Mount Gambier, Australia

Mount Gambier's Blue Lake

Mount Gambier is a city of 23,282 people 2001 census which is, after Adelaide, the largest population centre in South Australia, it was named for Admiral James Gambier.

Located in the Lower South East region at 37.84° S 140.77° E, Mount Gambier is approximately five hours drive from both Adelaide and Melbourne and presents an ideal stop for travellers between these capital cities.

About

Mount Gambier
South Australia

Motto: Cura et Industria "By Care and Industry"
Nickname:	"Blue Lake City"
Geography
Area:	26.7km²
Coordinates:	37°84′ S 140°77′ E
Time Zone	UTC +9:30
Population
(2003)	23,558
Among Australian cities:
Density:	881.1 persons/km²
Political
Mayor:	Steve Perryman
Governing body:	Mount Gambier Council
City of Mount Gambier

The town's major industries are forestry, trucking and tourism.

A main draw card is its location upon the slopes of an extinct volcano of the same name, comprising several craters. One of these craters contains a vast lake of pure artesian drinking water which mysteriously changes with the seasons from winter grey to a shimmering azure blue, giving rise to its name the Blue Lake.

Another crater contains a water skiing lake, scenic picnic grounds and a wildlife walk, all facilities free to the public and enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

Within a half hour drive one can find the wineries of Coonawarra, underground caves, pine plantation tours, shipwreck beaches, excellent river fishing, and spring-fed ponds for scuba diving or snorkelling.

Government

Although Mount Gambier was first incorporated in 1876, local government dates back to 1863, when Dr Edward Wehl was elected chairman of the District Council of Mount Gambier. In December 1864 the District Council of Mount Gambier evolved into 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 a Mr. John Watson elected Mayor. Mount Gambier was governed in this fashion until 1932, when the District Council of East and West merged to form a single District Council of Mount Gambier once more.

On 9 December 1954, Mount Gambier was officially declared a city on the assent of the Governor of South Australia. 2004 marked the 50^th Anniversary of this declaration.

The City of Mount Gambier consists of a Mayor and ten councillors, five each elected from the East and West wards.

Notable Mount Gambiens

• Robert Helpmann