Government House, Adelaide
Encyclopedia
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
on the corner of North Terrace
North Terrace, Adelaide
North Terrace is one of the four terraces that bound the central business and residential district of the city of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It runs east-west, along the northern edge of the CBD.-North Side of North Terrace:...
and King William Road
King William Street, Adelaide
King William Street is the part of a major arterial road that traverses the CBD and centre of Adelaide . It was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after King William IV, the then reigning monarch, who died within a month...
, is the official residence of the Governor of South Australia.
History
The original 'Government Hut' was a thatched hut constructed by the seamen of the HMS Buffalo. Governor Hindmarsh wrote in May 1837 I have but one end of my mud hut finished an all my family lay on the floor of one room while two smaller ones serve for Mrs. H., myself and a female servant.When Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
George Gawler
George Gawler
-External links: – Memorials and Monuments in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK...
replaced John Hindmarsh
John Hindmarsh
Rear-Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh KH RN was a naval officer and the first Governor of South Australia, from 28 December 1836 to 16 July 1838.-Early life:...
in 1838, he abandoned plans for a permanent house of timber and gave directions for the erection of a new building of masonry to cost £4,000 - if possible, but not to exceed £5,000.
A plan had been obtained from an English architect, Edward O'Brien, but this was amended by George Strickland Kingston
George Strickland Kingston
Sir George Strickland Kingston arrived in South Australia on the Cygnet in 1836. He was the Deputy Surveyor to William Light, engaged to survey the new colony of South Australia.-Early life:...
, who had come to South Australia as an assistant to the Surveyor General, William Light
William Light
Colonel William Light was a British military officer and the first Surveyor-General of the Colony of South Australia...
, and who had had some experience in architecture and building. When Kingston received tenders for the proposed work they were in the vicinity of £7,000. After further amendment of the plans to reduce the cost, a contract was let to the builders, Messrs East and Breeze.
St. Mark's College (University of Adelaide)
St Mark's College is a co-residential college in North Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1925, it is affiliated with the Anglican Church of Australia, yet accepts individuals from all faiths...
, Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide, which was first occupied in mid-1839. When completed, Government House consisted of the present main Drawing Room, Morning Room, Small Dining Room, and upstairs there were three bedrooms, a dressing room and two small servants' rooms.
After Governor Gawler was recalled to England in 1841, partly because of his "extravagant" building programs, his successors Mr. George Grey
George Edward Grey
Sir George Grey, KCB was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony , the 11th Premier of New Zealand and a writer.-Early life and exploration:...
and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Holt Robe
Frederick Robe
Major-General Frederick Holt Robe CB was the fourth Governor of South Australia, from 25 October 1845 to 2 August 1848....
found it necessary to spend the least possible amount on the house.
Governors, their families and house guests make use of all the upstairs rooms.
Summer residences
Governors formerly used a summer residenceSummer house
A summer house or summerhouse has traditionally referred to a building or shelter used for relaxation in warm weather. This would often take the form of a small, roofed building on the grounds of a larger one, but could also be built in a garden or park, often designed to provide cool shady places...
in the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
to escape the heat of the Adelaide Plains. Two buildings were used for this purpose. The first of these, Old Government House
Old Government House, South Australia
The Old Government House of South Australia is a historic building located in Belair National Park. It was the summer residence of the Governor of South Australia from 1860-1880, and was used by governors Richard Graves MacDonnell and Dominick Daly...
, was built in Belair National Park
Belair National Park
Belair National Park is a national park in South Australia , 13 km south of Adelaide, covering an 835ha area. It was proclaimed in 1891 and was the first National Park in South Australia, second in Australia and the tenth in the world...
in 1860. In 1880, this building was superseded by a larger residence at Marble Hill
Marble Hill, South Australia
Marble Hill was the Vice-Regal summer residence for the Governor of South Australia from 1880 to 1955. It is also the name of a district of the Adelaide Hills Council, named after the residence and in which the residence is located...
near Norton Summit
Norton Summit, South Australia
Norton Summit is a town in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, located approximately 12km east of the city of Adelaide...
, until it was destroyed in the Black Sunday
Black Sunday (1955)
The Black Sunday Bushfires of 1955 were a series of bushfires that broke out across South Australia on 2 January, 1955. Extreme morning temperatures coupled with strong north-westerly winds contributed to the breakout of numerous fires in the Adelaide Hills, Jamestown, Waterloo, Kingston and...
Bushfire of 1955. Subsequently, the Governor was not provided with a summer residence.
Grounds
Government House is located in magnificent well kept grounds which are periodically used for important public ceremonies.Examples of these include:
- Presentation of Year 12 Merit certificates
- Presentation of Queen's Scout and Queen's Guide awards
- Work in progess
Location
Government House is surrounded by prominent public buildings, statues and memorials.Work in progess:
- North Terrace, AdelaideNorth Terrace, AdelaideNorth Terrace is one of the four terraces that bound the central business and residential district of the city of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It runs east-west, along the northern edge of the CBD.-North Side of North Terrace:...
- Jubilee 150 WalkwayJubilee 150 WalkwayThe Jubilee 150 Walkway, also variously known as the Jubilee 150 Commemorative Walk, the Jubilee 150 Walk, and the Jubilee Walk, is a series of 150 bronze plaques set into the pavement of North Terrace, Adelaide. It was officially opened on 21 December 1986...
- Torrens Parade GroundTorrens Parade GroundTorrens Parade Ground is situated by the River Torrens in Adelaide, South Australia.It is the location of South Australia's Vietnam War Memorial.-External links:*...
- South African War Memorial (South Australia)South African War Memorial (South Australia)The South African War Memorial is an equestrian memorial dedicated to the South Australians who served in the Second Boer War of 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902...
- National War Memorial (South Australia)National War Memorial (South Australia)The National War Memorial is a monument in the South Australian capital of Adelaide, commemorating those who served in the First World War. Opened in 1931, the memorial is located on the corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, in the heart of the central business district and adjacent to the...
See also
- Government Houses of AustraliaGovernment Houses of Australia-Current:Federal* Government House, Canberra, aka Yarralumla; Governor-General's Canberra residence* Admiralty House, Governor-General's Sydney residence* The Lodge, Canberra, Prime Minister's Canberra residence...
- Government Houses in the CommonwealthGovernment Houses of the British Empire and CommonwealthGovernment House is the name given to some of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by the occupant...
- Governors of South AustraliaGovernors of South AustraliaThe Governor of South Australia is the representative in the Australian state of South Australia of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. The Governor performs the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the Governor-General of Australia at the national level.In...