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In this episode of Burnside Highlights you can find out about some of the key decisions made in this week’s Council Meeting, as well as what’s happening in the City of Burnside in the coming weeks.

For Michael Zannis, sport has always been more than just a game. Losing his sight at the age of six, he discovered early on the power of sport to build confidence, community and opportunity. Now, as Burnside’s Sports4All Inclusion Coach, Michael is helping ensure that same opportunity is open to everyone in the Burnside community.

Sports4All is a multi-award-winning, nationally recognised program dedicated to building more inclusive grassroots sport across Australia. Michael brings a wealth of experience, passion and lived expertise to the role, making him an ideal advocate for local clubs and schools.

A long-time member of the Australian Blind Cricket Team, Michael is the most capped Australian Blind Cricketer with 98 appearances and has represented South Australia more than 160 times. Off the pitch, his contribution to sport is just as impressive, volunteering on boards and committees including Blind Sports SA, Blind Cricket and the South Australian Cricket Association.

With more than 25 years in the disability sector, Michael has always worked towards making sport more accessible for all. He has previously founded a charity to help fund athletes with disability to travel to national and international events.

‘I’m very passionate about helping those with a disability be involved in sport and educating local sporting clubs and schools to feel more comfortable including people with disability in their community,’ Michael said.

Through Sports4All, Michael works directly with clubs and schools across Burnside, sitting down with committees, coaches and staff to identify gaps and create action plans for inclusion.

‘Sometimes it is as simple as knowing that people with a disability are people first. Treating everyone as a person is the most important thing. The most basic step is, if you are unsure, ask them how you can assist.’

For local families, this means more opportunities for children and adults with disability to get involved in sport - whether as players, supporters or volunteers. The program looks at everything from facilities and coaching to building the confidence of clubs themselves, ensuring environments where everyone feels welcome.

Michael hopes Burnside can set the standard for inclusive sport. ‘We already have a few local clubs and schools getting involved and leading the way, and my hope is that all organisations will work together to provide pathways for people with disability to participate. Whether that’s on the court, in the clubrooms, as members, or even on committees.’

To learn more about Sports4All or to get involved, contact Michael at the City of Burnside.

Photo credit: Blind Cricket South Australia and Blind Cricket Australia

Did you know the old Marryatville Primary School was planned to be twice its original size when it was constructed?

The school opened on the corner of Kensington Road and Eastry Street (now Tusmore Avenue) in June 1884, with 242 students enrolled under head teacher William Kennedy. Demand for a local school was so high at the time that it was opened when the building was only half-completed, and the second half of the building was never constructed.

Because of this the original building was not fit-for-purpose as enrolment increased into the 20th century. The need for expansion became urgent by the 1950s and with a lack of vacant space available for the school to expand, the Department for Education decided to shift Marryatville Primary School to an entirely new site.

New buildings were commissioned at the school's current site on Dankel Avenue and students were gradually transferred over. The old Marryatville Primary School closed on 25 May 1978.

Despite its closure, the original school building still stands today just across the road from the Regal Theatre.

Photograph: Marryatville Primary School, 1956. Burnside Local History Collection.

Rose Park Primary School opened in 1893 to alleviate overcrowding at the nearby Norwood School, which had over 1,200 students in 1890. The primary school was built to accommodate up to 500 students, but by the end of its first year enrolment had already reached 590. The school buildings were expanded over the following decades, but overcrowding would remain a consistent issue until the opening of Linden Park Primary School in 1950.

It wasn't just the classrooms that were too small for their purpose. At the time Rose Park Primary School was built, the site was surrounded by open fields and planners saw no need for a purpose-built outdoor play space. Unfortunately, as the surrounding land was later subdivided and developed, students had nowhere to play outdoors. It wasn't until the 1980s that the Department of Education purchased several adjoining allotments to create an open grassed area colloquially known as "the Block", allowing students to enjoy their recreation time outside.

Photographs: Rose Park Primary School, 1910 and Rose Park Primary School c.1990. Burnside Local History Collection.

The City of Burnside is proud to celebrate the achievements of our trainees, who play an important role in the delivery of services to our community. We are especially delighted to share that one of our own, Amara, has been nominated for the prestigious Trainee of the Year award at the 2025 South Australia Training Awards, hosted by the South Australian Skills Commission. This recognition is a testament not only to Amara’s commitment, hard work and growth, but also to the supportive environment fostered at the City of Burnside.

