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In this episode of Burnside Highlights we catch up with our Youth Development Officer Jess, who commenced her role last year as part of our ongoing efforts to provide increased activities and services for young people across the City of Burnside.

As per the most recent Census, two of the three largest age groups in the City of Burnside are the 10 – 14 and 15 – 19 age brackets, reflecting the growing youth population of our city.

Our next major youth event will be GeekFest at the Burnside Civic Centre on Saturday 12 April, which we are so excited to see you at! You can book your free tickets for GeekFest at www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Whats-On/Eventbrite/GeekFest-2025-1206001285309

In this episode we also share an important update about the future of the playground at the George Bolton Swimming Centre.

Get ready to unleash your inner nerd as GeekFest 2025 lands in the City of Burnside for an action-packed day of gaming, tech, cosplay and creativity! As part of SA Youth Week, this exciting event is a celebration of all things nerdy and there’s something for everyone.

For 22-year-old cosplayer Jacob (a.k.a @jacobmakes_), one of the featured guests, the joy of cosplay comes from the experience of being able to bring to life some of his favourite characters from gaming and film. ‘Being able to embody a different character and share that with other people is a really fun experience,’ Jacob said.

Jacob’s passion for craftsmanship is evident in his detailed creations, from his Spider-Man suits to his Warhammer 40K Commander Farsight armour, which took a staggering 700-800 hours to complete.

‘I try to do everything with a budget in mind as a university student. The main cost is hours.’

But thanks to 3D printing, which he has been refining his skills in for seven years, he’s able to create intricate costumes with incredible detail.

Beyond the costumes, GeekFest is about community. Jacob is an active member of Adelaide’s cosplay scene, attending Cosplay Club meetups across the city (@cos.play.club).

‘The cosplay community is very supportive and welcoming. Anyone from beginners to seasoned professionals can get involved.’

But it’s not just about cosplay. Jacob is most excited about the broader experiences GeekFest offers for Adelaide’s community.

‘We don’t have too many events compared to Melbourne and Sydney. We need more experiences like this for like-minded people to get out, interact and share this passion. Instead of just walking into a hall and wondering around, GeekFest gives you the chance to get involved, there will be so much to see and do.’

GeekFest 2025 is more than just an event - it’s an immersive experience filled with hands-on activities, interactive displays and the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts. Whether you're a hardcore gamer, an anime lover, or simply curious about the world of geek culture, this is your chance to dive in and explore.

Held at the Burnside Civic Centre on Saturday 12 April, 2 pm – 7pm. GeekFest is free to attend. Learn more at HERE.

*Some activities may require booking or have limited availability. See website for details.

Jacob in his Commander Farsight cosplay

Commander Farsight is a character from Warhammer 40K

Caroline Emily Clark (1825–1911) was a philanthropist and social reformer. Born in England, she migrated with her family in 1850, settling in Hazelwood Park. Inspired by her mother’s charitable work, Caroline Emily focused on improving the care of children living in institutions. She advocated for the boarding out system, inspired by a Scottish model, which sought to replace institutional care for children living at the Destitute Asylum with family placements. She founded the Boarding Out Society, which voluntarily assisted the Destitute Board in supervising the system. Caroline Emily’s advocacy led to the transfer of many children from the Destitute Asylum into suitable family homes. By 1888, nearly 700 of the 800 'state' children were boarded out, and similar systems were adopted in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

In 1886 the Boarding Out Society was restructured as the State Children's Council, of which Caroline Emily remained a member until her retirement 1905.

Image: Caroline Clark, circa 1903. State Library of South Australia, B47543

Known as a prosperous native flora haven that blends leafy suburbia with woodland areas, the City of Burnside is committed to providing every opportunity for residents to contribute to regional habitat enhancement on private property, especially across the Hills Face Zone, with the aim of assisting biodiversity.

Council is proactive in managing its Hills Face reserves, creek lines and urban biodiversity sites by controlling invasive plants, encouraging natural regeneration, and revegetating with local native species. At the same time, it manages fuel loads to prevent bushfires. These actions protect and enhance habitat for local native fauna and other valuable species. It is hoped residents in corresponding zones also act proactively to uphold the natural beauty of the area.

Two residents who have shown their commitment to restoring their Hills Face Zone property to its natural beauty are Anne and Mervyn, whose land was inundated with feral olive plants since they moved in over 20 years ago. Following their move they have been slowly chipping away at the infestation, following advice from Council’s Conservation and Land Management team. The major overhaul has seen them clear the area and replace the olives with native flora from the City of Burnside’s Biodiversity Nursery.

