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On Sunday 26 January the City of Burnside was delighted to announce the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award recipients at the Regal Theatre, where 88 residents from 21 countries were conferred Australian citizenship by Mayor Anne Monceaux. Congratulations to all new citizens who have chosen to make Burnside their home.

Find out more about our inspirational Citizen of the Year Award winners below.

Citizens of the Year – Diana Croft and Susan Perks

Susan Perks

For over three decades, Sue has been a cornerstone of the Burnside Branch of Meals on Wheels, dedicating 32 years to delivering meals to those in need. Since 1992, her weekly visits have not only ensured that individuals unable to cook for themselves can remain independent at home but also provided them with invaluable social connections. Sue’s attentive care lets her quickly notice changes in her customers' well-being, ensuring that any concerns are promptly addressed to keep them safe.

In recognition of her unwavering service, Sue was honoured by Meals on Wheels at a special award luncheon in 2022. Her compassion and dedication exemplify the true essence of volunteerism.

Award accepted on behalf of Susan by fellow Meals on Wheels volunteer Gayle

Diana Croft

Di has been a steadfast volunteer with the Burnside Branch of Meals on Wheels for 31 years, beginning her service in 1993. Delivering meals every fortnight, she is vital in enabling individuals to maintain their independence while living at home. Her friendly visits bring both nourishment and a sense of connection, while her close relationships with her customers allow her to identify and report any well-being concerns promptly.

In 2023, Di’s remarkable contribution was celebrated at an award presentation hosted by Meals on Wheels. Her long-term commitment highlights her deep care for her community and the lives she touches.

Young Citizen of the Year – Rosa Hessabi

Rosa is a young leader whose dedication to service, advocacy, and creative pursuits has profoundly impacted her school and broader community. As founder of her school’s Service and Justice Committee, she has championed humanitarian rights and equity, earning accolades such as the Kaye M Michell Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service. Beyond school, Rosa is an advocate for Iranian human rights and was recognised for her contributions by being selected as a Global Finalist in RISE 2023, an organisation that recognises and supports projects led by young leaders globally. Rosa has also excelled in robotics, as part of the first all-girls team to represent Australia at VEX international competitions, achieving multiple world championships.

Rosa’s contributions extend to the arts, with her work exhibited at prominent venues such as the Art Gallery of South Australia. She has also excelled in public speaking, ethics, and academic competitions, including the Brain Bee Neuroscience National Finals and the Da Vinci Decathlon. A recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and currently pursuing Silver, Rosa exemplifies active citizenship, leadership, and a passion for fostering positive change.

Highly Commended – Stuart Vass

Stuart is a passionate advocate for STEM and youth empowerment contributing locally and internationally through leadership roles in advisory boards, student leadership, and ambassador programs. He has represented Australia at events like the VEX Robotics World Championships and the National Youth Science Forum, fostering innovation and collaboration while championing youth voices in decision-making.

Recognised with accolades such as the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, Stuart has excelled in STEM competitions, community service, and educational outreach. His dedication to creating inclusive opportunities highlights his commitment to empowering the next generation.

Award for Active Citizenship – Michael Neal

Mike Neal is a dedicated community leader and president of the Burnside Lions Club, known for his impactful initiatives that enrich residents’ lives. Among his contributions is the Digital Imaging Project, which helps aged residents digitise their photos, aiding memory retention and providing easy access to cherished memories. Recognising this need after digitising his own photos, Mike saw an opportunity to prevent digital waste and support the community through shared resources.

His commitment extends to facilitating the Burnside Dementia Action Group, a council initiative supporting those impacted by dementia. Mike organises sessions and guest speakers, creating a vital social support network. His efforts exemplify a passion for meaningful, community-focused service.

Community Event of the Year – Rotary Club of Burnside Seniors Christmas Luncheon

The annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon at the Burnside Ballroom is a cherished event that brings together over 100 senior citizens for a festive celebration. With free transport and a complimentary lunch provided by the Rotary Club of Burnside, this long-standing tradition highlights the club's dedication to the community.

