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Did you know that Glenside was once known as Knoxville? The area was originally part of Nathaniel Knox’s farm, which he owned from 1840 to 1882.

From 1882 to 1913, Knoxville became a hub for South Australia’s meat production, with its slaughter yards and stock paddocks playing a key role in the region's economy. For nearly 30 years, half of the state's lamb and all of the exported lamb were processed at Knoxville's works. Cattle would arrive in Adelaide by train and was driven through the city streets—down West and South Terraces, and along Glen Osmond Road—on their way to the works.

By 1915, the area was renamed to Glenside, and the slaughter yards were closed around 1913. Fun fact: today’s Webb Oval was once part of one of the cattle holding paddocks!

Photograph: The Bacon Factory, part of the meat production works of Knoxville, owned by W. P. Hill, circa 1902. Courtesy of State Library of South Australia B15484

In 2024 the City of Burnside offered the Community Grants Program, providing financial support to local community groups of up to $5,000. These funds were to help deliver community programs and services that would otherwise go unfulfilled.

One grant recipient was Chapel Street Community Garden who are looking to launch their pilot program 'Growing Together', aimed at teaching local youth the fundamentals of at home garden sustainability.

‘Growing Together’ aims to enhance Chapel Street Community Garden as an educational space for local children with the help of experienced volunteer gardeners, focusing on sustainable food production and fostering a connection with nature. This initiative is designed to educate young children about sustainable food production, promote healthy eating and foster a sense of community responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Kensington Gardens & Magill Ward Councillor Jo Harvey said the community garden was a hub for local enthusiasts and the grant money would provide vital support to the fledgling program, as it seeks to guide local children through the process of sustainable food production from planting to harvesting.

Kensington Gardens and Magill Ward Councillor Jo Harvey (right) with Chapel Street Community Garden members Bill and Robyn.

Volunteering is a great way to be active in the community and give back in an area you are passionate about.

At the City of Burnside we are lucky to be supported by 371 volunteers across 34 programs. Collectively these volunteers donate approximately 26,500 hours per year to volunteering throughout our Council area, the equivalent of 13 full-time staff.

A 2020 study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that over an estimated five million Australians volunteered through an organisation, with women aged 40-54 the most populous group.

One of the city’s most dedicated volunteers is Christine Baillie, who has been a volunteer with Burnside for over 25 years and gives her time to the Biodiversity Nursery on Conyngham Street. Christine was the city’s first ever official biodiversity volunteer.

Contributing to local biodiversity projects in an informal capacity for five years prior to the establishment of the Conservation Volunteer Program, Christine has been involved in the original planting of native flora in several high-profile biodiversity sites, including the Bell Yett Reserve creek line, Kensington Park Reserve, Tusmore Park and Langman Reserve. Today she is a regular participant in the weekly Karra Tartu (Waterfall Gully) bush regeneration project.

‘It’s wonderful to get out with likeminded people and be learning on the job and seeing the rewards of what you have accomplished,’ Christine said. ‘The knowledge I have gained is invaluable.’

‘It’s a very good feeling being at Waterfall Gully and seeing the indigenous regeneration once the weeds are gone.

‘The experiences I have had while volunteering are hard to explain in words.’

Another dedicated Burnside volunteer is Bryan Draper, a member of our library team, who recently celebrated his95th birthday!

A volunteer of 16 years, Bryan is the heart of the Library Books Repair team, coming in twice a week to help restore damaged books and assist new volunteers in the program. Named Volunteer of the Year in 2020, Bryan is an indispensable member of the Burnside Library.

Thank you to all our outstanding volunteers for their hard work, dedication and commitment to making Burnside the best it can be!

Volunteering is open to everyone. Young, old, experienced or first timer, you don’t even need to be a resident. If you would like to volunteer with the City of Burnside, visit our Volunteer Vacancies webpage or email volunteer@burnside.sa.gov.au.

