Pioneers SA Learning Hub

Exploring the early European settlement of South Australia from 1836 to 1846 and answering questions on the lives of people in South Australia's colonial past, what significant events happened during this time

Image reference: A temporary view of the country and the temporary erections near the site for the proposed town of Adelaide. Light, William (1837). State Library of SA B 10079.

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Pioneers SA celebrates our shared heritage and honour the achievements of south Australian pioneers. The blog provides links and resources to tell us the story of the early years of European settlement and colonisation in South Australia.

Government: Governing the Colony

1834: The South Australian Act founding the colony was passed by the British Parliament. Commissioners were appointed to plan the colony.

1836: Governor John Hindmarsh and other officials arrived on the HMS Buffalo. Hindmarsh proclaimed South Australia as a province at Holdfast Bay (by the old gum tree) on the 28th December.

An oil painting ‘Old Gum Tree at Glenelg’ by Jack Balitho, showing three huts adjacent to the tree. 1838 [State Library of South Australia SA B 44055.]
  • For the two years of the colony, South Australia was ruled by the Governor John Hindmarsh, and the resident Commissioner James Hurtle Fisher.
  • The Governor was responsible for law and order, providing public buildings, building roads and providing public services
  • The Commissioner controlled the sale of land, The money from sales was used to bring emigrants to the colony.
  • Fisher and Hindmarsh did not work together. Fisher refused to provide any land for government buildings. As the Governor had few funds, Hindmarsh could not provide adequate government buildings in the first two years of settlement.
Sir James Hurtle Fisher. A drawing from S. T. Gills “Head of the People”. Artists caption reads “All fish that/or comes to meet.” [State Library of South Australia B349]

1838: Governor Hindmarsh and Commissioner Fisher were both recalled to London.

  • Lieutenant Colonel George Gawler was appointed as both Governor and Resident Commissioner
Sir George Grey [State Library SA B 73315]

1841: George Edward Grey appointed Governor

1842: The second South Australia Act was assented to on 3 July 1842, repealing the Act of 1834 and giving all the powers to the Governor and a Legislative Council of at least seven members nominated by the Crown, subject to the Colonial Secretary.

See more about the early years of government at: https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-41.html

The following website has the early documents relating to the history of Australia and South Australia : https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/

1845: Frederick Holt Robe appointed Governor

Governor Robe [State Library SA B 3753]

1848: Henry Fox Young appointed Governor

1855: Richard Graves MacDonnell appointed Governor

Sir R G MacDonnell [State Library SA B11112]

1857: The Government of South Australia was formed, making South Australia a self-governing colony, rather than being a province governed from Britain.

For information on the history of the South Australian Parliament have a look at: https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/History

Constitution Act 1856 (SA) : https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-42.html

Old Parliament House, North terrace incorporates the work of three important colonial architects: William Bennett Hays, Edward Angus Hamilton and Edward John Woods. It was constructed between 1843 and 1875. Between 1856 and 1868 additions and alterations were made. [State Library SA B7448]

From William Ewens’ letters

William Ewens, with his wife Sarah and three children arrived in South Australia on the ship the Prince Regent on the 25th September 1839. He wrote letters to his family and friends in England.

These are extracts from his letters. William frequently ignored punctuation so his sentences could be very long. There were often spelling mistakes.

Letter 1

“Adelaide South Australia

30th October 1840

Dear Friend

——– this is really a beutiful Country and everything seems to be going on now in a proper manner and cultivating the land in all directions we shall soon have an election of Alderman and town Councillors.”

Letter 2

“Adelaide, Rundle Street. Acre 80

August 11th 1842.

Dear Brother and Sister,

—— I have had a very good business but am rather dull at present The Stupid Governor the home Government has sent out here is ruining the place, taxing us both on land and waster insomuch that he is driving all our shipping from visiting our shores.’

William is referring to Governor Grey.

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