Proclamation Day Festivities @ The Old Gum Tree

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Fri 28 Dec 2012

What to do after the wow factor of Christmas has gone and you and the kids seek summer fun outdoors on what is also conveniently the Boxing day public holiday?

I speak of and highly suggest none other than Proclamation Day on the beach December 28, 1836 and the re-enactment and celebration of said historical day courtesy of the Holdfast Bay City Council (beware of parking officers on the day if you dare bring the motor - at least be early to give yourself a fighting chance!)



The buffalo and the new Governor, John Hindmarsh , has just arrived to claim ownership and tenancy of the New British Providence of South Australia, and if the residents could wait just a few weeks, a brand new Capital City of Adelaide. A brain and heart transplant of an aspiring movement advancing the notions of freedom, capitalism and the end of convict transportation.

Here on the beach, under the bent gum tree, a few words would be read by the secretary and media henchman, George Stevenson, the two of them about to launch a suicide campaign by advocating a fresh move of the town to their preferred seaside location of Encounter Bay. It was on for young and old and terse words would pass the lips of these auspicious birthers of antipodean liberty.

This the 176th re-enactment promises to be another grand occasion offering the public a chance to explore, experience and with any luck, gain some insight into the mystery of this back block colony, now simply called South Aussie.

Pack a picnic and your swimmers and imagine yourself there on that day under the famous gum tree, drinking a toast to the Governor, the new settlement and the plans of all those daring enough to embark on the four month journey across oceans and seas which finally found them here. Think of and thank Colonel William Light, the Surveyor General, who had the presence of mind to choose the most ideal and beautiful place to rest and settle these waves of hopeful emigrants.

After the arrivals were carried by sailors or ferried otherwise to the beach, it was a camp of sorts for quite a while before there was any point moving to the site of Adelaide, a six mile walk through undisturbed nature to an unseen location, their new home and city - Adelaide.

Here are the event details if you are still keen to have a fun day down the beach, take your wireless radio and earphones to listen to the cricket if the official stuff starts to hurt your ears.

The formal commemoration will begin at 9.00am.

Proclamation Day marks the reading of the Proclamation, which established the Government of the province of South Australia on 28 December 1836. Each year, the ceremony is re-enacted at the Old Gum Tree Reserve.

At the conclusion of the ceremony participants and the community are welcome to enjoy a community celebration.

Before you get too tipsy and bloated from the free feed, spare a thought for the original inhabitants who were displaced at the same time this celebration proceeded. The Letters Patent 1836 was designed to protect their patent land rights to their nations but was ignored in a rush for the prime real estate - a train wreck of two cultures colliding set to change this ancient paradise and forgotten land forever. Always remember and respect that South Australians are technically living on stolen land or in softer terms, we are old fashioned squatters!

Enjoy this not to be missed event, carry plenty of drinking water and don't forget to slip, slop and then slap!

#glenelg
#family
#history
#near_adelaide
#december
!date 28/12/2012 -- 28/12/2012
%wnadelaide