Christine Baillie is presented her 25 Years of Service award Bryan Draper celebrates his 95th birthday with Burnside Library staff

At the City of Burnside, we recognise the vital role that young people play in shaping the future of our community.

Youth programs are not just about recreation—they are a strategic investment in our city’s growth. These initiatives provide young people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to Burnside’s development and become active citizens.

By participating in these programs, young residents offer fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, while also gaining a deeper sense of responsibility and belonging in their community. This engagement empowers them to take ownership of local issues, driving positive change now and into the future.

As part of our continued outreach pathway, Council recently created the Youth Development Officer position to lead a variety of programs and initiatives for young people, maximising positive interactions for youth in the community.

Tasked with the goal of increasing youth participation and investment in the Burnside community, the Youth Development Officer position has been filled by Jessica Watts (pictured) since July 2024.

One of Jess’ main focuses since commencing her role has been the initiation of the Youth Action Plan survey – Future Focus Gen Z: Your Voice, Your Future, designed to understand the needs and requirements for youth in the city aged 12-25.

In the coming months, the community can expect a range of youth programs with a renewed focus designed to foster connection and engagement with young people. These initiatives will aim to help young people build essential skills to become job-ready, offer support for mental health, and provide fun, safe events where youth can gather. Additionally, there will be collaboration with local sporting clubs and community groups to create opportunities that enhance community involvement and personal development. These programs aim to build a stronger sense of belonging and empowerment among young residents.

The City of Burnside’s Your Voice, Your Future survey is out for consultation until 15 December. Open to community members aged 12-25, the purpose of the consultation is to assist Council in tailoring services and initiatives moving forward.

All respondents can go into the draw to win one of five $100 Burnside Village vouchers.

Learn more about this consultation and complete the survey here.

Youth Officer Jessica Watts (left)

With Summer nearly here and the warmer days becoming more frequent, local snakes are starting to become more active. With our numerous parks, reserves, woodlands and waterways, the City of Burnside is home to a surprising number of native reptiles especially along the Hills Face Zone, many of which rank among the most venomous in the world. The snakes, while mostly sticking to natural areas, can often find their way into residential yards in search of food and water.

Here is your guide on our local long bodied friends. The three main species of snakes found in the City of Burnside include:

• Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis): Known as one of the most venomous snakes in the world, the Eastern Brown prefers open spaces but may occasionally venture close to homes – mainly in search of food like mice and rats.

• Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus): Often found near water, this snake can sometimes be spotted in wetlands or creek areas. Its dark, sleek body and distinctive red underbelly make it one of Australia’s more recognisable snakes.

• Eastern Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus): Distinguished by its striking stripes, this snake is adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats, though it tends to stay near water sources.

If you encounter a snake in your yard or in a reserve, it’s best to keep a safe distance. Most snakes are shy and will move on if left undisturbed and will only attack if provoked. In cases where a snake poses an immediate threat, remove all pets and children from the area until the snake is gone or, contact a licensed snake removal service to have it relocated.

It is illegal in Australia to deliberately harm or kill a snake unless it poses a direct threat.

To reduce the risk of a snake entering your property there are a few steps you can take:

• keep lawns and gardens well maintained
• remove piles of wood or other debris from the yard or store it off the ground
• ensure pet food and water bowls are not accessible to wildlife
• reduce rodent populations around your home.

If you or a family member are bitten by a snake contact 000 immediately.

Photo credit via iNaturalist

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Check out this photograph of the Glen Osmond Toll House from 1903 - the Tollgate intersection looks much different today, over 120 years later!

Land agent Robert Cock laid out the first section of Glen Osmond, one of the earliest villages laid out in South Australia. This area was situated between the present Glen Osmond and Portrush Roads and contained service industries and cottages. The purchasers of this land paid between £9 and £12 per acre.

In the early years of its subdivision Glen Osmond had a strong Cornish character, with many of its inhabitants being miners originally from Cornwall. In the area of Glen Osmond east of Portrush Road (known as Woodley) were the Wheal Gawler and Wheal Watkins silver and lead mines. Opening in 1841, the Wheal Gawler mine was the first metal mine in Australia, with Wheal Watkins opening shortly after in 1843.