At the City of Burnside, we recognise the value that trainees bring to our organisation. They inject fresh ideas, energy and enthusiasm, while building the practical skills and knowledge that will shape their careers. Traineeships give individuals the opportunity to earn while they learn, gain nationally recognised qualifications and contribute meaningfully to the workplace from day one.

Burnside is proud to work with Maxima, the exclusive provider of traineeships across our organisation. Through this partnership, the City of Burnside currently supports 12 trainees across administration and depot roles. By offering these opportunities, Burnside demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing talent and investing in the future workforce. Our experienced staff play a vital role as mentors, guiding trainees like Amara as they progress in their professional journey. Amara’s nomination highlights what can be achieved when trainees are supported to thrive, and we couldn’t be more pleased to see her success recognised at a state level.

‘Amara has consistently shown initiative and professionalism in her time with the City of Burnside and has immersed herself into the team with a willingness to go above and beyond,’ said City of Burnside Acting CEO Matthew Spearman. ‘Amara has made a real difference to our team, and we are thrilled to see her achievements recognised.’

Noting the benefits of her traineeship, Amara encourages others to give it a try.

‘The opportunity to work for a shared purpose, learn on the job and gain a steady income by doing so has been something I have found invaluable. By far, the greatest contribution to my development and success had been the team of professionals at Burnside who encourage and empower me each day.’

‘I would encourage anyone considering a traineeship to give it a go. These opportunities can open doors to a wide range of industries and provide hands-on experience that will set you apart, especially in a work environment where practical and applied skills are highly sought after. This pathway will set you up for success. It’s such a valuable way to gain confidence, build skills and start your career with real industry experience.’

Congratulations to Amara on this outstanding achievement and best of luck at the awards.

If you are interested in pursuing a traineeship or would like to know more about opportunities at the City of Burnside, we encourage you to get in touch with Maxima or apply through our Job Vacancies page.

Photo credit: Maxima Group Australia

Since the trial began in September 2024, households and businesses have embraced the opportunity to place food scraps and garden waste in their green organics bins each week. As a result, landfill has been reduced by 200 tonnes compared to the previous financial year. A win for the environment and the community.

This shift is important because composting food and garden waste is around five times cheaper than sending it to landfill. These savings help reduce pressure on Council’s waste management budget and, in turn, on rates. Similar successes have been seen in other councils across Australia.

Thanks to this success, weekly organics is now being extended to the Monday bin collection area. This households and businesses in Beulah Park, Kensington Park, Kensington Gardens and Magill. Residents in this area should have already received information about the trial.

How It Works

Households and businesses in the trial area will have their green organics bins collected weekly and red-lidded landfill bins collected fortnightly. With no change to the recycling bin. Most household waste is organic waste from the kitchen and the garden. Therefore it makes sense to have weekly green organics collection. While most households are ready for this change, council is providing additional support for households where needed.

What do our residents think?

Community support has been key to the success of the trial. From saving money to reducing landfill, residents have embraced the change and are seeing the benefits.

Why Weekly Organics Works

Easier to dispose of food waste. Weekly green organics collection means households can send all food scraps to be composted without having to worry about smell or waiting another week for collection.

Takes the pressure off rates. Weekly organics collection makes it easier to use the green bin for food scraps. With more food scraps in the green bins, Council saves money.

Most landfill bins are half full. Because most landfill bins are half full or less, they don’t need to be emptied each week. Composting creates local jobs. Putting food and garden waste in your green bin grows the local composting industry. The compost helps increase the productivity of South Australian farms and vineyards.

Better for the environment. When food waste is composted it breaks down quickly. In contrast, when food waste goes to landfill it breaks down slowly and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Reduces landfill. Our trial has shown weekly organics significantly reduces landfill. A weekly service makes it easier to put all food scraps and organic waste in the green organics bin.

What’s Next?

This service is expected to continue beyond the trial and expand to other areas, subject to future Council budgets and the ongoing success of the program. Residents will be notified in advance of any further changes.

Council thanks residents for embracing weekly organics. Your efforts are helping to reduce landfill, save money, support responsible waste management.

Want to learn more about weekly organics?
Visit www.burnside.sa.gov.au/weeklyorganics

What goes in the green organics bin?

Did you know Burnside Primary School began as a 'demonstration school' in 1869, operating out of a private residence on William Street known as 'The Cottage'? The school had 42 students under the superintendence of headmistress Ruth Clarke, who was married to Dennison Clarke (builder of Fernilee Lodge).

Due to increasing enrolment, a separate, purpose-built schoolhouse was commissioned for the site in 1872, marking the official opening of Burnside Primary School. The original building was then replaced by a new red-brick building in 1907, which was then extended in 1923 and 1932. 'The Cottage' remains a part of Burnside Primary School to this very day, currently operating as the school's science building.

