Those with personal stories and historical insights about the Gawler Railway Line are invited to share their experiences as part of an initiative to establish a interpretive centre that honours its legacy.
In a bid to return a piece of the Gawler Station’s history - an iconic canopy that stood at the station for more than 130 years before the electrification of the line in 2012 – a local working group are working with State Government to bring what remains of the canopy and other significant artifacts back to the region.
Antique pieces such as designs, materials and photos from Gawler’s old locomotives, railways and station infrastructure will assist in forming a interpretive centre to preserve and celebrate the rich history.
Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, established the Working Party consisting of locals passionate about preserving the railway’s past to work with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport to access the options before seeking funding from Government to put a plan into action.
“One of the options was to reconstruct the original canopy, but after assessing the costs and condition of the original canopy materials, the Working Group concluded any reconstruction of the canopy would merely be a replica, as many of the original parts are no longer usable,” said Mr Piccolo.
“This realisation has prompted a shift in focus towards preserving the history through community engagement and storytelling to keep the spirit of the Gawler Railway alive for future generations.
“So, we’re calling on everyone who has a connection with our rails to share their stories - whether you worked in the industry, served in hospitality on the trains, or were a regular commuter with interesting tales.
“The frame for the Canopy, along with many aspects of the Gawler line, were manufactured at the James Martin Foundry as Gawler was once a leading manufacturing town, producing many locomotives and farming machinery.
“These stories, along with the items on show, will help form the interpretive centre, which aims to capture the essence of the railway’s past, from its opening in 1857 to its role in connecting communities and fostering local development.
Anyone with memories or artifacts related to the Gawler Railway line and station to contribute to this community-driven project can contact the Light Electorate Office by emailing light@parliament.sa.gov.au or calling 8522 2878.