During October, as part of the nature festival, the City of Burnside hosted an exhibition with visual art from over 50 local artist plus high school poetry that were inspired by trees.

The natural world is a vital component of the human experience, providing food, water, air, relaxation and inspiration. Trees are conspicuous ambassadors of the natural world, their lives entwined within the cycles of resources on which we depend. Trees are also conspicuous in our community, bringing beauty, peace, shelter, wildlife and wellbeing. Trees are fundamental to the landscape of Burnside and metropolitan Adelaide.

The winner from the people’s choice awards was Stephanie Foley, who took out first place with her piece Sunlit gum leaves. Stephanie explains “Trees always have and always will inspire me and my artwork. I always feel a bit dried up in places without many trees, their presence is enriching on so many levels, physically and mentally.”

In second place was Heather Waring’s artwork Autumn glory. “The distinct seasons we enjoy in Adelaide and the cycle of regeneration heralded by our trees as the seasons turn, always stirs my creativity,” says Heather. “This piece of art was inspired by the glorious splash of autumn colour as I watched the sun illuminate the leaves of maple trees.”

Ursula Kiessling won third place with her work Adelaide hills. “When I was a child back in Germany I used to climb a lot of trees,” Ursula says. “Now I paint them! Where would we be without trees? Who does not admire their beauty, majesty and the abundance of food many provide for us, as well as for animals, birds and insects? Trees, as we all know, also clean the air and provide oxygen for the atmosphere.”

Amy Dillon from St Peters’ Girls’, won the poetry competition for Secondary School Students (year 7-10).

The City of Burnside would like to thank all the artists who showcased their wonderful work.

Kensington Park residents Ian and Dorothy wrote to City of Burnside CEO, Chris Cowley, to give feedback on the Home Library Service.

Chris said that the lovely note "reinforces the importance of our Library service and the unique way we deliver them in the City of Burnside".

Here is the letter that Ian penned:

Thumbing through my tattered ancient encyclopaedia to a page providing a very brief idea of what a library is, the 102 words published provided me with two surprises. The first unexpected wonder was, that unknown to me the first library was at Nineveh in around 2,500BC. The second pre-Christmas cracker treat informed me, that the first public library was opened at Athens in 330BC. In the latter case the custodians of the library books might not have trusted the public enough to allow borrowing of the books. These printed pages for reading were for referencing purposes ONLY.

Fast forward to around 1946/7 a period when most of the British public were living in peace, where the n eds of the British population were partially met via the rationing of many essential foods and materials. My wife, I, my siblings, and our parents lived through a period 1945-1955 in what could be termed as a strangulated method of living.

At my age of 9-10 some boys used their imagination to quickly become a Scotland Yard detective. Requisites were a notebook, a magnifying glass (part of a broken bottle) and imitating the plain clothes policemen of that period by smoking a cigarette positioned at the corner of a mouth. The cigarette was made from rolled toilet paper filled with dried leaves from a bush my mates and I unanimously named WILD WOODBINE. The increasing heat inside the cigarette would occasionally hurriedly force insects from this homemade fag and risk their death by falling to the ground. 75 years later I have noted insects falling from leaves upon a tree and surviving their fall. Their usually ultra-light weight allows them to drift downwards and effortlessly alight upon the ground.

Another magnet of joy for me during my early post-war life was a visit to a local library with my recently de­-mobbed father from his REME battalion. Our local library was not only a storage area for oodles of books, but it was a space in which I am sure my father acutely sensed the peace within this place offering a comfortable browse while standing. Chairs were a scarce resource enabling readers pre-WW2 to sit in relative comfort. I wandered and looked upon so many books I really didn't want to make my mind up on what 2 books I could borrow. Like so many post-war children I became addicted to the very popular author Edith Blyton and her ‘Just William' stories.

Wherever my wife and I have settled there has always been a library able to provide me with personal choice reading and additional study material. The Adelaide University Library, unlike the Athens library of 330BC, offered me as a student at the Institute of Technology, access to study books which could be borrowed (if one was quick off the mark), and reference material which was not loaned out. A library or libraries seem to suggest a town or a city has reached a point in its growth in much the same way, as a large tree adds buttresses to strengthen and stabilise this plant which grows wood.

During the many years in which my wife and I have received monthly visits from the Burnside Library Home­ Delivery Service, seem to me to act in a similar way to the travelling fibres of a tree root. They often reach out over extensive distances to locate water, sugars, and exchangeable minerals. They play a vital role in maintaining a healthy tree. And I believe our monthly visits by Amanda help maintain a robust library system.

Thank you ALL for your continuing respected efforts in trying to satisfy the reading needs of people of any age. Keep putting down strengthening roots. Keep well and safe.

Ian & Dorothy, Kensington Park

Mayor Anne Monceaux with the Burnside Highlights from this week.

