The Mount Barker Courier

Council staff exodus continues

The Adelaide Hills Council has continued to bleed staff in the wake of major changes last year. Council director of community and development Natalie Armstrong tendered her resignation recently, effective from the end of this week. It comes after...

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

News

More funding needed to continue tree salvage work after Cudlee Creek fire

A local organisation which recovers and repurposes plantation trees impacted by the Cudlee Creek bushfire is at risk of disbanding, but co-founder Cass Selwood says its work is not done yet. Treecovery was formed in 2021 by a team of locals whose...

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

News

Hills homelessness an ‘epidemic’

Housing supply and affordability in the Hills is reaching a “critical point”, with a Mt Barker reverend reporting a significant increase in people seeking short-term accommodation, while a man who is experiencing homelessness labels the current...

Fin Dunford

10 Apr 2024

News

Rise in number seeking financial help

A local community outreach organisation has seen a “significant” uptake in people needing financial support, as Hills residents continue to face mortgage stress and cost of living pressures. Mt Barker Community Centre (MBCC) manager Nicki van...

Fin Dunford

10 Apr 2024

News

Tony to provide a voice for First Nations people

SA First Nations Voice to Parliament representative Tony Wayne Minniecon, who was elected to the advisory body last month, is confident that the spark that will light the fire of reconciliation can never be extinguished. A Kabi Kabi (Sunshine Coast)...

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

Community

Kansas recognised for LGBTQIA+ support

A Belair resident who has provided support and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people has been nominated for a Young Achiever Award. Kansas Bird, a non-binary person, has been a champion for the LGBTQIA+ community since their days at high school, assisting...

Scott Murphy

10 Apr 2024

News

Gather Gone? Mt Barker AFL games in doubt

The future of Gather Round games at Mt Barker hangs in the balance, despite record attendance at two AFL matches in the Hills over the weekend. Mt Barker’s Summit Sport and Recreation Park hosted clashes between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast...

Scott Murphy

10 Apr 2024

News

Customers return, but support still needed

Stirling Business Association chair Sarah Burchell is “grateful” to shoppers returning to the main street over the past month, but says more needs to be done to attract locals and visitors and prevent the recent uptick from falling away again...

Joseph Moore

03 Apr 2024

News

View all

News

More funding needed to continue tree salvage work after Cudlee Creek fire

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

News

Hills homelessness an ‘epidemic’

Fin Dunford

10 Apr 2024

News

Rise in number seeking financial help

Fin Dunford

10 Apr 2024

News

Tony to provide a voice for First Nations people

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

Council & Politics

View all

Council and Politics

Council staff exodus continues

Joseph Moore

10 Apr 2024

Council and Politics

Three-year agreement for rally

The Adelaide Rally will continue in the Hills for another three years, after organisers reached a new agreement with the Adelaide Hills Council. A multi-year agreement was supported by councillors at last week’s council meeting, where Adelaide...

Joseph Moore

03 Apr 2024

Council and Politics

Councillor: stickers could improve waste habits

The Adelaide Hills Council will investigate distributing stickers to its residents to help educate them about how to dispose of different types of rubbish. At a meeting this month, councillors supported a suggestion by Councillor Kirsty Parkin that...

Elisa Rose

20 Mar 2024

Police

View all

Police

Roadside robbery

A small family-run farm at Ironbank has been forced to close its unmanned roadside stall after thieves stole a large quantity of cash. Garlic producer Haaseford Farms had an “honor system” stall at Ironbank which allowed customers to purchase...

Scott Murphy

03 Apr 2024

Police

Arrest over stolen firearms

A cache of stolen firearms was seized from a Macclesfield property on Thursday, following a SAPOL investigation. Police searched a property on Wirrinilla Drive, where eight firearms and ammunition were located. Police said the weapons were stolen...

The Courier

27 Mar 2024

Police

Quick response and wind direction prevent ‘nasty’ situation

Fallen powerlines sparked a small fire at Bletchley last week in what could have been a “nasty” situation during an extreme fire danger day. The CFS declared a total fire ban across most of south-eastern SA on February 28, due to strong winds...

The Courier

06 Mar 2024

Police

Freeway car fire causes delays

A vehicle fire on the freeway near Stirling on Thursday last week has caused minor delays for commuters. Emergency services received reports of a car fire and potential grass fire at about 12.50pm with two CFS firetrucks and about 10 firefighters...

