Old Government House, South Australia

Old Government House is a historic building located in Belair National Park, South Australia, and was South Australia’s first official vice-regal summer residence of the Governor of South Australia from 1860-1880, and was used by governors Richard Graves MacDonnell (1855–62), Dominick Daly (1862-68) and William Jervois (1877–80). It was constructed from local sandstone, with the red-brick for the quoins sourced from the Blackwood brickworks, and a native timber shingle roof. The residence's indoor plunge-pool was reportedly the first in the colony.HistoryGovernment FarmWithin a few years of the settlement of South Australia, the colonial government decided to establish a "Government Farm" for the purpose of agisting horses and bullocks, and providing hay and fodder. The area chosen was the upper reaches of the Sturt River; In addition to its suitability as farmland, governor George Gawler thought the area would be ideal for the establishment of a summer residence. In July 1840, in a highly irregular transaction, thirteen surveyed sections of 80acres, plus 1000acres of rough country to the east were purchased. The sale was dubious in that it was paid by private promissory note, rather than through official government channels. Additionally, the sale document did not mention three of the 80 acre sections, nor the large section of rough country. When Gawler was replaced by George Grey in May 1841, the colony's finances were in considerable debt.