Walkerville, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Walkerville is a suburb of Adelaide
, South Australia
. It lies just north east of the city centre, about 4 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO.
who took up land in the district in 1838, two years after the first colonists arrived in South Australia.The area was attractive to early settlers and within a few years, the settlement had become a village. During the 1840s, Walker fell victim to over-speculation in land value and a state-wide financial depression. He was imprisoned briefly for debt and in 1849 he left the colony to take up a government position in Hobart
. His connection with the state, although brief, is remembered in the naming of the suburb.
Walkerville Post Office opened on 1 January 1896 and Walkerville District Council was established in 1855 after a petition by local residents proclaimed a desire to break away from the larger Yatala District Council (proclaimed in 1853). Initially, only the suburbs of Walkerville and Gilberton
seceded from Yatala but within a few months, Medindie and (what was) Walkerville North were included also. The district boundaries remained unchanged until 1970 when Vale Park
was added.
Early council meetings were held in a room at the local pub, the Sussex Arms, until 1893 when the foundation stone for the present Town Hall was laid on Walkerville Terrace. In 1908, the Institute Library was founded in a small room opposite the municipal offices. In 1963, it became incorporated as a Public Library and in 1970 it moved into dedicated quarters next door where the old Walkerville Police Station had been.
There are two primary schools in Walkerville: St Andrew's School was founded in 1850 and Walkerville Primary School was founded in 1884.
is Walkerville's local government area, named after Walkerville itself. Being an inner north eastern suburb, Walkerville lies in the state electoral district of Adelaide
as well as the federal electoral division of Adelaide
.
The current mayor of Walkerville is Heather Wright, elected in 2010.
The council wards of Walkerville are : Medindie / Gilberton (3 councillors), Walkerville (2 councillors), Vale Park (3 councillors)
headmaster, Reverend T. P. Wilson. In 1850 the church’s first resident reverend, Reverend John Watson, arrived. The original building was only 12 metres long and was subject to much renovation in the second half of the 19th century. In 1857 a sanctuary and transepts were added, and in 1886 the original building was replaced by a longer nave. A tower was also added, whose bells can still be heard among the streets of Walkerville to this day.
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...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. It lies just north east of the city centre, about 4 kilometres from the Adelaide GPO.
History
Walkerville was named after Captain John Walker R. N.Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who took up land in the district in 1838, two years after the first colonists arrived in South Australia.The area was attractive to early settlers and within a few years, the settlement had become a village. During the 1840s, Walker fell victim to over-speculation in land value and a state-wide financial depression. He was imprisoned briefly for debt and in 1849 he left the colony to take up a government position in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. His connection with the state, although brief, is remembered in the naming of the suburb.
Walkerville Post Office opened on 1 January 1896 and Walkerville District Council was established in 1855 after a petition by local residents proclaimed a desire to break away from the larger Yatala District Council (proclaimed in 1853). Initially, only the suburbs of Walkerville and Gilberton
Gilberton, South Australia
Gilberton is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia on the northern bank of the River Torrens a short distance from Adelaide’s city centre. It is bounded by the river, Park terrace, Stephen Terrace and Northcote Terrace. The suburb is largely residential with some large and ornate Victorian homes...
seceded from Yatala but within a few months, Medindie and (what was) Walkerville North were included also. The district boundaries remained unchanged until 1970 when Vale Park
Vale Park, South Australia
Vale Park is a suburb of Adelaide in the Town of Walkerville. It was originally a private subdivision named after Vale House, the home of Philip Levi, a pastoral pioneer. -References:...
was added.
Early council meetings were held in a room at the local pub, the Sussex Arms, until 1893 when the foundation stone for the present Town Hall was laid on Walkerville Terrace. In 1908, the Institute Library was founded in a small room opposite the municipal offices. In 1963, it became incorporated as a Public Library and in 1970 it moved into dedicated quarters next door where the old Walkerville Police Station had been.
There are two primary schools in Walkerville: St Andrew's School was founded in 1850 and Walkerville Primary School was founded in 1884.
Governance
Today, the Town of WalkervilleTown of Walkerville
The Corporation of the Town of Walkerville is a small Local Government Area in the central suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.-Suburbs:*Gilberton *Medindie *Vale Park *Walkerville -External links:...
is Walkerville's local government area, named after Walkerville itself. Being an inner north eastern suburb, Walkerville lies in the state electoral district of Adelaide
Electoral district of Adelaide
Adelaide is an electorate for the South Australian House of Assembly which includes Adelaide's central business district and suburbs in the inner north and inner north east...
as well as the federal electoral division of Adelaide
Division of Adelaide
The Division of Adelaide is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. The division was created in 1903 and is named for the city of Adelaide, South Australia's capital. The seat has always been based in the inner suburbs of Adelaide...
.
The current mayor of Walkerville is Heather Wright, elected in 2010.
The council wards of Walkerville are : Medindie / Gilberton (3 councillors), Walkerville (2 councillors), Vale Park (3 councillors)
Historical buildings
Walkerville is home to many historical buildings. One such building, which features on Walkerville’s Seal of Office, is St Andrew’s Church. Construction for the church began in 1847 and was completed the following year. The church was initially without a permanent reverend, the congregation relying on the services of the St Peter's CollegeSt Peter's College, Adelaide
St Peter's College, , is an independent boy's school in the South Australian capital of Adelaide...
headmaster, Reverend T. P. Wilson. In 1850 the church’s first resident reverend, Reverend John Watson, arrived. The original building was only 12 metres long and was subject to much renovation in the second half of the 19th century. In 1857 a sanctuary and transepts were added, and in 1886 the original building was replaced by a longer nave. A tower was also added, whose bells can still be heard among the streets of Walkerville to this day.