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Pioneers of Mount Gambier & DistrictPrint Page 
The monument commemorates the pioneers of Mount Gambier and District.
The peak of the extinct Mount Gambier crater was sighted in 1800 by Lieutenant James Grant from the survey brig, HMS Lady Nelson, and named for Lord James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet.
The Henty brothers who owned large holdings in Portland, Western Victoria, laid claim to the land but were forced to retreat when the lands were granted to Evelyn Sturt, the brother of the explorer Charles Sturt. Industries soon began to appear. The Post Office opened on 22 September 1846, John Byng built the Mount Gambier Hotel in 1847, and Dr Edward Wehl arrived in 1849 to begin a flour-milling operation Hastings Cunningham founded "Gambierton" in 1854 by subdividing a block of 77 acres (31 ha). From 1861 to 1878 the Post Office was known by this name before reverting to Mount Gambier.
Local government appeared in 1863 when Dr Wehl, who now owned a substantial millhouse on Commercial Road, was elected chairman of the District Council of Mount Gambier. In December 1864 this became the District Council of Mount Gambier West and, at the same time, a separate District Council of Mount Gambier East was formed.
Incorporation in 1876 saw a further division, with the creation of the Town Council and Mr. John Watson elected Mayor.
Location
| Address: | John Watson Drive & Riddoch Highway, Mount Gambier, 5290 |
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| State: | SA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.842666 Long: 140.7774 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | Landscape |
| Sub-Theme: | Settlement |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Monday 16th October, 1967 |
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Pioneer Memorial
In honour of the pioneers of Mount Gambier and surrounding Districts
What mean ye by these stones
Joshua 4: 6,7 and 19 - 24
This monument was unveiled by H. L. Billing Esq.
President of the Adelaide - Mount Gambier Club
October 16th 1967
