Gawler’s most powerful and influential people, see who made the list
It is SA’s oldest country town and Gawler remains full of powerful people. But who are they? Whether in political arenas, on sporting fields or property development – see the full list of Gawler’s most influential people.
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From local politicians to the head of the business development group, these people have helped shape Gawler into what it is today.
To help you understand who they are and the strings they pull, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the most influential and powerful in Gawler.
NICK HATELY
The headmaster of Trinity College continues to take the school to new heights with another expansion out in Roseworthy.
After taking over the role in the early 2010s, Mr Hately has seen the development of a new synthetic hockey turf in the region, as well as the school’s new award-nominated innovation centre.
He is also the father of GWS midfielder Jackson, who went to the school. Other notable sporting almuni include Group One-winning jockey Jamie Kah, Adelaide Crows player Wayne Milera and Test cricketers Ryan Harris and Travis Head.
KAREN REDMAN
The Gawler Mayor has made major changes to Gawler in her tenure, with the Gawler Civic Centre the crowning jewel at the moment.
Mrs Redman was re-elected unopposed for her current term, and she’s again to lead Gawler grow through the expansion into other council areas.
Mrs Redman is also currently campaigning to become the next president of the Local Government Association.
TONY PICCOLO
There’s not many people that live and breathe Gawler more than Member for Light Tony Piccolo.
Mr Piccolo attended Evanston Primary and Gawler High Schools before university.
He’s since been working for the Gawler region for decades, firstly as the Mayor of Gawler before becoming the Member for Light; helping deliver projects including the Gawler Line electrification, the Gawler East Link Road, and the introduction of traffic lights at the notorious Dalkeith and Main North Roads intersections.
Recently, Mr Piccolo has set up a committee to help the town through COVID.
He can also often be seen participating in the Gawler parkrun.
LOUISE DRUMMOND
Louise Drummond has been a significant hand helping businesses in Gawler thrive through the Gawler Business Development Group.
The chair of the GBDG mainly worked in marketing and sales prior to her work with the Gawler businesses, as well as working in the media.
The GBDG has grown, especially this year due to COVID-19, into helping more than 500 businesses survive the toughest times.
HENRY INAT
The chief executive of Gawler Council has been a key architect of one of South Australia’s biggest transformations — in Gawler.
Alongside Mayor Redman, Mr Inat has driven some of the biggest projects in the town in recent years, including the Gawler Civic Centre, the redevelopment of Walker Place and the incoming Gawler East Link Road.
He’s been in the chief executive role since 2013 and the next big job he’s looking to get his teeth stuck into is the controversial boundary reform proposal, which is currently in community consultation.
DAMIAN MCGEE
Gawler boasts plenty of pubs in the main street and its surrounds, and one of the most notable is The Exchange Hotel.
Damian McGee owns that pub and has done so for a number of years, while he also sponsors nearly every sporting organisation in the town.
Some of those clubs include the Willaston Football Club and the Gawler & District Tennis Association, which he also plays in.
The Exchange Hotel is one of the main homes of Gawler night life on the weekend, while the recent renovations with the Murray’s BBQ and Bar have become a major attraction.
MICK BRIEN
The long-serving president of the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association has helped guide the region’s strongest sporting body through some remarkable hurdles.
After first serving as the president of the Willaston Football Club, Mr Brien eventually moved onto the association’s board and now serves as president.
A number of the issues he’s had to face include the introduction of the salary cap, then the salary cap breach in 2018 at his old club, and now the COVID-19 struck season.
Mr Brien has done a terrific job by guiding the BLGFA during a series of difficult challenges, while maintaining the association’s incredible playing stocks and development.
WARWICK MITTIGA
The Arcadian Property chief executive has been leading the growth in Gawler East with the Springwood Estate development as its project director.
Springwood has been a major boost and the incoming Gawler East Link Road is only going to make it bigger.
With new shops, roads and growth, Mr Mittiga has helped the expansion of Gawler significantly, with over 2000 homes set for the estate by completion.
PATRICIA DENT
Ms Dent does an incredible amount in the Gawler community, in particular her work with the Gawler Show.
Each year, Ms Dent and her committee goes above and beyond to enhance the experience for showgoers.
She was also an inaugural member of the Gawler Health Foundation, in 2006 was awarded and Order of Australia and was Citizen of the Year in 2010.
IAN TOOLEY
Rounding out our list of 10 of the most influential in town, the Gawler councillor could be considered a divisive figure, and is known to question anything he sees fit to deliver the best result for the community.
Not one to shy away from a confrontation, the former Gawler deputy mayor has strong community support behind him.
A former high school principal, he is often outspoken on the earth’s climate and the environment.