FOCUS On Burnside - the news hub

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
please update image and this caption / description


WELCOME.

This is our media hub of all things Burnside.

A hub for local news about people, businesses and happenings in our community.

You will see some beautiful photos of Wyfield Reserve, one of Burnside's biodiversity sites, at the top right of this page.



WELCOME.

This is our media hub of all things Burnside.

A hub for local news about people, businesses and happenings in our community.

You will see some beautiful photos of Wyfield Reserve, one of Burnside's biodiversity sites, at the top right of this page.


  • Rare butterfly found in Burnside

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    A rare butterfly has been sighted in the City of Burnside – a chequered copper! Chequered Copper Butterflies once occurred across Adelaide, but they are now considered rare in the region. They were last recorded in Burnside, near Stonyfell, in 1938. Recently, a member of Council’s park staff was surprised to see a Chequered Copper.

    “When we were working at Beaumont Common I noticed a butterfly I had never seen before… I let my team leader know and we found a few of them, it was really exciting.”

    Chequered Coppers have a wingspan of around 2.5 cm with an eye-catching splash of metallic copper on the forewing and traces of copper on the hindwing. The outer margins of the wings have a distinctive white and black chequer pattern. Their scientific name for Chequered Coppers is Lucia limbaria and they are sometimes called Small Coppers or Grassland Coppers.

    The caterpillars of this species rely on ants to survive. The caterpillars live in the nests of small black ants (Iridomyrmex species). They release pheromones that mimic the pheromones of the ants, so the ants protect them. The caterpillar typically builds its chrysalis underground, within the ants’ nest, emerging 10-13 days later as Chequered Copper Butterflies.

    The presence of Chequered Copper Butterflies is a testament to the quality of the planning and groundwork conducted by the council’s park and biodiversity management teams. These butterflies are quite particular in their requirements for habitat.

    Chequered Coppers need open areas with native grasses. The butterflies also require Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans), plus the attendant ants. In Beaumont Common, council staff have recreated habitat that is favourable to these beautiful and rare species, removing weeds and allowing indigenous plant species to thrive. The open grassy woodland at Beaumont Common is perfect for Chequered Coppers.

    Other rare and threatened species are also present in public and private parks and gardens in the area. For example, Cryptic Sun Moths, Southern Brown Bandicoots, and Yellow-footed Antechinus can all be found in Burnside, where suitable habitat exists. Council is working to maintain these habitats to ensure these species do not become locally extinct.

    Council is working with Butterfly Conservation SA to monitor the butterfly population. If you would like to learn how to provide habitat for butterflies in your garden, the book Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden is a great place to start. Copies of the book can be purchased through Butterfly Conservation SA or they can be borrowed through Burnside Library.

    More photos of the butterflies in Burnside are available on iNaturalist, a website and app for recording observations of wildlife.

    A Chequered Copper Butterfly at Beaumont Common

    Native Sorrel in Beaumont Common

  • Christmas Postcard - Windback Wednesday

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Have you organised your Christmas cards yet?

    This Christmas postcard from 1902 shows the corner store on Union and Mill Street in Dulwich under management by Mrs M.A Coleman as a draper and grocer. Built circa 1896, this shop serviced the local area as a shop and post office. The building is now a private residence.


    Postcard, 1902. Burnside Local History Collection. Courtesy of H Grant.

  • Early design concepts for Dulwich Community Centre

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link


    In September 2021 Council approved the renovation of the Dulwich Community Centre in line with concept plans and future community consultation as part of the 2022/23 Business Plan and Budget engagement. Concept designs were developed to understand the possibilities of this site.


    There is an extensive amount of work to still be done before any renovations can begin, including a detailed design undertaken during the 2021/22 financial year followed by a Development Application process. The decision to fund the construction of the centre will be made as part of the 2022/23 Annual Business Plan and Budget process.

    For more background on this project you can read the Council Report and minutes.

    The redevelopment proposes to demolish the old house and front extension and retain and upgrade the existing large hall, with a new purposed-built stage at the rear and a new entry foyer. A new off-street carpark with permeable paving and accessible amenities will bring the facility up to meet current building standards.

    Get involved in future engagements like the 2022/23 Annual Business Plan and Budget by registering on engage.burnside

  • Inspired by Trees

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    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.

  • Home Library Service strengthening roots

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    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


  • Burnside Highlights 24 November 2021

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    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

  • Council donates to Fauna Rescue SA

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    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.


  • Observation Tower Birksgate - Windback Wednesday

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    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.


  • Laurel Avenue Community Garden Opens Soon

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    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.

  • Burnside Ballroom - Windback Wednesday

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    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.

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2024, 03:20 PM