Summary:
✅ Over 90% of residents over 15 have received double dose COVID-19 vaccinations as of this week
✅ James Stevens MP at Laurel Avenue Pirkurna Wirra/Peter Bennett Organic Community Garden
✅ Tusmore Wading Pool redevelopment continues, opening early 2022
✅ Upcoming Christmas events including The Regal Theatre shows and more
✅ City of Burnside Instagram Photo Competition closes Friday 10 December

This is just a summary of some of the things happening within the City of Burnside. You can read the full minutes from the meeting at bit.ly/BurnsideAgendasMinutes

City of Burnside has donated more than $2,400 to Fauna Rescue SA. This money was raised from the Native Plant Giveaway earlier this year. People were encouraged to make a $2 donation when collecting their plants, which will help Fauna Rescue SA continue operating.

Marie, chair of Fauna Rescue SA, said they receive approximately 14,000 phone calls a year and they are always on the search for volunteers to support the organisation.

Pictured: Mayor Anne Monceaux, Dr Mark Ellis and Marie Kozulic, chair of Fauna Rescue SA, hold a cheque, surrounded by staff and volunteers.

This stone observation tower was situated on the grounds of Birksgate in Glen Osmond. Highly successful businessman and pastoralist Sir Thomas Elder (1818 - 1897) was the owner of Birksgate.

Constructed circa 1860, the 13-metre high observation tower was used to spot ships approaching the Port. According to a newspaper article in the Mail from 1926, a member of Elder's staff watched the Port with a telescope and notified neighbours of the arrival of a mail steamer by hoisting a Union Jack flag and firing the cannon.

The estate, including the tower, was demolished in 1972.

Photograph: Observation Tower, Birksgate Glen Osmond, 1926. Courtesy SLSA B 3794.

The Laurel Avenue Pirkurna Wirra / Peter Bennett Organic Community Garden will be officially opened on Thursday 2 December. James Stevens MP, Member for Sturt, visited the garden to take a sneak peek. He is pictured below with Mayor Anne Monceaux.

Local resident Rachel Conway was one of many volunteers who helped set up the garden and she brought her children Alana and Edward to help out.

The community garden will be open to all members of the public every day from dawn to dusk.

What memorable events have you attended at the Burnside Ballroom? Do you remember Saturday nights at the Princeton Club?

Mayor J H Parkinson opened the Burnside Ballroom in December 1954. Its exterior design matches the 1928 Town Hall architecture, but its modernist interior design is unique and demonstrative of 1950s style. The Ballroom was added to the State Heritage list in 1997.

Learn more about the history of Burnside Town Hall.

History of the Ballroom

Photographs: Burnside Ballroom, 1950s. Burnside Local History Collection.

There is a new display in the cloisters area of the Civic Centre.

Photographic exhibition Stronger Together shares the stories of young leaders participating in the Welcome Futures Leadership program for Welcoming Australia, an organisation committed to cultivating a culture of welcome and advancing an Australia where people of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.

The display is to shed light on the challenges that individuals from diverse backgrounds face and to create unity and deeper connections between the general public and minority groups.

Call in before 4 December and read the stories of some amazing young people who have overcome cultural challenges.

You are invited to share in the creation of a Peaceful Craft Mural for the summer to be proudly displayed at the Burnside Library & Community Centre.

The theme is ‘Peace’ and ‘Joy’ so perhaps have a thought on ‘what brings peace to you’ and in turn ‘what brings you joy’. This could be anything from a colour, shape, feeling or word. Come along to the final workshop on Thursday 18 November 3 pm – 5 pm near the Library entrance and add your individual approach to this peaceful sewing practice.

On arrival, you will be greeted by Miss Libby Rose and invited to ‘take a fabric square’ and decorate using sewing techniques with colours as specified to the mural (always adding your individual approach.)
You are encouraged to bring along any materials you may wish to use, upcycle or offer to others to use in the piece. Think as ‘mixed media’ as you can, as long as it can be sewn or stuck it has the opportunity to be used! Buttons. sequins, tassels, and all sewing notions are gratefully welcomed.

Once all the squares have been decorated the piece will be sewn up to create a large ‘lotus mural’ for display throughout summer. Your square will have lines and colour themes to fit in with the lotus shape or shall we say the ‘bigger picture’ but within this remit the creativity is all yours.

Mayor Anne Monceaux with Miss Libby Rose.

The Magill Village Project is officially underway, with the first sod turned on Friday afternoon. The project will enhance the Magill Village precinct and provide larger, greener spaces for residents and visitors with widened footpaths, bike lanes and increased public seating. This project has been funded by the federal and state governments with $2 million from the Community Development Grants Program and $5.75 million from the Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program. Find out more.

More Information

Pictured L - R: John Gardner MP, Member for Morialta; Vincent Tarzia MP, Member for Hartley; Anne Monceaux, Mayor of Burnside; Jill Whittaker, Mayor of Campbelltown; James Stevens MP, Member for Sturt.