The Gawler Bunyip was founded on 5 September 1863 by
William Barnet on behalf of the Gawler Humbug Society. Claimed to be South Australia's earliest provincial
newspaper, the first edition landed publisher Barnet a libel conviction and a
damages bill of one shilling. Barnet's descendant, John Barnet, Bunyip
editor from 1975 to 2003, still officiates at the annual Humbug Club
luncheon at The Exeter Hotel in Adelaide's East End, assisted by Bunyip and DRINKSTER cartoonist, George Grainger Aldridge. This year's 150th affair went smoothly, apart from
an incident in which the author was rude to his former editor at The Independent
Weekly, Hendrik Gout, over a vino-political matter. The author apologised. That's Rosemary and John Barnet at the head of the table ... then, clockwise, Angela Gackle, George Grainger Aldridge, Jo Vallelonga, Elene Kontonikas, Hendrik Gout, Winston Head, Kay Head and Lester McKenzie ... photos Philip White, except for a couple by Winston Head ... Bunyip photo at top from from Gawler History.
To read of some of the barflies one may discover in The Ex, clink here.
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