FOCUS On Burnside - the news hub

German artist and Egyptologist Maximilian Ferdinand Weidenbach (1823 - 1890) built the Glen Coola stone mansion in 1861. Weidenbach migrated to South Australia in 1846 after studying hieroglyphics in Berlin and participating in a three-year archaeological dig in Egypt.

In 1959 the Presbyterian Girls' College (now Seymour College) purchased the Glen Coola property and converted it into Abergeldie Hospital. In 1997 Hindmarsh Hospital relocated to this site and operated here until 2005, when it was purchased by Patricia Weinert who kept the name Glen Coola for the home, which is now part of the complex known as Abergeldie House.

Glen Coola, circa 1870. Burnside Local History Collection 2021.151.

Five students recently graduated from Council's Cooking for a Cause Course.

The free four-week cooking course teaches teenagers to cook healthy nutritious meals, which will then be delivered to a range of organisations for the homeless in Adelaide via Oz Harvest.

Keep an eye on the City of Burnside website for the dates of courses later in the year.

L - R: Instructor Kate and graduates Finlay, Chloe, Peiran, Lydia and Yeushan

The Clayton Wesley Uniting Church on the corner of Portrush Road and The Parade, Beulah Park was built in 1883 and designed in a Gothic revival style by Edward Davies. The church features a high roofline and an asymmetrically placed 38-metre-tall spire. The spire features a carved relief sculpted by William J Maxwell that depicts 'The Presentation of Christ in the Temple'.

The 'old' church, constructed in 1855, is a stone and brick tuck-pointed chapel in simple Gothic revival style and remains at the rear of the main church today.

Photographs: Clayton Church, circa 1897 and the ‘Old’ Clayton Church, circa 1872. Courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.

Mayor of Burnside Anne Monceaux brings you this week's Burnside Highlights, including:

✅ Magill Village Project progressing with new verge plantings installed
✅ Regal Theatre open again after upgrade to air conditioning system
✅ Life Among Trees exhibition calling for artists until Friday 29 July
✅ Dulwich Community Centre redevelopment consultation closes Friday 24 June.

To find out more information and receive the latest updates about what's going on in Burnside, sign up to engage.burnside at www.engage.burnside.sa.gov.au

Did you know that the gates at Burnside Primary School are local heritage listed? These entrance gates were built in 1926 as a memorial to the scholars who fell in the First World War.

The school opened in 1869 as Burnside School with 42 students and the first licensed headmistress Ruth England. The private home located on William Street, which served as the first classroom, is known today as The Cottage. Over the past century, purpose-built classrooms have been added as the school expanded. There are now over 800 students and 70 staff members. Alumni include Andy Thomas (astronaut), Tim May (Australian cricketer) and Fiona Pike (Australian golfer).

As a mother of four, Danielle Ho is excited for her family's future as City of Burnside residents, enjoying the city's beautiful parks, vibrant community spaces and tree-lined streets.

When Danielle moved into the area in 2010 she was the mother of one toddler son, then aged 2 years. She is now a busy mother of four aged 2, 5, 10 and 14 and says living within the city has created many family memories to cherish.

Burnside Library is one of the first places Danielle visited in Burnside with her first son as she wanted him to develop an enjoyment for reading, “I have fond memories of taking him to Storytime and him enjoying the books read and the craft activities.”

Enjoying songs and rhymes at Baby Chat was a highlight for Danielle and her third baby, while the library also provided much pleasure as Danielle’s children grew. “As our two older kids became primary school-aged, we utilised the school holiday programs - conveniently local, offering value for money, and so much fun!”

Danielle says her two youngest children absolutely love the Toy Library, “It is such a great service because the kids enjoy the excitement of choosing toys to borrow and they also learn the responsibility of ensuring the toys are packed up and looked after once they finish playing with them.”

As well as the library, Danielle and her young family have gained much enjoyment from the city’s parks. “The lush green parks are great for people of all ages, especially for families,” says Danielle. “When our eldest was little we held Easter eggs hunts at the Burnside Adventure Park with his friends - the kids loved it and his friends’ parents commented on what a fun tradition we had!”

