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Donovans
South Australia
Glenelg River View(GN08541).jpg
Big Tree, ca. 1932
Donovans is located in South Australia
Donovans
Donovans
Location in South Australia
Established 1947 (town)
31 October 1996 (locality)
Postcode(s) 5291
Location
LGA(s) District Council of Grant
Region Limestone Coast
County County of Grey
State electorate(s) Mount Gambier
Federal Division(s) Barker
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
19.0 °C
66 °F
8.2 °C
47 °F
708.4 mm
27.9 in
Localities around Donovans:
Caroline Caroline Munbannar
Wye Donovans Nelson
Wye Wye Nelson
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.

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.
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