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The Gloucester district was first visited by Robert Dawson, Chief Agent for the Australian Agricultural Company - or the A.A. Company as it was generally known as - in 1826. Settlement occurred in the 1830's. It was not until 1855 that the township of Gloucester was established. |
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The land was first used for raising sheep but it soon became obvious that climatic conditions were unsuitable for such a venture. Today cattle, dairy farming, timber and also tourism have become the major industries in the area.
In 1876 gold was discovered at Copeland, north-west of Gloucester township. Copeland grew to nearly 3,000 people - all looking for their fortune in gold - but from 1882 onwards yields and population dropped. Today, Copeland is seeing new life as the Mountain Maid Mine has been redeveloped as a tourist attraction.
It was in the early 1900's that building and industry developed in Gloucester. The School of Arts was built in 1904 and was shortly followed by the newspaper (the "Gloucester Advocate") in 1905 which is still being published today. In 1906 the Avon and Barrington Butter Factory was in operation, now trading as A.C.F. (Australian Co-operative Foods).
The following is an extract from "The Present State of Australia", by Robert Dawson. Published 1831 and cited in: "The Vale of Gloucester", by Eve Keane. Published 1952.
"It was with some impatience that I approached the high and rocky peaks which were elevated above the forest, like monuments in the wilderness, and which formed so remarkable a picture in this part of the colony."
"The country as we advanced became gradually more even and fertile, till at length we became upon a beautiful and rich flat of considerable extent, studded with the finest and most umbrageous apple trees I had yet seen. From this level the ground rose abruptly to an almost naked range of sandstone mountains, extending from west to east and which commenced near the spot at which we had approached them."
"Several peaks towered high above the range, like the turrets of a fortified palace, and on their tops grew a few stunted evergreens, giving to the whole the appearance of ivy-clad ruins. I perceived by the masses of dark foliage and shrubs, extending in a line at the foot of the range, that it was washed by a stream of no ordinary size for this colony; and at the place where I examined it I found a considerable volume of water rolling over a ledge of rocks which extended across the river. The loud murmuring of a rapid and refreshing stream in such a climate ... seemed for the moment, in the midst of such romantic scenery, like a species of enchantment."
"There appeared to be every variety of beauty here which nature could present to the eye upon so limited a scale. If the plaintive notes of the nightingale, and the gay carolling of the black bird could have been substituted for the harsh screeching of the cockatoos and the sharp grating chirps of the bell-birds, which are always found here by the side of the rivers, I know of nothing which could have been desired to render the spot more attractive. Near the banks of this rapid current, I pitched my tent although it was not more than one o'clock in the day, for I could not deny myself the gratification of passing a few hours in such a scene."
"The country on the banks of this river displayed a profusion of the richest herbage. The low grounds were everywhere bespangled with wild tares and buttercups, whose pink and yellow blossoms reminded me of an English meadow." |
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