BAG Newsletter - February 2026

AS we come to the end of another Summer we can reflect on South Australia’s good fortune once again and appreciate just how lucky we are to live in his part of the World! Yes, we have experienced some hot days (and nights) but unfortunately, no rain. However, compared with other parts of the country which have suffered extreme bushfires (coupled with heavy flooding), we are surely blessed.

The long, drawn-out dry and hot weather has meant that many of BAG’s gardening projects have demanded extra attention. This of course reflects in extra work for our dedicated Green Volunteers - for which we say, “thank you”. Elsewhere in this Newsletter you can catch up on some of these activities.

We would like to extend a warm Welcome to the many newcomers who have offered to assist BAG in a variety of activities over the past 12 months. 

BAG does not have an Annual Membership fee. All our Members are invited to be part of the Action so, if you are interested, just rock up! You would be made to feel most welcome.

We look forward to a rewarding year ahead and hope you will be able to join us on several occasions.

Best wishes,

Geoff Bartlett

BAG Secretary and Newsletter Editor 

BAG ALWAYS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS                                                      

IF YOU have recently moved into our lovely Hills’ area (or maybe have retired), BAG offers many options for you to get involved. Most of our activities do not involve heavy lifting but we believe you will find a friendly lot of like-minded residents participating.  Detailed below are just some of the Events and Activities coming up this year, which may interest you.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to be part of the Action.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

YOU can make a real difference around Blackwood  by joining in one of the following BAG activities.

CLEAN UP AUSTRAIA DAY – SUNDAY 1^st MARCH commencing 8.45am

This is our one big chance to clean up Blackwood – Main streets, Shopping Centre Car Parks and Public Reserves. Participants will be split into three different Teams to cover the main approach roads to the Blackwood Roundabout

• MAIN ROAD to Hungry Jacks

• COROMANDEL PARADE to Hewett Sports Ground

• SHEPHERDS HILL ROAD to Colebrook Reconciliation Reserve

The Clean-Up activity starts from the Blackwood Railway Station rear shed in the Car Park at the bottom of Station Road.

ALL Volunteers are required to REGISTER prior to participating. A traditional FREE BBQ brunch with yummy salads and sweets (tea, coffee and soft drinks) will be held in the Ticket Office (entry from the Main Platform) commencing at 10.45 am.

COROMANDEL STATION GARDENS WORKING BEE - SATURDAY 7^th MARCH 

We meet in the top Car Park at 9.00am. Our main job today will be to deadhead all the Aggies. All gardening tools, visi vests, gloves etc will be provided. A light Morning Tea will be provided under the Station shelter at 11.00 am.

BLACKWOOD STATION GARDENS WORKING BEE – SUNDAY 12^th APRIL

ALL the Aggies will have been deadheaded by then so it will just be a matter of cleaning up the gardens and pruning any shrubs and tree branches requiring attention. Meet at the shed in the private car park at 9.00am and around 11.00am we will adjourn to the Ticket Office for a Light Morning Tea.           

SA HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES – DURING MAY

BAG’S Local History Sub-Committee has been busy planning a variety of Local History Events for 2026. Keep a watch on your Emails during April for final details, booking arrangements etc.   You won’t be disappointed.

BAG’S A.G.M.

OUR 2025 Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 26^th November in the Blackwood Station Ticket Office. The following local Residents were elected, unopposed:

BAG General Committee

• PRESIDENT: Brian FERRIS

• VICE PRESIDENT: Bernie MORGAN              

• SECRETARY: Geoff BARTLETT 

• TREASURER: Bernie MORGAN

Committee Members:             Ex-Officio Member

• Lis BARTLETT                   Adrian BEECH (Xmas Red Bows Coordinator)

• Leith BELL 

• Peter DAVIES                    

• Pauline DODD      

• Kay LEVERETT 

• Tom MORRISON

COUNCIL’S ANNUAL AWARDS RECOGNISE BAG VOLUNTEERS

IN CONJUNCTION  with the Mitcham Council’s Annual Citizenship Ceremony  at the Mitcham Library on 29^th January, two of BAG’s dedicated volunteers were honoured with Awards.

BAG President, BRIAN FERRIS, received the award for the “ACTIVE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR” recognising his commitment to volunteer service in many Mitcham Hills Groups, including the Blackwood Neighbourhood Watch; the Blackwood Action Group: the Rotary Club of Coromandel Valley and the Mitcham Hills Combined Probus Club.

Over many years Brian has helped build a sense of Community Pride, Connectivity and selfless Volunteer Service in the Mitcham Hills.

The other successful Award was for the COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR namely The Hawthorndene 100 Year Celebration (a Community Picnic held on the historic Hawthorndene Oval on the Labour Day October long weekend.  BAG’s Community Links Group Coordinator, PAULINE DODD accepted the Award on behalf of the many Community Residents and local Businesses with support from Mitcham Council. It was a fitting climax to a very successful year of celebrations.  

WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND WAITE? …….   Keeping us connected

BAG is so appreciative of having been asked to assist in the production of this bi-monthly Newsletter by our Local State Member for Waite, Catherine Hutchesson, MP.  It covers all suburbs in the Waite Electorate and has just celebrated its first anniversary.              

