Story and photos by Kendrea Rhodes

On June the 6th, with weapons drawn and Banner flying, the 16th Air Defence Regiment marched down the main street of Woodside to the beating drums of the Australian Army Band, Adelaide. They were exercising their right to the Freedom of Entry to the township, which was granted to the Regiment in 1996 by the citizens of Woodside.

Saturday’s parade marked the 40th Anniversary (almost to the day) of the raising of the regiment in Woodside, on June 2nd, 1969. Joining the formal parade in camouflage uniform was the 110th Air Defence Battery, who recently returned from service in East Timor. Continue reading 40th Anniversary of Woodside Barracks →

The Hills Band Festival brings 9 great bands with around 200 musicians together in one big afternoon concert.

Community Concert Bands, Brass Bands and School Bands come together to perform jazz, swing, pop, classical and anything in between.

The wide variety of entertainment is sure to suit anyone’s musical tastes.

The festival will be held on Sunday, June 28th from 12:30pm to 5pm at the Lobethal Centennial Hall, Main Street, Lobethal.

It features performances by: Adelaide Hills Concert Band, Cornerstone College, Hahndorf Town Band, Minor Magic (pictured above), Mt Barker District Concert Band, Strathalbyn & District Concert Band, Tea Tree Gully Concert Band, St. Johns Grammar School and Trinity College. Continue reading Hills Band Festival 2009 →

In 1955 Giuliano Lorenzetti arrived in Australia from Italy with a bag, a little money and a big heart. He’d grown up in Italy on a dairy farm and was armed to the teeth with experience and enthusiasm. By 1974 he and his wife Rita had purchased a dairy farm in Lobethal, where they produced high quality milk from a small, healthy and happy herd of cows. With vision and knowledge, the Lorenzetti family have turned this local and natural product into a successful and thriving business, known today as “Tweedvale”. Giuliano explained that their success lies in their practices; a small herd means more attention per cow, healthy cows means better milk and high standards mean a better product. Continue reading Tweedvale MILK →

by Kendrea Rhodes

It was a crisp and sunny autumn day as the echo of the bugler’s ‘Last Post’ drifted through the air. The words, “Lest we forget” hung like droplets akin to the tears falling within the crowd. You could sense the unspoken promise to always remember the sacrifice those young Anzacs made.

Thursday, April 30th was Mt. Torrens Primary Schools’ Anzac Remembrance Day. The school’s principal, Garry MacPherson, has noticed an increasing interest and participation in remembrance services over the years, by students and the local community. Each of the 76 students who attend the school were present that day and played a part in the ceremony through readings, singing, artwork, movie making and remembering. Continue reading Lone Pine planted at Mt Torrens →

Woodside Community Seniors Centre (previously know as Onkaparinga Day Care) has been servicing the community for over 25 years. Located in a beautiful setting at 36 Nairne Road, it runs programs from 10am – 2pm including lunch, three days a week – a mixed session on Tuesdays, a men’s program on Thursdays and a Women’s day on Fridays. Programs are prepared with particular emphasis on promoting independence, wellbeing and social engagement. We are able to provide door to door transport to the program with the support of our wonderful volunteer bus drivers and assistants. Continue reading Woodside Community Seniors Centre … worth a visit! →

It was 1994 at Kate Reynold’s country home in Mt. Pleasant. Around her kitchen table, laden with cakes and cuppa’s, sat some local mothers discussing their day while their children played. This was the first meeting of the Torrens Valley Community Centre, although this humble gathering hadn’t realised it at the time.

Kate, a very active member of the community, recognised a need for people to get together and support each other. The group was growing quickly and later, thanks to Kate’s work, they managed to move out of her kitchen and into the Old School House on the main street of Birdwood. Continue reading Its all about “Community” →

On December the 14th, 2008, the Christmas lights were officially turned on in Lobethal, fireworks filled the night sky, and the streets were a buzz with anticipation. At the same time, something unique also opened its doors; something a bit different that has added a little variety to the main street. Next to the butcher, tucked away at 17 Main St., is an Asian Grocery Store with shelves stocked a mile high, carrying many and varied noodles, rices, sauces, spices, preserves, drinks, meats, sweets, fresh Asian vegetables and much more. Continue reading Asian Grocery in Lobethal →