Donovans, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DonovansSouth Australia |
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![]() Big Tree, ca. 1932
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Established | 1947 (town) 31 October 1996 (locality) |
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Postcode(s) | 5291 | ||||||||||||||
Location |
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LGA(s) | District Council of Grant | ||||||||||||||
Region | Limestone Coast | ||||||||||||||
County | County of Grey | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Mount Gambier | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Barker | ||||||||||||||
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Footnotes | Coordinates Locations Climate Adjoining localities |
Donovans is a small place in South Australia. It's located in the south-east part of the state, right on the Glenelg River. This river also forms part of the border with Victoria.
Donovans is about 403 kilometers south-east of Adelaide, which is the capital city of South Australia. It's also only 26 kilometers south-east of the city of Mount Gambier.
Contents
Discovering Donovans: A Small Town's History
Donovans has an interesting past. Before it became the place we know today, it was called 'Donovan's Landing'. This was a spot where people would land boats on the river.
How Donovans Got Its Name
The name 'Donovans' was officially approved in 1942. It came from a private land area that was divided up for homes. This division of land happened around 1947, which is when the town was officially established. Later, in 1996, the boundaries for the area were set, keeping the well-known name 'Donovans'.
Exploring the Geography of Donovans
Donovans is special because it sits right on the border with Victoria. The Glenelg River actually loops through the area.
River and Nature in Donovans
The main part of Donovans, where people live, is on the west side of the river. But the land on the east side of the river is a protected area. It's called the Lower Glenelg River Conservation Park. This park helps protect the beautiful nature and wildlife in the area.
What Donovans is Like
In 1926, a newspaper called The Register described Donovans. They said the scenery around the Glenelg River was "very fine."
Beautiful River Views
The newspaper mentioned that the cliffs along the river rise high out of the water. They also said the trees and plants create a "charming spectacle," meaning it's a very pretty sight.
The Mystery of the Tantanoola Tiger
The newspaper article also talked about something very curious: the stuffed body of the original 'Tantanoola Tiger'. This "tiger" was actually a large dog that caused a lot of excitement in the area many years ago. It was shot by a man named Mr. Tom Donovan and was a big attraction for visitors.
Life and Government in Donovans
Most of the land in Donovans is used for agriculture, like farming. However, the main settlement area is set aside for homes.
How Donovans is Governed
Donovans is part of a few different government areas:
- It's in the federal Division of Barker. This is how people in Donovans vote for their representatives in the national government.
- It's also in the state electoral district of Mount Gambier. This is for voting in the state government elections.
- Locally, it's part of the District Council of Grant. This council helps manage local services and rules for the area.