A chance meeting between Gawler Mayor, Karen Redman and Mrs Patricia Booth at a History Month event at St Peters two years ago has led to a major historical project that honours the life and times of the first Labor Member of Parliament for the Gawler area.

Last Thursday, the EH (Ephraim Henry) Coombe historic walk was launched by Mayor Redman in the presence of the descendants of Mr Coombe, including Mrs Booth and Mrs Helen Hennessey who has co-ordinated the project.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said EH Coombe was a Labor Member of Parliament from 1915-18.

“EH Coombe was highly respected by the community for the enormous contribution he made, not only as a Member of Parliament, but also as editor of the local Bunyip newspaper for about 24 years,” Mr Piccolo said.

“EH used his influence in the community to champion many social causes in an endeavour to create a fairer and more just society.”

Mr Coombe initially entered parliament as a member for the Liberal Union, but when it merged with the more conservative parties, he fell out of favour, and joined the then fledgling, United Labor Party.

The United Labor Party was the forerunner to the modern Australian Labor Party and opened a sub-branch in Gawler on 13 November 1908.

His social causes included temperance, votes for women, and during WW1, the defence of people with a German heritage.

“Controversially, he opposed conscription and the closure of Lutheran schools,” said Mr Piccolo. “EH was certainly a man who believed in a just and a fair go for all,” he said.

The historic walk around Gawler and Willaston is about 4 kms in length and takes approximately 1.5 hours to cover.

The walk includes places where EH Coombe had a direct or indirect association, including local churches, schools and places where he worked or did business.

Mr Piccolo said EH Coombe’s contribution to the wellbeing of the Gawler and Barossa community is not well known and this walk will hopefully change that.

There will be two guided tours of the walk in May as part of the History Month celebrations in Gawler.

Mrs Helen Hennessy is taking the registrations for these walks.

Further details can be found at http://historyfestival.sa.gov.au/content/gawlers-eh-coombe-walking-tour

There is a publication planned to be launched in August 2017. A compilation of the research documents from this project to be lodged with the Gawler Heritage Collection.