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In this episode of Burnside Highlights we reflect on Meals on Wheels SA’s 70th birthday, pay a visit to our heritage listed cemeteries, celebrate a historically significant donation and much more.

15 August 2024

City of Burnside CEO resigns

Today City of Burnside CEO, Chris Cowley, has resigned to take on new challenges.

Mr Cowley will lead the City of Burnside until 15 November 2024 before taking on his next appointment which will be formally announced in the coming week.

Mr Cowley thanked the Mayor, Council and Administration for their support since joining the City of Burnside on 13 January 2020.

‘This decision was one of the hardest I have ever made’, Mr Cowley said.

‘The culture at the City of Burnside is incredible and something we should all be proud of playing a part in creating and sustaining.

‘I’ve achieved what I set out to here at Burnside and I am looking forward to new challenges.’

Mayor Anne Monceaux thanked Mr Cowley for consistently demonstrating strong and positive leadership.

‘He has led his team effectively and has been committed to serving the community of Burnside. I have appreciated his honest and consistent support over four and a half years’, Mayor Monceaux said.

The Mayor assured that there is process in place to select a new CEO.

In his time at the City of Burnside Mr Cowley:

• Led the Council’s response to COVID restrictions that came into effect in March 2020. He ensured that Council continued to deliver services to our community in different ways, in particular services that overcame social isolation for our community throughout the pandemic.
• Delivered the first City Master Plan that will shape the future of Burnside.
• Improved motorist safety with the introduction of 40 km/h speed limits in sections of the City.
• Brought the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass back onto the state and national agenda.
• Has taken a stance on illegal tree removals in the City.
• Saw Council awarded Tree City of the World over four years.
• Started City of Burnside’s path to reconciliation, instigating our partnership with Traditional Owners to develop a Reconciliation Plan and artwork.
• Delivered the redevelopment of Tusmore Wading Pool; the Dulwich Community Centre; construction on the multi award winning Kensington Gardens / Kensington Wama Wetland; the Magill Village Precinct; and The Shed on Conyngham Street.
• Initiated Council’s focus on environmental sustainability, achieving our 2030 carbon neutral emissions targets.
• Fostered grassroots community lead projects such as the creation of the community garden in Laurel Avenue, Linden Park and the Your Neighbourhood Budget program.
• Placed focus on access and inclusion in all Council venues.
• Initiated the refurbishment of the 100-year-old state heritage listed Regal Theatre.

At the Glenunga Hub, Frank’s Coffee has partnered with the Wellness Hub to donate $2 for every coffee sold during the program to the Rotary Club of Burnside, until the end of the year. Owner and Founder of Frank’s Coffee, Julian La Starza said supporting the program was a great way to give back to the local community.

‘We see it as a great way to support a good cause and hopefully get more people through the doors of the Hub.

‘I know a few of the people from Burnside Rotary and they seemed like a natural choice to support.’

Frank’s Coffee, named for Julian’s Nonno, Francesco (Frank) Mercorella, has been located at the Glenunga Hub for three years.

The Burnside Wellness Hub is a collaboration between the City of Burnside and the Rotary Club of Burnside, providing a monthly program for elderly residents featuring unique guest speakers and the opportunity to connect with like-minded members of the community as well as increase social interaction.

Julian, Founder of Frank's Coffee

Curious about the origin of the suburb name Tusmore?

In 1838, William and Ann Rogers made the journey from England to South Australia and established a farm on land leased from the South Australian Company. They named the farm Tusmore, honouring their hometown in Oxfordshire. At its height, the farm had 800 sheep, 50 cattle and over 100 acres of wheat and other cereals.

Tusmore House, constructed of bluestone and featuring 10 rooms, was located near today’s Stirling Street, Tusmore and the house’s entrance gates were on Greenhill Road. William Rogers planted a row of gum trees along the driveway, some of which are still visible from Greenhill Road today. Although the house was demolished in 1962, its historic entrance gates have been preserved and are now situated at the Stirling Street entrance of Tusmore Park.

Photos: Left - Gates to Tusmore House on Greenhill Road, circa 1898. Burnside Local History Collection. Right - Gates to Tusmore Park on Stirling Street, 2024.

In this episode of Burnside Highlights we take a look back at our Olympic history, our recent Citizenship Ceremony at the Regal and our ongoing SALA exhibition at Pepper Street Arts Centre.

Did you know that Waterfall Gully was South Australia’s first National Pleasure Resort?

When the foothills around Waterfall Gully were subdivided in 1856, the State Government retained one section, which included the falls, as a reserve. In 1884 it was gazetted as “a place for the amusement and recreation of the public”. Waterfall Gully was a popular spot for picnickers – so popular that by the early 1900s foot traffic through the area had significantly diminished the natural landscape.

