Gum Creek, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gum Creek South Australia
Gum Creek Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5417
LGA(s)	Regional Council of Goyder
State electorate(s)	Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Gum Creek: Hilltown Leighton Leighton Hilltown Gum Creek Burra Hill River Farrell Flat Hanson
Footnotes	Coordinates

Gum Creek is a small rural area located in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is part of the Regional Council of Goyder. This place officially got its boundaries in August 2000. However, people had been using the name "Gum Creek" for a very long time before that.

The area is named after the original Gum Creek pastoral property. A pastoral property is a large area of land used for raising livestock like sheep or cattle. This property was huge, stretching from Farrell Flat all the way to Mount Bryan. The main house of this property was actually located right in the Gum Creek area we know today.

Over the years, some important people owned the Gum Creek property. Sir Walter Hughes was one owner, and later Sir John Duncan took over. These were well-known figures in the region.

Early Buildings

The Ironmine Church

A church for the Primitive Methodist faith opened in October 1871. It was built at a place called "Iron Mine, Gum Creek." The builders, J. & T. Pearce of Kooringa, constructed it for about £140.

This church became known as the Ironmine Methodist Church. In 1923, a Sunday school was added there. The church celebrated its 75th birthday in April 1946. However, the church closed its doors in 1974. After closing, the building was changed into a house.

Gum Creek School

Gum Creek School first opened its doors in 1898. It taught local children for many years before closing in 1957. Before this official school, a teacher named Mr. Rogers ran a day school. He taught children in the Gum Creek Chapel during the 1870s. The building that was used for the later school still stands today, but it is no longer in good condition.

Communication and Community

Post and Telephone Services

A telephone office started operating in Gum Creek on May 1, 1926. Just two days later, on May 3, 1926, it also became a place where people could pick up their mail, called a postal receiving office. It was then upgraded to a full post office on July 1, 1927. This post office served the community until it closed on March 13, 1953.

Local Sports

In the past, Gum Creek was a lively place with its own sports teams. The community had teams for tennis, football, and cricket. These teams helped bring people together and provided fun activities for the residents.