Gawler River is a locality and former small town on the north bank of the Gawler River, west of the town of Gawler in South Australia. The Dawkins family (of whom M. B. Dawkins MLC was a member) established extensive farms in the early 19th century. The Dawkins' Newbold Stud is credited with being first to develop the Poll Dorset breed of sheep, which is one of Australia's most important sheep meat breeds.[2]
The Gawler River church, originally named "Stone Hill" was built in 1854, one of the earliest stone churches in the Gawler area.[3][4]
Gawler River Memorial Hall was erected in 1951, adjacent to the Methodist Church and cemetery.
^"Breed History". The Australian Poll Dorset Association. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
^"Church's 98th Anniversary". The Advertiser. Vol. 95, no. 29, 331. Adelaide, South Australia. 14 October 1952. p. 11. Retrieved 24 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.