Each Edition includes a very comprehensive coverage of activities and many significant events organised by Schools, Churches, Volunteer Community Groups, Sporting Clubs, Art Groups, Local History articles and celebrations, Council’s Community Centre Programs etc. The paper also offers helpful advice on worthwhile topics like Bushfire preparation, Mental Health, First Aid Training, recycling suggestions,

A very handy Calendar of forthcoming Community Events and Group Meetings is also included in each Edition. You can pick up a copy at one of the many Supermarkets in the area or shops where The Blackwood Times was distributed or read it online here.

DO YOU HAVE A VERGE GARDEN?                                                                               

WE consider living in this part of the Adelaide Hills is indeed a privilege and having built our house 58 years ago, we have no desire to relocate - even to a beach-side suburb!

One of the main attractions for us is the hills natural landscape. When we first moved into our new home, we could actually get a very small glimpse of the sea, but not anymore.  The healthy trees everywhere have grown – especially in the new housing developments nearby.  

You may be aware that Mitcham Council has recently been encouraging residents to create verge gardens in front of their properties - to not only improve the appearance of their gardens but add significantly to the overall street appeal of their whole neighbourhood. The idea is catching on as our nearby neighbours can attest.

If you would like to contribute, may we suggest you look up the Council’s Website: https://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/our-environment/trees-and-plants/green-your-verge or call into the Blackwood Library (Tiwu Kumangka) and pick up the fully illustrated Verge Greening Guide booklet, which contains all the information you will need to get started.

CHRISTMAS RED BOWS  

CHRISTMAS 2025 was the 23^rd consecutive year in which CHRISTMAS RED BOWS have adorned Blackwood’s main road approaches to the Roundabout hub and many suburban streets around the District.

The new red tuille netting has proved very popular with residents and BAG would like to thank our three Sales outlets: Fairleys Shoex, Blackwood Newsagency and Stationers and the Office Staff of our Local Member for Waite (Catherine Hutchesson, MP.)  for their dedicated contribution.

We think it is fair to say that, apart from the illuminated Cross on the Uniting Church window and the reindeers on Bracegirdles veranda roof, the BAG Red Bows tied to the many fences, shop verandas and street trees along the main road approaches each year, add considerable colour to Blackwood’s streetscapes at this special Festival Season.

Last year was the final time our Red Bow Managers, Joan and Adrian Beech, will be coordinating this Event and BAG would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to them both for their tireless dedicated efforts over so many years. BAG is hoping that the tradition will continue in 2026 and, who knows, there could be some variations on a theme emerging?

SANTA COMES TO BLACKWOOD and has a stopover

THE FIRST weekend in December was possibly the most exciting time in Blackwood all year. It may even have outshone the long-awaited opening of the upgraded Young Street mall which was officially launched that week.

YES, it was that time of the year again when SANTA made his triumphant journey down Main Road to the Waite Street Reserve - escorted by many hundreds of Pageant participants to the absolute delight of thousands of youngsters and their parents who lined the Parade route.

The evening was near-perfect weather-wise and a big “THANK YOU” must go to the Pageant Organizers - the Blackwood Lions Club Volunteers; Catherine Hutchesson, MP, and all her willing Staff and helpers for their support and Members of The Rotary Club of Coromandel Valley who organised the Christmas Fair which followed. A top night was enjoyed by all.

But that was only the beginning! The weekend that followed was also one of total fun and enjoyment. The Blackwood Christmas Tree Festival was held upstairs in the Blackwood Community Centre (Tiwu Kumangka). Over 1200 visitors attended this amazing bi-annual Event organised by BAG’s Community Links Group Volunteers.    

Santa was the main attraction for the many excited youngsters of course but there was so much more to see – and do. There were 42 very appealing decorated Christmas Trees for sale - created by children from local Kindergartens, Childcare Centres, schools plus local Businesses and Community Groups. There was also a big variety of home-made Christmas Gifts, decorations etc. available to purchase.

Overall, more than $8,000 was raised ($5,000 was donated to the Sturt CFS Unit and $3,000 to the Sturt SES Group). Congratulations to all volunteers in BAG’s Community Links Group who spent hundreds of hours over the past 12 months or more planning this major Blackwood Event.

THE STOBIE POLE MURALS ARE STILL GOING UP

TWELVE new murals have recently been installed on MAIN ROAD Stobie poles. They were inspired by art students from classes conducted by Ruth Flahery and Renee Goulding in Tiwu Kumangka, late last year. They certainly have added more colour to the streetscape …….  and there are more works in the making!

BAG would like to thank ALL the amazing artists who have contributed to the Stobie Poles mural program over the years. The first murals (outside Wittunga Botanic Garden) were erected in January 2021 – over 5 years ago!

If you have an artistic flare and would like to contribute to the Stobie Pole mural program, we would appreciate hearing from you. There are only limited opportunities still available.

Please contact Brian Ferris Mob: 0423 126 269 Em. blferris@adam.com.au OR Geoff Bartlett Mob: 0408 117 003 Em: barty38@outlook.com