‘We’ve been clearing olives for a long time.’ Mervyn said. ‘We have removed several olive plants from the main section of our property. You can see the natives they have been replaced with starting to flourish.’

Now seeing the aftereffects of their hard work, Anne said the advice from the Conservation and Land Management team was invaluable.

‘We received a lot of support. As soon as Donna and the Conservation and Land Management team came up and saw what we wanted to do, she advised us on the best way forward. The team were very helpful through the process,’ Anne said.

The City of Burnside’s Native Plant Giveaway is a yearly service offered to residents of the City to promote the restoration of residential properties with native flora.

Mervyn and Anne discussed options with City of Burnside Conservation and Land Management team.

Now trialling at George Bolton Swimming Centre, the City of Burnside’s Fitness in the Park program has a new class activity – AquaFit.

AquaFit or aqua aerobics is a low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility while being gentle on the joints. The water provides natural resistance, helping to build muscle and enhance mobility, making it an ideal workout for people of all ages and fitness levels, or those recovering from injury.

Spearheaded by Burnside Ward Councillor Jenny Turnbull following community requests, AquaFit joins the Fitness in the Park series that also includes land-based activities like yoga, Zumba and EasyFit. These classes take place in the beautiful parklands and reserves across the City of Burnisde.

AquaFit instructor Katherine said it was great to see a full and enthusiastic class for last Thursday’s first session and that the classes will be a relaxed atmosphere supporting all skill and experience levels.

With a packed out first session, this Thursday morning class time will fill out fast for coming sessions. If you are interested in taking part, register your spot now.

For more information on AquaFit classes, visit our website.

Burnside Ward Councillor Jenny Turnbull at George Bolton Swimming Centre

The Honourable Jennifer Cashmore AM (1937–2024) became the third woman to be elected to the House of Assembly in 1977, serving as the Member for Coles (today known as Morialta). Cashmore was a resident of the City of Burnside for much of her adult life.

Cashmore served with distinction in Parliament for 16 years, including 12 years as the only woman representing the Liberal Party. Her political career was characterised by unwavering dedication to the causes she believed in. A strong advocate for the provision of quality palliative care, she also led a passionate opposition to proposed development at Wilpena Pound, going so far as to pledge to stand in front of bulldozers to prevent any destruction.

Upon her retirement from Parliament, Cashmore continued to serve the public through her involvement in numerous boards and committees. In recognition of her outstanding service, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1998, acknowledged for her contributions to the South Australian Parliament and her advocacy in the fields of palliative care, women’s issues, and economic development.

Photograph: Jennifer Cashmore September 1979. Courtesy of SLSA B37324.

The Burnside District Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial in Rose Park is an important cultural landmark within the City of Burnside.

This World War I memorial is significant to the community and is a high-quality example of a living war memorial.

The memorial’s history began on Peace Day, 19 July 1919, when a crowd gathered at Alexandra Avenue to acknowledge the fallen soldiers of the Great War. As part of the ceremony, relatives were invited to plant a tree along the Avenue and Prescott Terrace in honour of their lost loved ones. The trees chosen to stand along this site are particularly poignant – a living, evergreen memorial that must be maintained by those who come after.

In 1920 the next step in the memorial’s evolution began as the Burnside Memorial Committee raised funds for a monument to be added to the Memorial as a further tribute to the fallen of the District of Burnside. Australian sculptor Charles Web Gilbert (1867–1925) was commissioned to design the bronze statue. On 14 December 1924, the Governor of South Australia, Lieutenant General Sir Tom Bridges KCB KCMG DSO, unveiled the statue depicting a soldier climbing over the top of a trench and turning back to offer a helping hand to his mate. The Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry in France cast the figure, which is mounted on a granite plinth with bronze plaques bearing the names of 87 fallen soldiers of the Burnside District.

A project to update the memorial was initiated in 2020 by Ian Fitzgerald, Retired Colonel Peter Scott and the late Ian Sando, who approached the City of Burnside for support. Together, they formed the Burnside Military History Group and dedicated many hours to researching the names of the 87 soldiers commemorated in 1919. Their research uncovered inaccuracies and inconsistencies on the plaques throughout the Memorial, including a proposal that some fallen soldiers from the Burnside District had not yet been recognised.

