About Us...
What we do
The Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc. is a 'not for
profit' organisation which supports the South Australian Government
in promoting and preserving the Adelaide Gaol as an educational
museum, a major tourist attraction and a valuable part
of South Australia's heritage.
The Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society is run entirely by volunteers.
The Society conducts the original and authentic Gaol Tours and is
not affiliated with any privately run Gaol tour operators.
The Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Committee of Management also
assists the Gaol Management in recruiting and training volunteer guides,
assisting with maintenance, promoting and publicising the Gaol and
funding projects approved by the committee.
Who we are
Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society 2011-2012 committee members:
President - Penny Wilkinson
Vice President - Jeff Fausch
Secretary - Trevor Porter
Treasurer - Trevor Porter
Committee - Davina Cutchie, Helen Hann, Krystal O'Neil, James Perriman
and Sarah Vockins.
What we, the AGPS Volunteers, have achieved
When The Adelaide Gaol closed as a working prison in 1988 the then
State Heritage Branch called for volunteers to act as guides in a
trial public opening of the Gaol. This opening was a success and,
as a result, it was decided that public tours of the Gaol should continue.
Two of the original volunteers from the first open days approached
the Heritage Branch and proposed that a society be formed to assist
in operating the Gaol. This was agreed and The Adelaide Gaol Preservation
Society Inc. came into being on the 9th April 1989. For the next three
and a half years the gaol was operated solely by the Society and in
1992 the Department appointed a Manager for the Gaol.
In those early days the volunteers, with very little in the way of
funding, cleaned, repaired, painted and set up displays, organised
information boards and overhauled as many areas of the Gaol as possible.
They applied for 'grants' to aid them in their work and accepted,
when offered, donations from interested parties.
Government funding became less and less and the Gaol started to show
signs of neglect and disrepair. During this time the Society continued
to care for the Gaol, resorting to fund raising events to pay for
repairs and upkeep in an effort to keep the Gaol open for the public.
The Society has achieved much during this period, such as opening
and running the Gaol shop, recruiting and training guides and volunteers,
organising guided tours, sourcing artefacts and information about
the Gaol and advising the Government on policies and procedures for
preserving the Gaol and the uses to which it may be put.
The relationship between the Department of Environment and Heritage,
as the Heritage Branch had become, and the Adelaide Gaol Preservation
Society Inc. became strained when a rumour was leaked that the Gaol
would close. The Society strongly opposed this and initiated talks
with DEH heads and government personnel. Eventually our voice was
heard resulting in the then Minister (Gail Gago) announcing that the
Gaol would not be closing.
In late 2007, much to the Society's relief, Government funding was
increased enabling maintenance and repair work to begin. Since then,
the Society's relationship with the Department has improved considerably
and once again we are working together to showcase this heritage jewel
to the public. Of course there is still much to be done and we will
always be endeavouring to overcome Government budget constraints.
Become a Volunteer and help support us
The Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society's volunteers are proud of
the role they have played in the Gaol's recent history.
These ongoing activities are dependent on various public donations
and grants. In addition, all purchases (books, souvenirs and refreshments)
from our shop assist the AGPS to continue their work in preserving
the Gaol for future generations.
Note: The following information is no longer
valid as DEWNR Management have forced the AGPS from the Adelaide Gaol.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Society is always looking to recruit additional volunteers to
assist with their important work. Opportunities exist for tour guides,
shop assistants, trades people and many other vocations.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, simply download and
complete a copy of the Volunteer
Application Form.
Please contact us
if you would like any additional information.
Newsletter
The Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc. publishes a monthly newsletter
which is circulated to all volunteers and interested parties.
Please contact us
if you would like to receive a copy of our newsletter.
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