The Mount Gambier
History Group Inc. story

The Mount Gambier History Group Inc. was established in 1985 under it’s original name of The Mount Gambier Heritage Society Inc, which remained until 1999 before being renamed to the Mount Gambier Heritage and History Society Inc. until 2008 when the current name was taken.

The name changes reflect the history group’s evolving role within the Mount Gambier and wider communities. In 1985 the group was established with the goal of saving historically significant buildings within Mount Gambier, many of which were being lost to development.

As a result of this, in 1988 a series of brochures on walks and drives around Mount Gambier was launched. These were later revised and printed as booklets; “Mount Gambier Heritage Walks and Drives” and “Mount Gambier Crater Lakes Walks”.

The fledgling group met every two to three months in private homes for the first four years until the Sexton’s Cottage at Lake Terrace Cemetery became available in 1989. This building is still leased from the Mount Gambier City Council and is used for cemetery enquiries, when the history group present cemetery tours.

As time went on, members became interested in collecting and storing local and family history research. Many families donated their private research to the group and members starting doing research jobs for clients. This is reflected in the 1999 name change.

In February 2001 the Mount Gambier History Group Inc moved into the Reidy Park Centre on O’Halloran Terrace. Collections have grown to the extent that larger premises will soon be needed.

In 2008 it was deemed that the Group’s name was being confused with other local groups with similar names, hence the third name change in it’s 25 year history!