And most people who live in the town and nearby areas have affectionate memories of the old building. Because Gawler Institute has been the cultural and social centre of the town for 126 years.
Whether it be memories of being squashed into a tightly packed crowd for end-of-school 11 concerts in century heat, listening to a Thomas Edmonds concert, or attending a public meeting or dance, Gawlerites feel deeply about it. The Institute is "very Gawler".
No-one denies there are problems - the steep - stairs are an impossible hurdle for some elderly people the kitchen area at the side of the hall is quaintly "country" and the lack of air-conditioning means facilities are inadequate for today's patrons. But many people are very committed to the Institute, spending hours repairing and updating, and many committee hours are spent planning and budgeting for further improvements.
I was taken on a tour of the Institute by Dr. Eastick and Councillor Warren Dibben, who is chairman of the Institute Committee. Warren has a special interest in the archive section, and we started downstairs where eventually the town's historic artefacts will be properly housed.
For many years there has been quiet achievement taking place in the lower level, where saltdamp and rotting woodwork have taken their toll. Extensive work has included new suspended ceilings, installation of modern electncal wiring, painting, and clearing out of decades of debris.
Underneath the reading room, a large room once was was the meeting place for the Buffalo Lodge. St. John Ambulance service, Gawler Players and Apex all held their meetings there at different times, before it became unsafe.
In 1890 librarian Beasley was appointed with a house in the basement (rent fee). He lived there until 1918 when he purchased a home in Jacob street where the Christmas tree is situated.
There are long term plans to set the kitchen up the way it was when it was a home, with an old kettle on the wood stove, and using the pots and pans and butter churn that now sit covered in cobwebs.
Another room will house the archives - at present there are piles of old framed photos and documents and books, awaiting cases, shelving and cupboards to display them. They are cared for by a team of conservers, but it is a daunting task.
We wandered up stairs and Dr. Eastick explained the dilemma ofthe balancing act facing the Gawler Council and the Institute committee Ñ whether to put money into an elevator or into preservation and display of archival material.
The most obvious improvement is the stunning new floor in the main hall. Cost was shared between Council and the Institute committee, which raised funds through hiring out the facilities, and other social events.
The acoustics have been improved by the addition of fabric covered panels around the walls, and the 500 new chairs provide comfortable seating. Air-conditioning will be installed, and plans are afoot for the complete modernisation of the kitchen annexe including bar facilities, toilets, and dressing rooms.
All service clubs in the town have contributed to the upgrade of the Institute-Apex redecorated the High street hall, Rotary painted the interior of the hall in 1955, and the Lions Club started their restoration project five years ago.
Until about 1930 the Institute hall was a picture theatre, with an elevated floor at the back of the hall for better viewing. Dr. Eastick and Warren showed me the old projection room with its old powerboard for the projector, and walls painted black, covered in names of many Gawler identities.
In 1919 a balcony was added to the original building (to commemorate the 1914 to 1918 war) and in 1959 Mrs. Lewis Ey donated the flagpole. But not everyone treats the Gawler Institute with the respect it deserves. The Roll of Honour for men who served in the first world war is to be restored, but 13 names have been removed from it by vandals. "There used to be a ticket box there, just inside the front door," Dr. Eastick told me.
The old building has stood the test of time as an icon of Gawler for over 120 years. Thanks to the dedication of people like the Gawler Institute Committee and many service club members, it will remind coming generations of the distinctive architectural style of the 1900's.