The luncheon provides an opportunity to connect and support those who might otherwise feel isolated during the holiday season, showcasing the true spirit of community and togetherness.

For making an impact within our local community and all across our state, congratulations to three Burnside residents who in December 2024 were recognised at the South Australian of the Year awards.

Amber Brock-Fabel won the 2025 SA Young Australian of the Year, while Irfan and Sobia Hashmi won the 2025 Local Heroes for SA award.

Irfan and Sobia Hashmi - 2025 Local Heroes for SA award

Husband and wife duo Irfan and Sobia have played pivotal roles in transforming regional healthcare through the establishment of six rural pharmacies. Previously required to travel long distances to receive pharmaceutical services, these facilities have improved access to basic medications and care for people living in isolated South Australian communities.

Employing staff who collectively speak 21 languages, the Hashmi’s have engaged countless intern pharmacists, delivering multilingual education and outreach programs to support their entry into the essential regional Australian workforce. In the past 12 months alone, their free weekly webinar series has enabled 4,000 overseas pharmacists to pass their exams. These healthcare professionals are highly trained and fill essential gaps in the workforce that would otherwise go unfilled.

Amber Brock-Fabel - 2025 SA Young Australian of the Year

Amber, a former City of Burnside Young Citizen of the Year, founded the South Australian Youth Forum in 2021 at the age of 17, with the goal of creating an authentic, youth-led platform for young people to discuss the critical issues that impact their lives, including topics such as climate change, period poverty, gender equality and youth loneliness. Providing a safe and empowering space for young people, the Forum produces a yearly Annual Report which has been presented to ministers and parliamentarians and cited in statewide youth action plans and legislations.

The Youth Forum was in attendance at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York and were expert witnesses at the National Inquiry into Civics Education.

Speaking on what drives her passion towards the Forum, Amber said her goal is to amplify the voices of young people in all fields of decision-making, including politics, communities, academia, schools and homes.

‘It wasn’t until I became absolutely immersed in this group, surrounded by passionate, different and kind young people, that I finally felt complete. This sparked my love for community; being part of a space where I feel like I belong. I’ve witnessed the detriment of loneliness within myself and my peers; and unfortunately in today’s world, young people are the loneliest demographic in Australia.’

‘I want to continue creating a safe space where young people from all corners of Australia, from all walks of life, can come together to meet, to chat, and to create change.’

Following their recognition at the South Australian awards, all three winners represented SA at the national awards on 25 January 2025. The City of Burnside is incredibly proud of their contributions to the community as they continue to help shape our present and future.

Irfan and Sobia Hashmi (far left) and Amber Brock-Fabel (far right)
photo credit: NADC / Salty Dingo

In this final episode of Burnside Highlights for 2024, we take a look back over this year as well as reflect on recent successes including the incredible Carols in the Park, the Mayor’s Christmas Card competition and more.

Thank you to our community for all your support throughout 2024, and we look forward to sharing more Burnside Highlights with you in the new year.

Do you remember the living Christmas Tree in Tusmore Park?

In 1951 Burnside Council festooned a pine tree in Tusmore Park with lights and decorations, creating a ‘living Christmas tree’. Living Christmas trees were very popular at this time, with other councils around Adelaide creating their own.

In a newspaper article on 19 December 1951, the Mayor of Burnside, Wilfred Holmes, invited residents to attend the park for carols by candlelight “at the tree, a 30 ft. pine, decorated with colored lights”.

The tree was popular with residents, and served as a focal point for community Christmas celebrations in the park.

Image: Capturing the festive spirit of decorated trees is the illustration titled ‘The Christmas Tree’ by Margery Oates, of Tusmore Avenue, Tusmore, published in The Mail on 24 December 1938.

On 2 December 2024, $2.43m in grant funding was announced for the Regal Theatre Precinct Redevelopment project from the Australian Government's Thriving Suburbs Program.

The Thriving Suburbs Program is delivering investment in community infrastructure projects in a number of South Australian communities for capital works projects that enhance liveability, strengthen social cohesion and support local amenity in urban, suburban and peri-urban communities.

