Page 355 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

ADELAIDE  353

. State Dining Room VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Sir Henry loved to
entertain, and lavish Practical Information
dinners were often held 288 North Terrace, Adelaide.
here. It boasts a hand- Tel (08) 8223 1234.
painted ceiling, grained Open 10am–4pm Tue–Fri;
woodwork and the 1–4pm Sat, Sun & public hols.
original gas-lamp Closed Mon, Good Fri, 25 Dec.
chandeliers. & 8 = 7 ground floor only.
∑ ayershousemuseum.org.au
Transport
@ 99c (free).

Front entrance

The story of Sir Henry Ayers
Sir Henry Ayers (1821–97) was born in
Hampshire, England, the son of a dock
worker. He married in 1840 and, a month
later, emigrated with his bride to South
Australia. After working briefly as a clerk,
Ayers made his fortune in the state’s
new copper mines. Entering politics in
1857, he was appointed South Australia’s
Premier seven times between 1863 Statesman and businessman,
and 1873, and was President of the Sir Henry Ayers
Legislative Council, 1881–93. Among
many causes, he supported exploration of the interior (Ayers Rock,
now Uluru, was named after him), but is chiefly remembered for
his prominent role in the development of South Australia.