Danielle continues to have many fun playdates with friends and family picnics at the surrounding parks, “We encourage our kids to be active, the playgrounds are excellent for climbing and exploring.” Danielle has also enjoyed special events held in Burnside’s parks including Outdoor Movie Night and Pop-up Storytime.

The George Bolton Swimming Centre, located at Hazelwood Park, has long been a family favourite, “As our family grew, we discovered the Burnside swimming pool,” says Danielle. “There is so much family fun to be had there on extremely hot days and we’ve had awesome birthday parties there too.”

As her kids grow, Danielle sees herself as moving into a new season of life – finished with pregnancies, births and babies. She appreciates the local restaurants and cafes, shops and small supermarkets and remains grateful for the beauty of the City of Burnside. “I walk every week with the kids and friends and am grateful for the attractive and well-kept tidy streets and nature walks. I feel so blessed to walk and enjoy the lovely surrounds that Burnside has to offer.”

Danielle Ho with Jonathan (2), Eliza (5) and Maddie (10) enjoying the Toy Library

For the past two years, Vicky Mousoulis and Howard Butler-Nixon have supported local residents to remain healthy and connected by volunteering as drivers for Council’s Home Support Program.

The City of Burnside Home Support Program offers community and personal transport services, providing local residents with convenient, affordable and safe transport.

Howard drives the bus at least once a week taking people to Burnside Village and Norwood to do their shopping. “I enjoy making people happy,” Howard says. “For some people this is the only shopping they do for a week or a fortnight.” Howard works with another volunteer, helping clients on and off the bus and often carrying their groceries to the door.

Vicky does two shifts a week driving the car, taking clients to appointments. “I like meeting people in this age group and hearing their stories and being of help to them,” she says.

Community Transport Officer Jenny McIntyre says Council is looking for more volunteer drivers to assist the Home Support Program. “These services allow residents to keep connected and engaged with their local community and provide a reliable form of transport to get to and from scheduled appointments. However, without sufficient volunteer drivers the service is difficult to maintain.”

Jenny says drivers do not need a special licence to operate community vehicles. Volunteers guide clients safely in and out of vehicles and also assist them to carry small grocery bags. “The car service takes people to appointments such as medical, health care or personal grooming,” Jenny says. “You must be over 65 years old and be registered with My Aged Care to make use of the service.”

Jenny says the volunteers are invaluable not only for their driving services but as social connections and supports for the clients. “They chat regularly with clients and take a keen interest in their health and wellbeing,” she says. “Volunteers may refer clients to Home Support staff so that they may be linked into other appropriate support services.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Council on 8366 4200. Council provides appropriate training in first aid, manual handling and emergency procedures. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We need a steady supply of volunteer drivers,” Jenny says. “These services offer people the chance to be independent, have choices and not rely on friends or family to help them.”

Howard and Vicky with the community bus

Have you seen this interesting building at Kensington Gardens Reserve?

This small brick and terracotta tiled structure housed switching gear for the Kensington Gardens tramline, part of a network of electric tramways which serviced many suburban areas of Adelaide throughout the first half of the 20th century.

In 1911 the Municipal Tramways Trust extended the tram line to Kensington Gardens and purchased what is now Kensington Gardens Reserve, building a band rotunda, games courts, pathways and seasonally popular rose gardens. Trams would pull into the gardens and switch lines at this control point. The last tram to Kensington Gardens ran in February 1957.

Visitors to Moorcroft Reserve in Burnside often enquire about what appears to be a gravesite located in the Reserve. Many stories about this grave circulate, some suggesting it is the resting place of a child, while others believe it is to mark the burial of a family pet.

The headstone reads: 'In loving memory of Alice Maude White, died at birth 17 March 1841'.

If you have any relevant information about this grave, we would love to hear from you at 8366 4200.

The de Mole family from England purchased around 12 acres of land in this locality in 1855 and established a property called The Waldrons. After the last private owner of the estate, Alexander White, passed away in 1959, the grounds were subdivided and Moorcroft Reserve was created.