The Gloucester district was first visited by Robert Dawson, Chief Agent for the Australian Agricultural Company in 1826. Settlement occurred in the 1830s. The township of Gloucester was first established in 1855, primarily for sheep farming, however it became apparent that the land was not entirely suitable. The four main industries of the Gloucester area are: tourism, timber, cattle farming and more. The timber industry has been prevalent in Gloucester since the late 19th century, and it and cattle farming are still major industries in and around Gloucester; both dairy and beef cattle. In 1876, gold was discovered in Copeland, a small town north-west of Gloucester. Copeland became a large town of over inhabitants due to the gold discovery and the large number of red cedar trees. However, the population has since dwindled to a population of a few hundred. The Australian Agricultural Company was originally awarded mineral rights to between the Karuah River and the Manning River which covered the Gloucester district. The company employed surveyors in 1856-7 to undertake a trial survey for a railway between Port Stephens and Stroud and further north to the Manning River, passing what became Gloucester. At the time it was felt that with the "formidable obstructions" from ranges and rivers, a railway line would be impracticable and construction did not proceed, and coal mining was abandoned before it had commenced. In 1923, electricity came to Gloucester, New South Wales, The Gloucester Electric Supply Company Ltd. was formed by Fred Lowe. He was called to Gloucester by a syndicate to assist in the development of a Gloucester electric supply. He presented plans for a ‘turn key’ installation of the complete plant which was accepted by the syndicate. The shareholders in the new company were Fred Lowe and his brother Ernest Lowe, who jointly held the great majority of the shares, and a number of local people. There were many ups and downs, especially during 1929, the depression. In the middle 1930s, the State Government was offering subsidies for the construction of rural lines. The first rural line was along the Buckets Road and this was opened on 9 September 1938. Fred Lowe designed and surveyed the line exercising his expertise in surveying which he acquired whilst working in New Zealand as a young man. In 1943 the company’s 20-year franchise ended. However it was wartime and the Mid-Coast Council Council did not exercise its right to acquire the company’s assets and take over the electricity undertaking till 1 July 1946. Fred Lowe was employed by the council as its electrical engineer. He still persisted with rural line extensions and completed the Avon Valley line taking electricity to Stratford. He remained as council electrical engineer until he retired in 1951. At a farewell function the Shire President, Cr. J.N. Channon, said, "We cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr Lowe for what he has done for Gloucester." In 1995, Gloucester Coal, originally Stratford Coal, began mining in Stratford a small village south of Gloucester. The Stratford mine is now owned by Yancoal and is the only operating coal mine in the valley. In March 1972 the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler, VC and Lady Cutler toured the district and attended a formal Civic Reception at the Gloucester Bucketts Motel. For most of the twentieth century it boasted two cinemas in the main thoroughfare - Church Street: The Star, and the Majestic Theatre, that was built in the early 1920s. The Majestic permanently closed its doors circa 1980 and the building still stands, now redeveloped as a shopping arcade. The district's weekly newspaper is The Gloucester Advocate.
Events
Gloucester was the venue for the first Groovin' the Moo music festival held at the Gloucester Showground on 24 April 2005. The festival included well known musical acts such as Screaming Jets, Killing Heidi and Evermore. Although the festival has not returned to Gloucester, it has gone on to be an annual event held in regional areas across Australia.
Population
According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 2,390 people in Gloucester.
