The Mount Barker Courier

Straight-shooter Pistols honored for Hills local coverage

The Courier sports editor Jeff Pistola has taken out the 2024 SANFL Community Football Media Award for his extensive football coverage in the Hills. Mr Pistola was presented with the accolade at the SANFL Community Volunteers Awards at Adelaide Oval...

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Tools-down time for dentist couple

Mt Barker has said its goodbyes to local dentists Stephen Ivett and Julie Monis-Ivett, who retired at the end of last month following decades of putting the best and brightest smiles on people’s faces. The husband-wife duo, who first met as young...

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Renewables debate at community forum

A Mt Barker Councillor has slammed the council’s plan to cut its CO2 emissions by 60% over the next decade, calling it “environmental vandalism”. Councillor Rebecca Hewett levelled her criticism of the council’s Corporate Energy and...

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Tahlia’s talent is awe-inspiring

A CFS employee has been recognised for her efforts to support her colleagues’ development as emergency services personnel. Region 1 administration officer and Eden Hills CFS volunteer Tahlia Wolverson, who works at Mt Barker, has been highly...

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Dry season sparks CFS warning

The CFS and Mt Barker Council are urging Hills residents to prepare their properties and bushfire survival plans ahead of the upcoming fire danger season. It comes after CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin’s announcement last week that the 2024/25...

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Arts trail to showcase Strath’s creativity

A “feast of unique art” will be on offer for attendees of the inaugural Artists of Strathalbyn Art Expo this weekend. The two-day event will feature unique art experiences at galleries alongside South and West terraces, Dawson, High, Harriet and...

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$5m town square gets funding boost

The new Mt Barker city centre’s town square will cost at least $5m to develop, with the State Government to co-fund the project. It follows the decision by project leads, the Mt Barker Council and Burke Urban Investments, to revise plans for a new...

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News

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Dry season sparks CFS warning

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Recreational use added to hub plan

An indoor recreation facility could be established within a section of the former Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club, as the developer behind a new commercial precinct seeks permission to partially change the site’s land use. Adelaide-based developer...

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Ambo calls for greater care as snakes, spiders bite

Increased wildlife activity during spring will likely see a spike in ambulance call-outs for snake bites in the Hills, as venomous reptiles and insects emerge from hibernation in search of food. Intensive care paramedic and SA Ambulance Service...

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Invitation to try bushcare

Nature Festival SA is under way, with a myriad of environmentally-focused events being held in the Hills and elsewhere across the State. The festival is now in its fifth year, returning in 2024 with the theme of ‘Awe’ and a program of more than...

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Council & Politics

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$5m town square gets funding boost

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No Auditor-General review despite $5m discrepancy

The State’s Auditor-General will not review the Adelaide Hills Council’s finances after it reported a $4.8m operating budget deficit for the last financial year. It follows the council’s decision to refer itself to the Auditor-General over...

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Redistribution to balance representation

The Adelaide Hills Council could divide its electoral wards into three and evenly split the number of councillors elected from each, in a bid to address the “perception” that its more populated south-western townships currently have more voting...

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Police

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Grave robbers: plaques stolen from local cemeteries

The theft of headstone plaques from two northern Hills cemeteries has caused more than $13,000 of damage, with the families of those buried left to foot the bill. Brass plaques were stolen from four headstones, a memorial wall and garden area at...

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18 Sep 2024

Police

Boys injured in serious crash

A crash at Summertown has left two teenagers in hospital with serious injuries. Emergency services were called to Tregarthen Road, between Greenhill and Woods Hill roads, shortly after 11.30pm last Thursday night, September 5, after a red Volkswagen...

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11 Sep 2024

Police

Police catch ‘two for one’

Two men have lost their driver’s licences after they were reported by SA Police for drink driving in the same car at more than five times the legal blood alcohol limit, in what SAPOL is calling “two for the price of one”. At about 4.45pm on...

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11 Sep 2024

Police

Footy club frustrated by theft and vandalism

A local football club has been without power for more than a week after vandals ripped out wires from an electrical switchboard and the light towers around the oval, causing between $15,000 and $25,000 worth of damage. The Kersbrook Football Club...

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11 Sep 2024

Community

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Arts trail to showcase Strath’s creativity

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Straight-shooter Pistols honored for Hills local coverage

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Renewables debate at community forum

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Tahlia’s talent is awe-inspiring

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Sport

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Bat and ball

Bat met ball for the first time this season as local Adelaide Hills cricket associations launched into the 2024-25 schedule last Saturday. Hills association defending premier Scott Creek Ironbank enjoyed a first up victory by downing Kangarill...

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Tennis back on court

Adelaide Hills regional tennis competitions launched into a new season over last weekend. Hills Tennis Association commenced with Traditional Division 1 and Division 1 Doubles premiers Strathalbyn and Lobethal respectively both recording solid wins...

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Bases covered

Reigning triple Hills Softball Association A-grade premier Hahndorf opened its title defence with a thrilling victory during last weekend’s Round 1 matches at Anembo Park. The Magpies met Pirates, who have stepped up to top-tier levels for the...

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Opening deliveries

The sound of ball on willow will return this Saturday as the 2024-25 Adelaide Hills regional cricket competitions commence. Hills Cricket Association will feature defending premier Scott Creek Ironbank (SCIB) aiming to repeat a drought-breaking...

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Charity strokes

Competition at the Echunga Golf Club recently provided plenty of strokes in the aid of a good cause. The club’s annual mixed Charity Day was held on Wednesday, October 2, and featured a mixed gender Canadian Foursomes competition, drawing a field of...

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Into the swing of things

Adelaide Hills resident Campbell Thompson has been rewarded with a SACA ‘rookie’ contract following an outstanding 2023-24 Premier Cricket Division 1 season. The past Woodside Warrior and current East Torrens player also got a taste of senior...

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Speedway character passes

The SA speedway community has lost a great supporter and character with the passing of past Adelaide Hills resident Rob Stevens. Known affectionately as ‘Wacka’, Stevens passed away in Waikerie on September 23, aged 79, following a long battle...

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Golf training teed up

Several new and exciting programs are about to be launched at Aston Hills Golf Club in Mt Barker, with a focus towards introducing more women and juniors to the sport. The junior program at Aston Hills will tee off in the first week of the school...

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Editorial

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Editorial

Centre setbacks

Since its inception, the Mt Barker City Centre project has gone through a series of redesigns, as the council and Burke Urban Investments supposedly seek to strike a balance between retail, accommodation and civic offerings. The departure of...

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Editorial

Mind over matter

With October marking Mental Health Month, this time of year is a stern reminder to not only check in on loved ones and co-workers, but to check in on yourself and to make sure that you are actually doing okay. Chris ‘Savvy’ Savill’s story...

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Editorial

Costs off the rails

It’s hardly encouraging that the cost estimate for Talgo’s proposed passenger rail trial between the Hills and Adelaide has blown out again, with the project now estimated to cost almost $10m. That’s double the previous estimate and nearly...

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