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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.

In 1838, what is now the suburb of Erindale was owned by the South Australian Company, who leased the land to brewer Henry Dean and tailor Joseph Edmunds. At this time, the area was colloquially known as "Dean's Section."

In the 1850s, the De Mole family built a house called "The Waldrons." In 1889, James Cowan MP purchased the property and renamed it Erindale to honour his Irish roots. The name is likely derived from the Irish words for Ireland ("Erin") and valley ("dale").

When the land was subdivided in 1910, the name Erindale became established in the suburb. Pictured is a view of Erindale house in approximately 1880, situated on what is now Glynburn Road.

Photography courtesy of the State Library of South Australia, B12739.

In this episode of Burnside Highlights we visit Wood Park to remember the history of Burnside’s olive oil industry, take a look at our ongoing Youth Survey and more.

Community Grants – Gold Foundation – Inclusive Hospitality Program

The City of Burnside Community Grants Program offers funding support of up to $5,000 for community groups that provide services and programs to residents that would otherwise go unfulfilled.

A not-for-profit organisation providing support for young people on the Autism Spectrum, the Gold Foundation was successful in their application for funding towards their Inclusive Hospitality Program.

A comprehensive 12-week program, the course will teach autistic young people the ins and outs of working in the hospitality industry from highly experienced mentors. Modules for the program cover topics including hands-on coffee making experience, customer service, health and safety, food handling, stocktake and experience working in the Gold Foundation's 'Shine Like Gold!' Mobile Café and the KOM Café.

Community Manager for Gold Foundation Connor Pangallo said the participants gain more from the program than just hospitality abilities.

‘Participants in Gold Foundation’s Inclusive Hospitality Program develop essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to successfully transition from school life into adulthood, enabling a fulfilling and independent livelihood,’ Connor said.

Burnside Community Grants applications for 2025/26 open mid-January 2025.

Gold Foundation's Shine Like Gold Mobile Café will provide hands on experience for autistic youth as part of the Inclusive Hospitality Program.

The first subdivision of Eastwood took place in 1839, creating an oblong of 40 allotments which faced Devonshire Terrace, now known as Greenhill Road. As its name suggests, the area of Eastwood contained a large stand of gum trees which were fed by five creeks that joined together alongside the east parklands. Although close to the city, the area remained sparsely populated until the 1870s when a number of low-cost houses were built for attendants and groundsmen at the newly built asylum (later known as Glenside Hospital), and other nearby businesses and industries.

One prominent landmark of Eastwood was a large residence at the corner of what is now Greenhill and Fullarton Roads. The villa was built in the 1850s by merchant John Scott Young and was a single storey stone house. Around 1870 merchant J. W Hocart, from Guernsey, Channel Islands, purchased the property and added a second storey. Mr Hocart named the house “Hauteville”. Hauteville remained in the Hocart family for three generations. The building was later demolished, making way for the former ETSA building (now Air Apartments).

Photo: Mr and Mrs Hocart in carriage, with children Emily, Ellen and Walter Hocart on the lawn at Hauteville, circa late 1880s. Burnside Local History Collection.