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Did you know that the first mill in South Australia was constructed in Burnside?

The gear wheel photographed, fashioned from red gum timber, is believed to be the only remaining piece of the Finnissbrook Watermill, which was constructed on First Creek in 1839. This wheel was part of the driving mechanism for two large mill stones.

Standing four stories high, with a 17 ft diameter water wheel, the Finnissbrook Watermill was built for John Cannan on First Creek, adjacent to the present-day St John Vianney Catholic Church at 544 Glynburn Road, Burnside. Initially a sawmill, it was converted to a flour mill in 1842 by Boyle Travers Finniss, who later went on to become South Australia’s first Premier.

The mill was not a commercial success due to its intermittent water supply, affected by the changing of the season. Despite the efforts of Edward Howitt, the mill’s last lessee, who installed supplementary steam power in 1855, it still failed to turn a profit. The mill was demolished by 1885.

Fragmented, an exhibition of textiles.

Join Pepper Street Arts Centre for the newest local artist exhibition ‘Fragmented’, from Friday 1 - Friday 29 September.

A journey in texture and mood, ‘Fragmented’ is brought to you by the Fibre Artist Network (FAN), a community group of over 100 artists who have been collaborating for over 20 years.

Featuring the work of 21 artists, including group convener Suzanne Gummow, the exhibition promises to challenge the broad idea of memory, art and form through an experience in style and technique. And with a stipulation requiring artwork displayed in the exhibition to stand one metre tall, ‘Fragmented’ promises to deliver some strikingly dynamic visuals.

Local artist and member of FAN, Cathy Boniciolli specialises in seascape visuals, focusing on the Fleurieu Peninsula’s stunning oceans and beaches, describing the sea and sands as good for the soul and a place to feel at peace.

‘We look at textiles as an art form, not a craft,’ Cathy said. ‘Each artist is challenged to interpret the theme individually to create a diverse exhibition.’

‘Beauty is very tactile you can develop texture and mood. Fabric is also more relatable than paint and other mediums, everyone wears fabric which means they can relate to the art.’

With artist demonstrations throughout September, get a firsthand look at the artists and techniques that contributed to this exhibition.

Learn more about ‘Fragmented’, including demonstration times at bit.ly/PepStExhibits

Opening Event: Friday 1 September 6 pm
Speaker: Suzanne Gummow, Textile Artist and Group Convenor
All are welcome, no bookings required. Complimentary drinks and nibbles on arrival.

Cathy Boniciolli-Fractured Rock Formations Along the Fleurieu Coastline

The City of Burnside is excited to announce that 18 community groups have been successful in applying for Community Grants funding this financial year, with a grant being provided to the following groups:

• Adelaide Community for Persian Literature
• Catherine Fitzgerald Art
• Chapel Street Community Garden
• Czech and Slovak Film Festival Australasia Inc
• Dulwich Rose Park United Parish
• El Ritmo Productions
• Friends of Cleland National Park
• Friends of Rose Park Memorial
• Glen Osmond Probus Club
• Glenunga Basketball Club
• Holiday Explorers Inc
• LEO Multicultural Association
• Linden Park Community Garden Association Inc
• Mama First
• Norwood Community Creche
• Rotary Club of Burnside
• SA Mosaics
• Zonta Club of Adelaide Torrens

We will bring you stories about some these Community Grants recipients in the coming months, so keep an eye out on our engage.burnside News Hub, our social media pages and the summer edition of Focus to discover more about some of the great work these groups do.

We are proud to support local community groups and encourage you to apply for a grant when applications open in 2024. You can find out more information about the City of Burnside Community Grants Program at www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Community-Recreation/Programs-Services/Grants-Funding/Burnside-Community-Grants-Program

SA Mosaics group preparing for an exhibition

A successful prosecution for the illegal removal of a street tree was announced at Adelaide Magistrates Court on 21 July 2023 in a landmark first for the City of Burnside.

Burnside’s award-winning urban forest is considered a community asset and is critical in curbing the disastrous effects of heatwaves in urban environments, reducing air pollution, providing habitat for birds and wildlife, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and providing green spaces for the community to enjoy and feel proud of. As a Tree City of the World, Burnside is passionate about protecting the urban forest at time when there is constant pressure from developers to remove trees.

