2024

I have not felt up to writing a blog for some time. After the Referendum, I didn’t feel like doing much at all. And now, we have Australia Day to contend with.

The Mt Pleasant Community Association Inc, which runs the Australia Day Community Awards ceremony decided that this year we would hold it on the 28th. This year the holiday makes it a long weekend, and we had an issue a few years back when many people stayed away. As the event is funded by the MPCAI, sustaining a loss is a big hit for us. Some people have complained to us in the past that we shouldn’t charge for the Breakfast, but as the main event funded by council is held at Tanunda, we have only approached council once for funding, where we received a small amount. A lot of effort for a small return.

We have always enjoyed the community awards event. Taking submissions from members of the community regarding who they think is worthy of an award is always rewarding for us, and we have often found out things about community members that we never knew. There are some great people in this district. Many of whom get no recognition, and that’s the way some of them like it. We are proud of all our past recipients, and are looking forward to this year’s event.

As previously mentioned, we are a small community organisation and would rather spend the money on community projects than sustain a loss, and many of the people who bring this event to our town have been doing so for decades. It’s no small feat to get up early and set everything up to serve a hot breakfast - not knowing how many people will attend.

In the last few years, a few community members have attended a couple of workshops with Chris Sands, who started the Totally Locally movement. Chris is all about passing on free information and advice that encourages communities to be proud of what they have achieved. To support each other and small businesses so their towns don’t die. One of the initiatives was a ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ event, which Eden Valley has used to its advantage over the last year, and Cath Davies from Robbers Dog also used to encourage people to assist with the re-vamp of the CWA garden.

One of the perks of COVID has been an increase in the populations of many small towns, with families choosing to move from the cities where the likelihood of the transmission of virus’ like COVID is more likely, to an area where the population is more likely to not travel to risky places at those times.

A ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ event seems like another good reason to get together at a time when we are more likely to have people willing to take a couple of hours mid-morning to come along and have a cuppa and a chat. We welcome those who are new to our town, and look forward to meeting them and letting them know what the district has to offer.

We hope you’ve had a restful and enjoyable Christmas and new Year, and that we see you at the Community Awards event on January 28th at the CWA Garden.

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.

End of an Era

Yesterday we farewelled Dr Ken Sieben, who has been a huge part of our community since coming here in 1989. It was clear from the feelings expressed at the event, that he was a much loved doctor and member of our community, and his calming presence will be sorely missed. Naturally because of COVID restrictions, the event was a lot more low key than we might have liked, but somehow I think Ken preferred this. Many thanks to Aylene Mueller who was the organiser - it can’t have been easy - and to all those who came, what amazing memories (none of which can really be shared because off the unique place that health professionals hold in our community). Good luck to Ken and Julie on the next part of their journey - and hopefully we’ll still see them around a lot. Thank you.

Riding along...

I truly can’t get my head around all that’s happening and sometimes I feel like I’m living in an alternate universe.

Some things about COVID-19 are really stuffing up businesses, jobs and how we get on day to day, but sometimes I think people are using it as an excuse to act badly, or not act at all. For a few minutes of positive reaction, it seems some people are willing to do anything.

Promises have been made, but there are big ones that don’t seem to have been followed through. So many of those affected by the fires are still waiting for claims to be assessed and buildings to be approved. There are great people out there still providing support, and some wonderful initiatives have occurred, but there is still a long way to go.

We are apparently living in a time when although so many need succour and support, others display the most dreadful acts of selfishness and stupidity. It is often said that the culture of a place is influenced from the top, and I believe that. The next month can’t come soon enough as the horrible and cruel words and deeds from across the world seep through so many other places, and people adopt this aberrant behaviour because it suits them now. When we look back on these times, what will we remember? That people pull together - because that really is human nature - not this terrible stuff playing out on TV and social media.