The Courier

06 Mar 2024

Community

View all

Community

Kansas recognised for LGBTQIA+ support

Scott Murphy

10 Apr 2024

Community

Big Rocking Horse a painted pony

After 43 years, Gumeracha’s big rocking horse has undergone a facelift thanks to the generosity of an Adelaide business which wanted to reinvigorate the tourist attraction. The Big Rocking Horse owner Mell Penno said the landmark structure had...

Scott Murphy

27 Mar 2024

Community

Goats and dodgem cars to feature at Mt Barker show

Goats will take centre stage at the Mt Barker Show this year, as the celebrity milking competition returns, challenging politicians, sponsors and other local identities to milk a goat in front of the crowd. The milking competition was a staple of...

Louis Mayfield

20 Mar 2024

Community

Charity on the search for puppy ‘foster carers’

A Verdun-based national assistance dog charity has launched a program encouraging people working full-time to help raise its dogs-in-training. The Australian Lions Hearing Dogs, which trains dogs to assist people with hearing impairment, will launch...

Scott Murphy

13 Mar 2024

Sport

View all

Sport

Title defences commence

Hills Football League launches into the 2024 season with Round 1 matches being contested this Saturday. Fresh from claiming their maiden HFL Division 1 A-grade title last season, defending premier the Nairne-Bremer Rams will meet grand final...

Jeff Pistola

10 Apr 2024

Sport

Pick up sticks

Adelaide Hills Hockey Club teams launched into Round 1 senior metropolitan contests last weekend The Hornets Division 2 men played Flinders Uni, and while Hills displayed some good early positive signs, Flinders sealed a 4 -0 win the final term...

Jeff Pistola

10 Apr 2024

Sport

Positives for new season

Revamped FC Summit senior men teams kicked off the 2024 SA Amateur Soccer League Division 4 campaign last Saturday by hosting Southern Breakers. FC Summit’s A side were without club captain Tom Richardson and defender Jamie Coombes, but still...

Jeff Pistola

10 Apr 2024

Sport

Summit Gathers fans

AFL Gather Round’s second visit to the Adelaide Hills once again proved a rousing success last weekend. Following the inaugural 2023 event, Summit Sports Park in Mt Barker was assigned two matches this season, and both drew sell out crowds. Sydney...

Jeff Pistola

10 Apr 2024

Sport

Lobethal dominate rinks

Lobethal have emerged as the dominant club within Hills Bowling Association ranks following Saturday’s completion of the 2023-24 season. Lobethal won its second consecutive – and sixth in nine seasons – Division 1 premiership with an overall...

Jeff Pistola

27 Mar 2024

Sport

Down to wire title

Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) completed a fairytale 2023-24 Hills Cricket Association A-grade campaign with a tense victory over minor premier Mt Lofty in last Saturday’s grand final at Heathfield Oval. After finishing in eighth spot last season, SCIB...

Jeff Pistola

27 Mar 2024

Sport

Barker bows to injury

It once again proved tough going for Mt Barker United’s senior team in Round 4 of State Soccer League (2) competition. Hosting Noarlunga United at Summit Sports Park, Mt Barker were forced to field a squad short of premium strength, due to at...

Jeff Pistola

27 Mar 2024

Sport

Set for premiership pitch

Strathalbyn will meet Hahndorf in the grand final for a second successive season following last Friday night’s Hills Softball Association A-grade preliminary final at Anembo Park. After finishing a rung below Redsox following the 2023-24 minor...

Jeff Pistola

20 Mar 2024

Editorial

View all

Editorial

Gather again

The success of this year’s Gather Round games at Mt Barker has proven once again that the region has what it takes to hold a first-class, national event. Two sell-out AFL games at Mt Barker were complemented by a wide range of family activities...

The Courier

10 Apr 2024

Editorial

Gathering together

The Hills region has been given a great opportunity this weekend to showcase what it has to offer, as Mt Barker gears up to host two AFL games as part of Gather Round. Last year Mt Barker and its surrounds proved that it could host a national event...

The Courier

03 Apr 2024

Editorial

Growing hope

The news out of China that prohibitive tariffs on Australian wine could be lifted is a welcome sign for grape growers in the Hills and further afield. Since the tariffs of between 107% and 212% were put in place on Australia wine by Beijing in 2020...

The Courier

20 Mar 2024

Digital Editions

View all