On 4 August 2022, additional trees were allocated to fallen soldiers on Alexandra Avenue, west of Victoria Terrace. Through intensive research, these soldiers were identified for their strong association with the District of Burnside and were added to the memorial to recognise their sacrifice alongside their mates.

In recognition of this work the Burnside Military History Group was named the 2024 Active Citizens of the Year at the City of Burnside Australia Day Awards.

In 2024, the individual soldiers’ tree plaques were replaced with corrected and additional information. The rock plaques across the memorial were also updated, and an interpretation plaque was installed at the Field Gun on Prescott Terrace. The final phase of the project included the installation of interpretive signage behind the inspiring statue with a map to help visitors locate specific soldiers’ memorial trees. With assistance from the City of Burnside the group secured two grants to support the project - one from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and another from the History Trust of South Australia.

During the ceremony on 14 December 2024 commemorating the statue’s 100 years, Mayor Anne Monceaux, and Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, unveiled a plaque to be added to the new interpretive signage.

Mayor Monceaux expressed the great honour of this occasion and emphasised the importance of preserving the memory of the fallen through both Council and community efforts.

‘I wish to thank Ian Fitzgerald, Peter Scott and the late Ian Sando for their foresight and diligence as they were committed to getting the history right and honouring the fallen from World War I. As a living memorial, these Avenues of Honour require continual care by the City of Burnside and the community to ensure their Legacy is not forgotten,’ Mayor Monceaux said.

Left to right: Ian Fitzgerald, Her Excellency Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Retired Colonel Peter Scott, Mayor Anne Monceaux and Graeme Gatley

In this episode of Burnside Highlights we bring you all the latest, including news about the already popular AquaFit program which begins tomorrow.

Putting their general knowledge skills to the test, the members of the City of Burnside Let’s Get Trivial competition are looking for more residents over 65 to join the program.

Maintained as part of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Let’s Get Trivial is a group social support activity based on the Australian tradition of the local pub quiz nights – minus the alcohol.

Held in the morning of every second and third Tuesday of the month (and fifth if the month allows) at the Burnside Civic Centre, Let’s Get Trivial has been running since February 2023 and is a great way for members of the community to come together and bond over a little friendly competition and general knowledge.

Vida, a resident of Burnside, has been a member since the program’s inception in 2023 and said she always looks forward to the event.

‘We love the Let’s Get Trivial program; we wish we could do it every week,’ Vida said. ‘We always look forward to it, but we would love to get more people.’

‘I know the City of Campbelltown runs a similar program and they get about 40 people. We would love to get to that number.’

‘It is a great activity for mental stimulation as well as the socialisation.’

Currently attended by around 20 residents per session, Let’s Get Trivial is always open and encouraging of new members. In December the program celebrated the fiftieth meeting of the group with a homemade cake by Vida and a morning tea.

Andrew, a former Burnside Citizen of the Year has also been attending since day one and has watched the group flourish.

‘I’ve been trying to encourage more guys from the other programs to come along,’ Andrew said. ‘They’re worried they won’t know the answers to the quiz – but that is not what this is about, it is about fun and socialising.’

Designed for individuals over the age of 65 who want to connect with their community. Let’s Get Trivial is funded by the Federal Government through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), the program is accessed via a My Aged Care referral.

If you or a family member would like to join the Let’s Get Trivial program, contact Council’s Home Support Program on 8366 4193.

Edith Agnes Hübbe (1859-1942), born Edith Agnes Cook, was a pioneering teacher and the principal of Knightsbridge School in Leabrook.

In 1876, Edith became the University of Adelaide’s first female student, studying Latin, Botany, and Physiology.

Edith’s career in education began in 1879 when she took on the role of Deputy at the Advanced School for Girls on Franklin Street. At just 21, she was promoted to Head of the School in 1880, after receiving an exemption from the regulation that required school heads to be at least 25-years-old.

In 1885, Edith’s sister Harriet founded Knightsbridge School in what is now Leabrook. The school moved to Edith’s home on Statenborough Street in 1886, where the sisters ran the school together until 1921. The school produced many successful and notable alumni, including the pioneering modern artist Dorothea Foster ‘Dorrit’ Black.

Hubbe Court and the accompanying Hubbe Court Reserve are both named in commemoration of Edith.

Photo: Portrait of Edith Agnes Hübbe, approximately 1885, State Library of South Australia, PRG 1415/35/5/11.