The project will rejuvenate the heritage-listed theatre and surrounding precinct, increasing accessible outdoor open spaces, tree plantings and landscapes, to accommodate a greater range of performances, patron experiences and retail, café and outdoor dining opportunities.

You can find out more about what is proposed for the theatre's precinct by taking a look at the detailed design.

Multiple Council Members are in the process of lobbying the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for funding to assist in the construction of a new pedestrian refuge, which would be located on Kensington Road outside the Wattle Park Shopping Centre.

This high-density foot traffic area is located on a 60 km/h road which is also home to a nearby kindergarten and grassed reserve space. The stretch of road is frequently used by trucks and is a key thoroughfare for multiple bus routes.

Burnside Ward Councillors Mike Daws and Jenny Turnbull and Kensington Gardens & Magill Ward Councillor Jo Harvey have lobbied for this project on behalf of their communities, with the aim to have this funding approved to increase safety and accessibility for the many residents who cross this road every day.

‘This area of Burnside is one of the busiest in the city,’ said Cr Daws. ‘A pedestrian refuge on Kensington Road in close proximity to the Wattle Park Shopping Centre and the local kindergarten will significantly raise the safety levels for all ages as they cross Kensington Road at all times of the day.’

Kensington Road acts as a border between the Burnside and Kensington Gardens & Magill Wards and is managed by the State Government as a key arterial road, running from Wattle Park in the east to Kent Town in the west.

Cr Harvey reinforced the need for support from the State Government. ‘Hopefully the State Government recognises the need to support our community with a safe refuge crossing, which is desperately needed here on busy Kensington Road. To get this recognised as a high-risk area is an essential step forward in safety.’

Councillors Mike Daws, Jenny Turnbull and Jo Harvey with Jack Batty MP outside the Wattle Park Shopping Centre.

The City of Burnside is an historic and heritage rich city, dating back to the establishment of the District Council of Burnside in 1856.

With such history comes thousands of untold or forgotten stories. The City of Burnside is dedicated to sharing the stories of our community and its past.

Explore Burnside’s heritage through our YouTube series Our History and the recurring social media and News Hub series Windback Wednesday.

For specific local history enquiries, please submit your questions on the City of Burnside website or visit us during our Local History Enquiry Hours at the Burnside Library Local History Room every Monday from 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm. Additionally, if you’re interested in getting more involved, the Burnside Historical Society is an active group that welcomes new members.

Youtube: youtube.com/@CityofBurnside

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CityOfBurnside

News Hub: www.engage.burnside.sa.gov.au/FOCUSOnBurnside

Burnside Historical Society: www.burnsidehistory.org.au

A journey in fabrics through culture, family and creation, If Fabrics Could Speak is a 2024 Fringe and South Australian Living Artist Festival award winning exhibition.

With accessibility in mind at all times, this exhibition created by local artist Catherine Fitz-Gerald, tells the story of 30 participants aged from four to 91, as they share ordinary fabrics and the extraordinary memories that linger in the fibres.

Discover stories through tales in an audio-described exhibition, combining paintings, photography and digital storytelling in a relaxing space.

Focused on community engagement and inclusion, this exhibition features audio-explanation, QR codes and assistance for those with English as a second language.

Artist Catherine Fitz-Gerald said her commitment to making the space inclusive was with her from the beginning and she received a small City of Burnside Community Grant to assist with the exhibition.

‘I looked around at galleries and thought “I can do better”, be the change you want to see in the world,’ Catherine said.

‘Being accessible is more than just having wheelchair access.’

‘The exhibition includes a 30-minute video and stories on the wall. Take your time to explore and really understand the stories – this exhibition is open and accessible to all ages and abilities.’

The daughter of a dressmaker, Catherine’s history with fabrics stretches back to her childhood, sitting at her mother’s feet while she sewed, handing young Catherine scraps of fabric and teaching her the history and stories behind each. It is these personal voices Catherine has sought from her participants.

