What is a gazette?
A gazette is an official publication for the purpose of notifying the actions and decisions of the government.
Notices published in government gazettes cover all aspects of government concern and regulation, and most are published because of a requirement of law. Acts, regulations and other subordinate legislation are notified in all gazettes or in full as part of the notification.
What you might find in a gazette
Gazettes contain some surprising information:
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proclamations which bring Acts into operation
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Public Service vacancies, appointments and promotions
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government tenders
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land notices: acquisition, disposal and transfers of property, leases granted
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lists of awards, honours, medals
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electoral notices
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government orders of various kinds
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private notices of a legal nature e.g. bankruptcies, company registrations and windings-up, probate, by-laws of companies under royal charter
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government purchasing matters
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local government matters
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registers of medical professionals
What is the best way to start looking for government notices in a gazette?
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Start with what you know - for example a person's name, occupation, dates, land tenures.
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Know the name of the Act.