Laura, South Australia
| Laura South Australia | |
|---|---|
  Laura | |
| Coordinates | 33°11′S 138°18′E / 33.183°S 138.300°ECoordinates: 33°11′S 138°18′E / 33.183°S 138.300°E |
| Population | 570 (2006)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 5480 |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Northern Areas Council |
| Region | Mid North |
| State electorate(s) | Stuart |
| Federal Division(s) | Grey |
Laura is a rural town in the Mid North - Southern Flinders Ranges region of South Australia, 12 km north of Gladstone on the Horrocks Highway and 40 km east of Port Pirie. It was named by pastoralist Herbert Bristow Hughes (ca.1821 – 18 May 1892) for his wife, Laura née White (ca.1829 – 5 January 1909).[2]
Laura is famous as the home of Golden North Icecream which has been manufactured in the town since 1923 (the factory being the biggest employer in the District), and was a boyhood home of poet C.J. Dennis, whose first poem was published in the Laura Standard newspaper.
Laura is administered by the Northern Areas Council, and is in the state electoral district of Stuart and the federal Division of Grey.
The Laura Community Development and Tourism Association Incorporated liaises with the Northern Areas Council in preserving the amenity of the rural centre, with the support of many volunteers in community projects. The LCDTA's major project is operating the community-owned Laura Caravan Park. Profits from the caravan park operations are then used for improvements in the township.
The Laura Folk Fair is a two-day event held in April every year. There is no admission fee which makes the Folk Fair a family friendly outing. A new event to the town is the Laura Country Music Festival. This will be held annually in July.[3]
References
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Laura (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
- ↑ "Memories of Laura". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 22 June 1932. p. 8. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ↑ LauraSA.com