In April 2021 a mature seven year old Golden Rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) was removed on Fort Avenue, Kensington Gardens. A resident witnessed the tree being cut down with a chainsaw and, after discovering that the removal was not approved by Council, took photographs and notified the City of Burnside of the incident. Council investigated and with enough evidence to prosecute, issued a summons for the matter to be heard in court in April 2022.

After a two year case, City of Burnside CEO, Chris Cowley, was happy with the outcome that was successful largely because of a supportive resident and Council’s passionate Urban Forest Team.

‘It’s been a long and protracted case taking a year to investigate and a further year in the courts,’ Mr Cowley said. ‘It would never have been successful without the quick thinking of the resident who witnessed the incident and reported it to Council.’

‘I cannot thank this resident enough for the care they have shown in protecting the City’s urban forest. Without the evidence, and the unwavering passion of Council’s Urban Forest Team to see the case through, we would not have been successful.’

‘I hope that this example highlights the seriousness of the issue and the commitment from Council to take strong action to safeguard the urban forest,’ Mr Cowley said.

Senior Urban Forestry Officer Chris Hawkins said that this is a rare win in the battle to preserve the urban forest for future generations.

‘I’ve worked as an arborist for 10 years and this is the first successful street tree prosecution that I know of,’ Mr Hawkins said. ‘Putting this into perspective, Council received 50 recorded incidents of people cutting down or poisoning street trees in the last year. A large proportion of these are linked to new developments.’

‘Each year we plant almost 1000 new street and reserve trees, but we’re losing so many as well. Without solid evidence it is notoriously difficult to prosecute this illegal activity.’

Chris Cowley asked the community to help Council defend the urban forest by reporting any tree damaging activity and even gathering evidence.

‘We need everyone to know that this illegal behaviour is not acceptable in our community and that anyone can help by giving information to Council,’ Mr Cowley said. ‘Photographs and statements are what can really change the outcome.’

In the recently concluded case, His Honour Magistrate Dixon found the defendant guilty of the offence and imposed a fine of $500. The Court also ordered the defendant to pay the Council’s court costs of $5,708 and a $262 payment of a Victims of Crime Levy.

As the maximum punishment for this illegal activity, the courts can impose a $5000 fine and record a criminal conviction.

Left: A new juvenile tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) stands in the spot of the original tree joining over 40,000 trees in the urban forest that keeps Burnside’s streets cool, captures and stores carbon from our atmosphere, and provides food and homes for wildlife. The trees standing either side indicate what the size of the original tree would have been.

School holidays are over for now and the City of Burnside and Burnside Library would like to thank all the parents and students who attended our school holiday program. As always demand was high for every session with most fully booked out!

Over the two week holiday period the program had amazing attendance across all activities with holiday fun to suit students from ages 5-18, including Paper Engineering, chess lessons, STEM Snapshots, Picture Book Putt-Putt, and Grandma Era – Learn to Crochet.

Burnside Library’s holiday program will be back up and running later in the year for the September/October school holidays – don’t blink, they will be here in no time.

Until then, the Library will be continuing the usual weekly activities including Preschool Storytime (every Tuesday, 10.30 am), Baby Chat (Thursday, 10.30 am), and many more.

Burnside Library will also be taking part in National Science Week 2023, from 12 – 20 August with special after-school events including a Boomerang Engineering class and a Native Seed Bomb Workshop.

For more information on all the above, visit the Burnside Library events page.

Or see more about what is going on in Burnside outside of the Library at ‘What’s on in Burnside’.

Did you know that restoration of the former Burnside Council chambers is currently underway? The City of Burnside supports St David's Anglican Church's efforts to conserve this building and we look forward to the completion of works later this year. The project focuses on restoring the exterior, including replacing the roof, repairing the front verandah and repointing the stonework. The church recently uncovered the original metal signage, which had been painted over, with plans to recreate it. Once completed St David's Church plans to set up the former chambers as a meeting space for community use.

Meetings of the District Council of Burnside were held at this site from December 1869 until March 1928 when the current council chamber on Greenhill Road opened. The former chambers then became the residence of the Council pound keeper, with stables at the rear. In 1959 St David's Church acquired the property.