In 1915, Waterfall Gully was declared the state’s first National Pleasure Resort – the State Government’s response to the need for designated and suitably equipped public recreation areas. The National Board of Pleasure Resorts entered into the work of restoring the natural beauty of the area, with revegetation efforts as well as facilities to accommodate visitors.

Central to the vision for the National Pleasure Resort was the construction of the kiosk in 1912. The kiosk is one of the first examples of a refreshment room in a National Park setting. This significance is reflected in its State Heritage listing.

Waterfall Gully became part of the Cleland Conservation Park in 1972.

Last month two of our City Clean team found an injured peregrine falcon on Portrush Road in Linden Park.

Distressed and unable to fly, the adult female bird was in danger, exposed to heavy foot traffic areas and major roads.

Jumping into action, the staff did an incredible job keeping the falcon safe from vehicles and people. Soon after, City of Burnside Team Leader of Natural Resources Heath arrived on the scene to assist. A trained wildlife rescuer with Fauna Rescue SA, Heath was able to safely capture the falcon with a towel and take her to the team at Adelaide Bird and Exotics Vet Centre.

As the fastest animal in the world, the peregrine falcon can reach speeds over 300 km/h while hunting. By flying above their prey, the falcon will spot its target below then fold its wings and fall into a nosedive reaching their maximum velocity. The falcon will then close its talons and uses them to knock the prey out of the sky.

Considered a rare species in South Australia, the peregrine falcon has seen its numbers flourish in past decades following near extinction in the 80s and 90s due to pesticide use and poaching. Now thriving both rurally and in cities, the peregrine falcon mainly feeds on smaller birds including feral pigeons and has adapted better to city life than almost any other native animal. Naturally found nesting on steep cliff faces the falcons have replaced their rocky nests for high-rise buildings and window ledges, proving a safe vantage point to hunt and raise their chicks.

If residents come across any injured wildlife, please call Fauna Rescue SA on 8289 0896, or another wildlife rescue group.

In this episode of Burnside Highlights we recap Mayor Anne Monceaux’s and CEO Chris Cowley’s lobbying efforts in Canberra to restore funding to the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, reflect on a weekend of amazing events, look ahead to welcoming 64 new citizens at the Regal Theatre and much more.

A resident of the City of Burnside for 71 years and now living in Pineview Village, Bess Welch is as deeply Burnside as they come.

Building her family home on Devereux Road, Beaumont in 1953, Bess lived in the suburb for 63 years, relocating to Pineview in 2016 seeking a smaller home and garden.

Unable to picture herself living anywhere else, Bess adores the area with Beaumont Common especially holding a place in her heart.

‘Council does amazing things and have an incredible reputation,’ Bess said. ‘When I speak to friends of mine about things that are happening, they say “oh my council doesn’t do that”’.

Taking advantage of many of the services offered by Council, Bess is a frequent attendant at Strength for Life classes at the Civic Centre. Strength for Life (SFL) is an affordable way for older South Australians to gain strength and stay fit. SFL also offers social opportunities, with the class (pictured) often staying around after for a cup of coffee and chat. This is where Bess met Elected Member Jenny Turnbull with whom she speaks with about the history of her Burnside residence and appreciation for the community.

Bess also utilises the popular City of Burnside transport bus and is a customer of the Burnside Library Home Library Service – for whom she sings high praise.

‘The Library girls call in with a book for me every month. When I was no longer able to read because of my eyesight they delivered me several audio books.’

Now settled in seamlessly to Pineview Village Bess can sum up her time living in the city with one quick statement – ‘What a good decision!’

Bess Welch (back left in purple) and the Strength for Life class take in a coffee break after their morning workout.

Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs, a Burnside based charity, has been recognised for their environmental impact at the South Australian Environment Awards 2024, named the winner of the Working Together Award.

Having set up a network of over 500 bread tag collection points, Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs recycling partner, Transmutation, accept 250kg of tags each month. Transmutation then donates back to Aussie Bread Tags, enabling the provision of the wheelchairs. Transmutation uses the bread tags to produce bowls and boards, making the partnership a successful social enterprise and example of the circular economy in action.

Representatives of the Aussie Bread Tags regularly give talks about the program around Adelaide and occasionally on Zoom for communities in other areas. Many local councils around Australia including the City of Burnside host collection points and promote the collection of bread tags. You can find the City of Burnside’s collection point located at the Civic Centre.

Founder and Coordinator, Jenny Cooper, was also the City of Burnside 2021 Citizen of the Year award in recognition of her environmental contribution.

To date Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs have recycled 13 tons of bread tags and provided 101 wheelchairs.