And back at home deals are being done. Rebekha Sharkie and her offsider have added their vote to the coalition’s and many of those degrees under the ‘Humanities’ banner have had their fees increased dramatically, whilst those subjects that fall under STEM (Science, Technology & Mathematics) have had their fees cut. So, many people can’t see the problem, but think on it.

The dictionary definition of ‘Humanities’ - One of the main branches of learning. A scholar of the humanities studies history, literature, the fine arts, and philosophy. Or Wikipedia - academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. ... The humanities include the study of ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, human geography, law, politics, religion, and art.

Those finer things that make us ‘different’, that define us as living, thinking creatures. Search online for those courses covered under ‘Humanities’ and you might be surprised at just how wide they reach.

But of course, these ‘arrangements’ can’t be seen in isolation, and even though things are denied in the media, a cursory glance at the local paper will see initiatives that are suddenly given the green light. One in particular is the most asked question in our little town (apart from “when will my road be graded?” in winter!), and that is “When will the Amy Gillett be finished?” The news was released this week in a media release from the Adelaide Hills Council. (see attached)

I think this is a great thing, and fervently hope that the leg from the edge of the Adelaide Hills Council to Mt Pleasant will follow shortly. It is a paltry amount, and important to those in the hills, but was delivered at what cost? To those who cannot afford the new fees, and the cost of the devaluing of those humanities subjects, we can only wait for the fallout.

Just remember, that many of those making the decisions for our country were the beneficiaries of the largely ‘free’ education in the 70’s and 80’s.

Too much on!

It’s been a full few weeks, and this week is the most hectic.

Our renovations continue with the two arched windows being installed yesterday, so we are now able to see the front footpath for the first time. The office extension was added around 1969, and last week at the History Soup ‘n Cinema event I met someone who used to work there before the extension was added. I am hoping to have a good catch up with her to find out how the two rooms would have looked back then. This Thursday we are having a Slice ‘n Cinema afternoon, showing the Australian movie ‘Malcolm’. It’s very funny and uniquely Australian. See the events page for details. These movie events will continue fortnightly until further notice, so if you can’t make it this week, try and join us in the future. It’s a great antidote for COVID-19 restrictions.

SACWA Craft sessions started back last week and we had the funniest morning, and then adjourned to the bakery for lunch. SACWA welcomes anyone who wants to learn new crafts, we are an inclusive bunch and enjoy passing on our expertise and helping newcomers.

Tonight I travel to town to join the SACWA Marketing group to brainstorm more ideas about how we can overcome the shortfall caused by the cancellation of the Royal Show, losing us our major fundraiser for the year. I helped in the kitchen last year and I have to say, it was all go, go, go!

I will be typing up the newsletter over the weekend, so if anyone has anything to add, you need to get it to me by tomorrow evening. Electronic articles are preferred, but if you have something typed, or a photo that needs scanning, that will be OK.

Try and stay warm today - the next few days look so much brighter, and with some good rains in the past week, the farmers may even have something to smile about.

A nice day in

Well, the latest newsletter has been ‘put to bed’ and I can relax for a week or two, although I’m always on the lookout for news or interesting items.

I remember back to my first newsletter (June 2015) when I thought that if I got four pages I’d be lucky. We were talking about establishing an incorporated body to take over the running of our council assets - The Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and Talunga Park. In some ways we’ve advanced, and in others, it feels like we’ve been standing still, and it seems we have many of the same issues still not being addressed properly.

The Caravan Park is making more money than ever, and I’m sure it’s due in no small part to our Caretaker Dave Mac - who turns 50 this month. The park always seems to be full and those who stay there long term seem very happy. Many of the residents have integrated really well with the community and several of them are members of various clubs and organisations, we are lucky to have them.

Nowadays the newsletter is more likely to be in excess of 16 pages and there are reports and articles from all over. I try to include as much as I can from The Barossa Council, as I doubt many people have the time (or the willpower) to read through the hundreds of pages of Agendas, Minutes and attachments. Gareth Saunders has taken up the task of sending me a report from the Progress Association and Kath Fisher makes sure we know what the CWA, Red Cross and Friends of the Hospital are up to. Occasionally we get information form the Men’s Shed, but often they are busy off helping people and don’t get time to send things through.

