March Madness

Sort of glad March is over - and it could be because I’m getting older. But then again, it could be because I really wish things could be spread out more. I usually only do WOMADelaide, buy my tickets early, and for for the whole four days with my friend. We stay in town and meet up occasionally for meals, and get to see and experience as many entertainers as possible. This year it was pretty hot, so hot in fact that I didn’t go the last two days. The event area is set up well for heat, but nothing could beat to 40 degree days. The good things was, I saw who I really wanted to see - namely the Bangarra Dance Troupe and Nitin Sawnhey. A couple of the acts I had seen before - Central Australian Women’s Choir, etc - so tried to see new acts. As is always the case, I met a few people and had some great conversations. I always joke that as a family, our superpower is finding connections, and it’s in that we find South Australia really earns it’s big country town status. Next year, I think I’ll try the Fringe.

Paula decided we (the History Room - Mount Pleasant Community Association) should have an entry in the Barossa Vintage Scarecrow competition - to give Clyde from the old Police Station a run for his money (Clyde won last year). Drawing on the experiences of the early settlers, Paula created Tatty Bogle, representing our Scottish heritage. Unlike the rest of the Barossa, Mount Pleasant was settled predominantly by Scottish and English immigrants. Tatty can be seen at the front of the CWA Garden, and if you can, please vote for her (and Clyde!). Just google it and you’ll find a link on the Vintage site.

So, the Show actually did quite well, even though the livestock weren’t represented. Kudos to those who went and supported this great local event.

We have a few things coming up in April - namely Easter at the Market. This year the Market will also join in with the Gather Round Fun - so look out for shenanigans on the 12th, when there will be a ‘Festival of Footy’!

We will also have the Tungkillo Monster Auction on the 13th - not to be missed.

And of course, on the 25th, our RSL will be hosting the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service. Always a solemn event, there will be displays by the local school children, the History Room and the RSL. For those who can’t resist, we’ll have the usual Gunfire Breakfast, and Two Up and Crown and Anchor will be played.

At the end of March, we said farewell to a very popular identity in Barrie Mills. Some of you may not know his name, but I’ll bet you know of him. You may have even stopped for a chat sometime. Barrie could be found at the Bakery (because he loved coffee and cake), he was at the Bowls Club on Thursdays (although he never played bowls), and the Men’s Shed whenever he felt the need (although he never lifted a hammer). Early each month, he would meet up with a group of blokes and enjoy a steak dinner and several glasses of Merlot. We will miss him and his gentle humour and warm personality, and if there is an afterlife, we hope he will be reunited with his lovely wife Marion. Rest in Peace.

Winter in the Hills

Work on Melrose Street continues, and unforeseen problems are being found. It is hoped that the drainage issues (for the most part) will be dealt with, and people who live around the butcher’s shop will not have to worry about wading through water to get to their front doors. The level of the main road has risen quite a way since it was made over a century ago, and whilst the camber allows for good drainage, the issue was that the footpaths and drains didn’t cope well with the run off during a big event.

Saleyard Road has been totally re-done, which makes it safe for traffic during sale time, but more importantly, for the school and kindy kids and families. The curbing is complete and now the water drains away. The drain at the bottom of the hill required more attention, but seems to be working well now.

Meantime, at the other end of the street, work is continuing with the new owners of The Totness Inn Hotel undertaking extensive restoration and renovations. They have been researching the history of the place and uncovering many interesting facts about the old building and the publicans in the process. It will be great to see the old building used again, and we wish them luck. If you want to see how things are going, check out the Facebook page, where there are blow by blow descriptions. https://www.facebook.com/TotnessInnHotel

Rex Amber was an imaginative and productive community member who was responsible for the wooden animals adorning Talunga Park. A few years ago, The Beat pondered what was to become of these wonderful creations, and thankfully the Progress Association tasked John Bowd, together with offsider Peter Wilde to repair, restore and re-install these fantastical creatures for future generations of children to enjoy. They now take pride of place in the picnic area, near the playground and the Men’s Shed ‘Train’.

And finally - we wish the new committee of the Top of the Torrens Theatre Group all the best with their winter production of Noel Coward’s, ‘Blithe Spirit’. The TOTT productions have been a staple in the community for decades, and considering we are a small community, it is great to see so many people still putting their hands up. So many great performances and productions - a particular favourite of mine was the performance for the 90th celebrations of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall. What a great night! Even though there might be a few new members on the committee, it is to the great credit of all those who kept in going for so long - because once we lose these fantastic groups, it’s very hard to get them back. https://www.facebook.com/Top-Of-The-Torrens-Theatre-Group-Inc-200700436615816

It might be really cold outside, but there are still lots of events in the hills - especially if you like food and wine - and lots of things also for kids during the School holidays. Get out there and get into it!

Single, red vine…. on the road to Gawler.

Totness Inn Hotel

Above - Saleyard Road during, and right, after.

One rule....

I try not to get too political in the newsletter, as proper journalists do it so much better, and many of the stuff that upsets me is nothing to do with the district - but…

In the last year or so, a local politician was flagged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for submitting documents regarding entitlements for overnight stays, travel, etc. As he resigned from his portfolio, and said he would not be contesting the next state election (and his replacement is almost a permanent fixture on local newspapers), and paid back well over $30,000, we are not untouched. So when I listened to the the head of the ICAC Commissioner The Honourable Ann Vanstone QC speak against the bill that was presented to Parliament last week, I was interested in her point of view.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/26/three-south-australian-ministers-resign-from-cabinet

The bill that was put forward by SA Best MP Frank Pangallo, who in a former life would have hunted these miscreants down, passed in an embarrassingly short time. But the thing that really upset me, was that NO MP voted against it. Limiting the powers of an investigator to do what they were hired to do is unconscionable. The former ICAC Commissioner predicted this as he left office last year. (Justice Bruce Lander QC released the Oakden Report, prompting a Royal Commission.)

For more information on The Hon. Ann Vanstone and her predecessor: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-27/ann-vanstone-announced-as-new-commissioner-against-corruption/12495202

For those of us who have worked under rules that prohibit us from passing on any information, sharing documents, even talking about our employer on social media, asking people not to rort the system would seem to be a no-brainer. Asking someone with some sort of degree in business or finance to at least make sure their documentation is on point - especially when it comes to public money (because yes, WE pay THEM) - shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s what a good employee would do. It’s what an honourable person would do.

If the Tax Office wants our money, they are onto us fast enough, but apparently it only works one way - although, in the face of a class action, the Federal Government admitted liability for the unlawful Robodebt scheme.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/29/robodebt-government-to-repay-470000-unlawful-centrelink-debts-worth-721m

Just as I was composing this, this happened:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-01/icac-investigating-gladys-berejiklian-daryl-maguire/100506956

Not unexpected, but listening to the news conference, Premier Berejiklian made it all about her and how she was fighting for NSW against COVD-19. Yes, it has been arduous, and she has fronted the media and tried to hold it all together, but hubris is often the only thing we remember, and it’s not like this is a new thing. I think the reprieve she got when COVID-19 ramped up gave her breathing space.

And on a lighter note - the wind has finally blown the last of the blossom from the ornamental pears in the CWA Garden, leaving a carpet of ‘snow’ on the ground.