‘I understood fabrics held stories from an early age. It made me curious about the world and its histories.’

‘Fabrics are important because of culture, making and family. These are ordinary members of the community that have a fabric that is important to them.’

‘Fabrics accompany us in ways few other things do. Babies are wrapped in it when first born and it is what we are dressed in when we are departed. Fabrics protect and carry culture and love and are woven through our language and history. Uniting in a way few other things do.’

If Fabrics Could Speak will be the first exhibition of the new year at Pepper Street Arts Centre from 17 January – 14 February 2025. Workshops will be held including Meet the Artist, Auslan interpreted talks and a sensory tour on Saturday 1 February 2 pm - 3.30 pm.

For more information visit bit.ly/PepStExhibits.

Still searching for the perfect Christmas gift? Head to Pepper Street Arts Centre for the return of the annual favourite exhibition ‘Little Treasures for Christmas’, open until 19 December 2024.

This festive exhibition features over 60 local artists, offering various handmade creations, from jewellery, collages, and textiles to paintings, sculptures, woodwork and wearable art. With affordable prices and a stunning selection, it’s an ideal stop for last-minute shoppers.

For more than 20 years, Little Treasures has been a beloved tradition at Pepper Street Arts Centre, offering the only cash and carry event of the year. The vibrant display bursting with colour and creativity, never fails to impress.

Pepper Street Arts Centre Coordinator Sally Patterson said the exhibition was a significant event in the Centre’s calendar. ‘It’s one of our flagship events, and visitors look forward to it year after year.’

Whether you’re seeking something small and meaningful or a statement piece, Little Treasures for Christmas provides a wealth of affordable, handcrafted art and gifts just in time for the festive season.

For more details on the exhibition and artist demonstrations, visit bit.ly/PepStExhibits.

Congratulations to City of Burnside Swimming Instructor Andrea Bradley, who last month, was named a finalist in the Community-Based Employee of the Year category at the 2024 Maxima Awards.

Andrea is a dedicated nine-season veteran at the George Bolton Swimming Centre and teaches all age ranges, from kids to adults.

When asked what has kept her coming back to George Bolton Swimming Centre for so many years, Andrea said the incredible staff at the Centre as well as the families she has met over her time.

‘I would not have lasted as long in this job without supportive people. Amanda and Ben, Scott and Sean – you can come here anytime, and you’re always greeted with a smile and support. They value you being here,’ Andrea said.

‘It’s also such a beautiful place. Hazelwood Park is a jewel in the City of Burnside, and the pool is the glimmering gemstone. You come here and you fall in love with the place.’

‘I have met families who started lessons at one-year-old and I’ve seen them grow and move into the Olympic pool and onto their final few levels, its multigenerational.’

A lifelong swimmer and water lover, Andrea knows the importance of her work and teaching the new generations the necessity of learning to swim, while still making her classes fun.

‘We want the kids to become aware of water and teach them respect for it as well as giving them life skills. Panic is what causes the most drownings. Giving them strategies so they don’t panic if they find themselves in a situation and they can think their way through it is vital. Even if you just know how to float – get yourself onto your back and relax – you can get yourself out of trouble.’

‘I get to know the students and see where they are at and how confident they are. I have a rough idea of what I want to teach the kids, but you have to be flexible and adapt to where they are on the day.’

Congratulations again to Andrea on her well-deserved recognition. Her dedication to teaching water safety and swimming skills, coupled with her genuine passion for the George Bolton Swimming Centre and its community, makes her an invaluable asset to the City of Burnside. We’re proud to celebrate her achievements and grateful for her continued contribution to the community. Well done, Andrea!

If you are interested in joining the George Bolton Swimming Centre team as an instructor or lifeguard reach out to our team at pool@burnside.sa.gov.au.

Andrea poolside at George Bolton Swimming Centre

Award finalists at the 2024 Maxima Awards

Ben Grant (Team Leader Swimming Centre), Andrea, Amanda Pimlott (Aquatic Programs Officer)