Paula as usual is a fount of knowledge with all things Historic, and this month she told me about a Mt Pleasant connection with Simpson and his Donkey - and how one of the soldiers he took up to be looked after by the medics was Alec Bax - who lived in our house with this parents and siblings. Sadly not even the heroic John Simpson Kirkpatrick could save Alec, and he died shortly after. The Bax family also lost Murray and Ben as a result of the First World War, something that is almost impossible to comprehend now.

Paula also mentioned that it was thought that Captain Starlight visited Palmer (and possibly mount pleasant) when he was getting rid of his rustled cattle. Captain Starlight was the subject of our first Australian Classic movie that we showed towards the end of July, and it went over so well, we will continue it fortnightly - the next showing being ‘The Shiralee’ with Bryan Brown. We supplied hot soup and rolls with the movie, and I will attach the recipe for the Peanut and Chicken soup here, as so many people have asked for it. (If you don’t like things hot, only add half a teaspoon of Cayenne. Also, if your guests are ‘allergic’ to Coriander (Cilantro), omit it. It’s a lovely, tasty soup and freezes well.)

Although the nights have been foggy and cold, the days have been sunny and crisp, and that’s got to cheer you up in these odd times. Take care and stay warm!

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Gotta love technology

Technology is great - when it works. I’m not sure what has caused my latest round of dramas, but I don’t think I’m alone as there have been a few queries on social media as well.

Maybe there are a whole pile of annoyed individuals with ninja tech skills who are stuck at home and have decide to play with us - just for fun. I’m not sure what happened, but several phone calls to Telstra and Apple have indicated that the settings were changed on my emails - and I didn’t do it.

In the meantime, Apple support got me going, and my computer has just downloaded over 30,000 emails and is still going - all but a couple of dozen I have already dealt with. According to Telstra, they’ll just keep downloading until their backup runs out - there could be 60,000…

And all this has come five weeks after the printer dramas - which I have sorted by researching online and purchasing a Brother printer. It has arrived and was easy to set up, although it doesn’t print as nicely as I’d like, it will do. Meantime, we went to Bunnings and disposed of the old printer in their ‘unplug and drop’ bin. A great way to responsibly dispose of e-waste.

So, the newsletter will be out a bit later than I planned, but this is the way we roll, apparently.

Again, it will be much smaller, but we need to keep communications going - especially if all we are hearing is stay home’, ‘practice social distancing’, etc.

Social History

Today the hall was veiled for Anzac Day. Normally, this would have been done earlier, and there would be more, but it’s a little more difficult nowadays.

In the last half a dozen years or so, the traditional Anzac Dawn Service has attracted so many people that we have taken to holding it at the hall. It is usually followed by a gunfire breakfast and a few games of two-up. The hall is bedecked with the poppies, and filled with memorabilia of most of the conflicts our nation has experienced.

As we are unable to do this tomorrow, a movement has been gathering momentum for people to observe this solemn occasion by standing in their driveways at 6am. The ABC will be broadcasting the Dawn Service from the Australian War Memorial, starting at 5.55am (delayed for us), so you can stand in your driveway, and listen to the radio.

This will be an important part of our social history. Even though, around the time of the Vietnam War, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day lost favour with the community, in recent years we have learned more and understand better the significance of remembering those lost to conflict, and those who served, and who are still serving.

The old saying goes that if we don’t learn from history, we are condemned to repeat it. Whatever way you decide to commemorate Anzac Day, or not at all, our thoughts will be with those who suffered, and who still suffer.

If you are standing in your driveway in solidarity with those who choose to commemorate, please send us some photos so we can share with our community via the newsletter, and also by recording this for our history.

mtpleasantbeat@gmail.com

Thank you.