During World War I, Burnside Primary School students knitted socks for soldiers on the front. In 1926, the school commissioned a set of memorial gates to commemorate past students who had died during the war. The gates were designed by Mr P.W. Culley and include two bronze tablets bearing the names of the fallen soldiers.

Photographs: Memorial Gates, courtesy of The Adelaide Chronicle (26 June 1926, p.39). Mrs Gibbons’ Class Knitting Socks for Soldiers 1914-1918, Burnside Local History Collection.

In this episode of Burnside Highlights, learn about a few key outcomes from our most recent Council Meeting, what’s happening at some of our community venues and the exciting expansion of our weekly organics trial!

Earlier this year, Wattle Park Kindergarten was recognised as winners of the City of Burnside Environment Awards, celebrating their outstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental education. The $2,000 prize has since been invested into their thriving nature-play and sustainable gardening initiatives, helping to boost and refresh current projects.

Seven raised garden beds form the heart of the kindy’s sustainability program, where little hands plant, water and harvest seasonal vegetables. These gardens are more than just a source of fresh produce, they are outdoor learning and development centres where the children discover the cycles of life, the importance of biodiversity and the joy and patience of growing your own food.

Director, Emma Schulz, said the children were passionate about the gardens and took great care in ensuring their growth.

‘This sort of nature play helps the children develop awareness of their surroundings, their environment and how to care for plants and creatures.’

The kindy also weaves Kaurna language into its learning environment, with simple cards showing the Kaurna names for plants and other natural elements. These gentle reminders help children build respect for culture while deepening their connection to the land.

Utilising the City of Burnside’s other environmental programs, Wattle Park Kindergarten has received beautiful native flowers and grasses from the City of Burnside’s annual Native Plant Giveaway and juvenile native wattle trees through the annual Native Tree Giveaway. All of which has gone towards further establishing the lush gardens.

The kindergarten’s commitment to sustainability extends into the wider community through the much-loved ‘Wattle Box’ - a produce-sharing stall hung on the exterior fence. Families and neighbours contribute homegrown vegetables, herbs and seedlings, creating a point of contact for wider community interaction. Funds raised are invested directly into the gardens, ensuring the cycle of growth continues.

The Environment Award prize money has helped further support these projects, funding seeds, plants and garden infrastructure, as well as supporting activities that encourage families to get involved.

‘The City of Burnside is incredible at supporting the environment through the giveaways and programs like the Environment Awards, and by encouraging the community to be involved in conservation,’ Emma said.

Looking ahead, Wattle Park Kindergarten plans to grow even further. Adding fruit trees, running more sustainability workshops, and creating new opportunities for children and families to learn together.

The success of the program shows how small actions can make a big difference. From tiny hands planting seeds to a community coming together around the Wattle Box, Wattle Park Kindergarten is cultivating not only fresh produce but also a culture of care, resilience and environmental responsibility that will grow for generations to come.

The City of Burnside Environment Awards nominations will reopen early in 2026 with winners announced at the annual Environment and Sustainability Expo.

Do you know why Glen Osmond Primary School isn't actually in Glen Osmond? The current Glen Osmond Primary School (pictured), which opened on Fisher Street, Myrtle Bank in October 1878 was named after the original Glen Osmond Public School, which was built on Portrush Road in 1858.

Prior to the building of the original school, most children in the area were educated by private tutors, either in their own homes or in the teacher's private residence. At public meeting on 1 November 1856, local residents and parents gathered to protest that these private "schools" were too small and scattered to serve the children of the community. As a result of these complaints, Sir Osmond Gilles donated a plot of land on Portrush Road and residents contributed funds for the construction of a schoolhouse and teacher's residence onsite. The original Glen Osmond School was opened at this location in 1858, under the superintendence of the headteacher Mr G.H.J Tucker, aided by his wife.

Unfortunately the original school was quickly found to have defective foundations. The site was handed to Burnside Council for maintenance and enjoyed around 20 years of use not only as a school, but also as a public hall and the site of various denominations' religious services. Eventually the building had to be demolished in 1877.

A replacement school was built at the Fisher Street site, remaining under the superintendence of Mr Tucker and his wife, now with the assistance from their two daughters Julia and Edith. Even though the new school was in a different suburb and a different council area, and despite numerous calls to change the name over the following decades, it has retained the name Glen Osmond Primary School in celebration of its origins.

Photograph: Glen Osmond Primary School, 1953. Burnside Local History Collection.