Osmond Gilles (1788 – 1866), the Colony of South Australia’s first Colonial Treasurer, had a key influence on the area, and hence the origin of the suburb’s name. He was a landowner and lived at Woodley House, which was built circa 1842. He established a 20-acre vineyard on the property, planting mainly Shiraz, Malbec and Mataro grapes. These plantings later became part of Woodley Winery. Vigneron Horace Pridmore bought the property in 1905, extending the vineyard and building large cellars.

The well-known Toll House near the intersection of Cross, Portrush and Glen Osmond Roads was opened in 1841 as a means of raising funds for the road to Mount Barker. It was closed in 1847 to the great relief of the public.

Photo: Children near the Toll House, circa 1903. Burnside Local History Collection.

In this edition of Burnside Highlights we visit the historic site of the Gilburn Brick Company, reflect on Remembrance Day and take a look at the Renewal SA master plan for the UniSA Magill Campus.

We also look ahead to our future upcoming precinct plans to be developed for several suburbs, upcoming events from the Lions Club of Glenside and Lions Club of Burnside, as well Carols in the Park on Friday 29 November.

Frewville was laid out in 1854 and was named after James Frew, who acquired the land in 1847. Frew also owned land on the opposite side of Glen Osmond Road, naming this “Fullarton” – his wife’s maiden name.

The area was predominantly populated by various tradespeople – blacksmiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, and bootmakers – as well as farmers.

In 1875 the first villa residence, ‘The Pines’, was built by William Fiveash, a representative for Seppelt’s wines. The villa consisted of ten rooms with a bay window at the front, and a row of pine trees between the house and the road.

‘The Pines’ became part of one of the key landmarks of Frewville during the 20th century when it was owned by William Wagener and used as a car wrecking yard. This wrecking yard featured a Model T Ford hoist up high in the pine trees that lined Glen Osmond Road as a novel form of business signage.

Photo: ‘The Pines’ when owned by William Wagener, circa 1920s. Burnside Local History Collection.

In this edition of Burnside Highlights we pay a visit to Laurel Avenue Community Garden to meet with Andrew Hillier and find out all about this amazing community space and their recent open day.

We also share details about our most recent Citizenship Ceremony, the upcoming Fire Danger Season, our Christmas events including Carols in the Park, and where you can attend a Remembrance Day service on 11 November.

This year the Burnside Country Fire Service celebrates 90 years of service.

The earliest iteration of the Burnside CFS formed in 1934 when community members founded the Burnside Hill Firefighting Fund. The fund was generated through donations from landowners and contributed to the purchase of tools and equipment. The Burnside District Council subsidised the Fund “pound for pound up to £100 – the estimated cost of equipment, gear and other expenses” (The News, Saturday 8 December 1934). From this, the Burnside Foothills Firefighting Association began operation in 1936.

In the early 1950s Emergency Fire Service Brigades were established by the government, and were equipped with a greater range of firefighting tools and vehicles. The Burnside Brigade grew, and acquired a trailer mounted tank and pump.

In 1968 the present Fire Station at Glen Street in Burnside was opened. The Burnside EFS was a two-appliance brigade and had the latest technology with a Phone Alarm System installed to enable members to receive fire calls at home. This was likely a welcome change to neighbours of the fire station, as in the early days a siren with a 4 km sound radius was used to alert members!

In 1976 the name changed from Emergency Fire Service to the Country Fire Service, which we recognise today.

Since these early days, the Burnside CFS has continued to grow in capability. The service has assisted in the response to countless bushfires and other emergencies both locally, regionally and interstate. We thank the Burnside CFS for 90 years of service to our community.

Photo: Members of the Burnside Foothills Firefighting Association spraying water during a demonstration near Glen Osmond. Source: The Mail, 9 December 1939.