Gerard Community Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerard Community CouncilSouth Australia |
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Location of the Gerard Community Council in blue
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| Population | 96 (2006) |
| • Density | 1.118/km2 (2.90/sq mi) |
| Established | 1974 |
| Area | 85.9 km2 (33.2 sq mi) |
| Council seat | Winkie |
| Region | Murray and Mallee |
| State electorate(s) | Chaffey |
| Federal Division(s) | Barker |
The Gerard Community Council is a special kind of local government area in South Australia. It is run by Indigenous Australians and is found in a region called The Riverland. A local government area helps manage local services for people living there.
This community relies on the River Murray for things like growing plants and raising animals. People in Gerard also make and sell traditional crafts to visitors. This helps their local economy.
Contents
History of the Gerard Community
Starting the Mission
The Gerard area began as a mission in 1945. A group called the United Aborigines Mission bought over 5,000 acres (20 km2) of land. This land was located downriver from Loxton.
The Gerard mission took the place of an older mission at Swan Reach. People living at Swan Reach were moved to the new Gerard mission. There was a lot of hope for the new mission. Experts thought the land was good for farming.
Early Days and Farming
A district adviser named CG Grasby gave a good report on the land. He provided plans for watering crops and planting. They started by planting 300 grape vines.
Buildings for the mission came from old places. Pre-made huts were brought from an old Army camp. Other parts came from a Woodcutters’ Camp at Loveday. The Gerard Mission school opened in 1946. This happened after the school at Swan Reach had closed.
People and Self-Sufficiency
Besides people from Swan Reach, some Indigenous Australians came from Ooldea. Ooldea is in the far west of South Australia. The goal was for the community to be self-sufficient. This means they could provide for themselves.
They cleared a lot of land and planted citrus and stone fruit trees. They also raised herds of sheep and cows. However, the community never fully reached its goal of being self-sufficient.
Community Control
By 1946, the Aboriginal residents gained more say in their community. They formed their own council. This council helped with welfare and social activities. A government superintendent still managed things overall.
In 1974, the land was given to the Aboriginal Lands Trust. After this, the Gerard community ran itself with its own full council.
In the late 1980s, the Gerard community started making traditional crafts again. They used old records and the work of people like Edward Eyre to help them.