District Council of Burnside chambers, circa 1928 Former council chambers under renovation, 2023

Mayor Anne Monceaux brings you the latest news from across the City of Burnside, including:

✅ New RAA EV chargers on the way for Burnside Civic Centre carpark
✅ Have your say on seasonal dry zone within Tusmore Wading Pool before Monday 7 August on engage.burnside
✅ New changing facilities being installed at George Bolton Swimming Centre
✅ SALA Festival at Pepper Street Arts Centre begins on Sunday 30 July.

Find out more about what's going on in the City of Burnside at www.engage.burnside.sa.gov.au

The Australian Government recently announced that five Australian soldiers who fought in World War 1 and lost their lives in Fromelles have been formally identified through DNA testing, including a soldier who was a Burnside Council resident.

In 2009, the soldiers were recovered from unmarked mass graves and a team of archaeologists and DNA specialists have been studying the remains in collaboration with relatives.

The Burnside Council resident identified was Sergeant Oscar Eric Baumann from the 32nd Battalion AIF. Sergeant Baumann was born in Hahndorf and lived in Eastwood working as a joiner before he enlisted in July 1915. He was 20-years-old when he was killed in action and today he is commemorated at tree 76 at the Burnside Fallen Soldiers' Memorial on Alexandra Avenue, Rose Park.

The five identified solders have now been laid to rest in the Fromelles Military Cemetery in France.

Sergeant Oscar Eric Baumann, courtesy of Australian War Memorial H06303.

August 2023 marked 30 years since the passing of Bill Potts, whose legacy is still felt throughout the City of Burnside’s local parks and reserves today.

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1917, Bill served in the Royal Engineers during the Second World War and was evacuated from Dunkirk, captured in North Africa, and escaped captivity from a POW camp in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet’s westward advance in 1945.

In the 1950s Bill emigrated to Australia and he became the City of Burnside’s first Director of Parks and Gardens, a position he held from 1959 to 1982. During his tenure he was instrumental in leading works in many parks and reserves including Hazelwood Park, Tusmore Park and Michael Perry Botanic Reserve.

For Bill’s son, Ian, this ongoing legacy is felt in more ways than one.

‘Dad was a racer; we have that sort of racing blood… I was raised in that racing household,’ Ian said.

‘I remember driving around the Wayville Showgrounds for the Royal Show, just around the main arena on the dirt track getting sent sideways a little bit, thinking “This is pretty fun!”

‘The funny thing is he was really into cars whereas I was more into racing dirtbikes growing up, but I also had an appreciation of the cars.’

In the 1960s, Bill purchased and completed the assembly of an HRG 1500, which had been a collection of parts in 1939, assembled as a chassis for export in 1947, and never fitted with a body.

‘This car, along with four or five others, came to Australia in a chassis form, just a rolling chassis,’ Ian said.

‘So, my father designed the body on the Le Mans model and there was an Italian coachbuilder in Adelaide who used to work for Maserati. My father got in contact with him, and he built the body and that would have been around 1968, ever since then it’s been in the family.’

After completing his education at Norwood High School, Ian followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at the City of Burnside from 1979 to 1989, learning the ropes in landscaping and completing further education at TAFE. Today Ian operates his own landscape gardening business.

Ian said he has fond memories of working at the City of Burnside during his father’s tenure, and that Bill was well respected by his peers.

‘He was a people person, everybody liked him,’ Ian said.

‘He respected all his workers, and they respected him. It was a big team effort; it wasn’t just him.

‘My father had an eye for detail and perspective, he was more interested in civic landscaping on a big scale rather than gardens.’

Bill Potts passed away in August 1993 and is commemorated at the Bill Potts Memorial Garden in Hazelwood Park, featuring a magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree as its centrepiece with ornamental planting beds in the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, Ian continues to hold warm memories of his father and plans to keep the HRG 1500 close by as a family member.

‘When I drive by Greenhill Road and I look over at Hazelwood Park it fills me with so much pride, knowing how much my father contributed to this place,’ Ian said.

‘He always said to me in Australia he spent most of his time getting water into the garden, whereas back home he spent all the time getting water out of the garden because it just rained so much.

‘He really was nature’s gentleman.’