BAG Newsletter - November 2025

Welcome to the end of another year. How time flies when you are having fun!

Here in beautiful Blackwood, we have been so blessed (if not somewhat confused) with all the late Spring rains and cooler weather. Must say the countryside looks wonderful as do our own gardens plus the attractive garden projects in Public Spaces around our village which our dedicated BAG Volunteers tend on a regular basis. Many thanks to you all for your support.

Details of some of these efforts are recorded elsewhere in this Newsletter plus various Events which our Local History Group and Community Links Group Volunteers have arranged.

A Progress Report on some of BAG’s Activities (since our June Newsletter) are detailed below. For more coverage of certain activities pick up a FREE copy of the “What’s Happening Around Waite” Christmas Newsletter, now available in many Local shops.

An Invitation is always extended to Members of the Hills Community to participate in any of our worthwhile activities and Events. You will be made most welcome.

With kind regards

Geoff Bartlett

BAG Secretary and Newsletter Editor

NEXT BAG PUBLIC MEETING – WED 26 NOVEMBER

PLEASE NOTE: This Meeting will be held in the BLACKWOOD STATION’s former TICKET OFFICE commencing at 7.00pm (entry via the front door on the Main Platform).

BAG’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will include

• OUR PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025

• OUR TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REPORT

• ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS for 2026

  
  

If you would like to join the BAG General Committee, please download the Form below:

BAG Committee Nomination Form.pdf

Download PDF • 125KB

President's Report 2025.pdf

Download PDF • 154KB

DIARY DATES

• BLACKWOOD STATION WORKING BEE Sunday 30 November 9 am to 11 am followed by Christmas Lunch – All BAG Garden Volunteers welcome

• BLACKWOOD CHRISTMAS PAGEANT & FAIR Friday 5 December commences 6.30 pm from Gulfview Road (Refer article in Newsletter)

• CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December 10 am to 4 pm

• COROMANDEL STATION WORKING BEE Saturday 17 January 9 am start

• BLACKWOOD STATION WORKING BEE Sunday 1st February 9am to 11am

BAG’S ‘ACTIONS’ SINCE JUNE 2025 ……….

OUR LOCAL RAILWAY STATIONS COME ALIVE

Both BLACKWOOD and COROMANDEL are looking possibly the best they have ever looked, since volunteers commenced work in 1993. Many thanks to our dedicated BAG Volunteers who contribute tirelessly, and also to the Team of Workers from Keolis Downer for their regular assistance. On the first Saturday in November, we had a “Spring Clean-up” of the Freight Line garden at COROMANDEL STATION. As the photos indicate a large quantity of weeds was removed – and trees pruned. Thank you to ARTC for their support in this project.

The next Working Bee for the BLACKWOOD STATION gardens will be held on SUNDAY 30th November (please note the date change). We will be starting at 9.00am followed by our traditional “Christmas Thank You” lunch. All BAG’s Garden Volunteers (NOT just the Stations’) are invited to join us in the ticket office on Main Platform for a yummy lunch. Cool drinks will also be available.

Regular users of the Main Road GLENALTA Rail Crossing will have observed the huge difference in the streetscape along the western verge. For years this section of Main Road remained derelict but thanks to Rail Care, the City of Mitcham, Catherine Hutchesson, MP., and BAG Volunteers the Rosemary Bushes and other plantings have really taken off. Well done to all concerned.

“WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND WAITE”

The latest (November/December) Edition has now been released. Inspired by our Local State Member, Catherine Hutchesson, MP., with BAG’s assistance, we urge you to pick up a FREE copy from any of the many Local shops and businesses where The Blackwood Times was previously available. You will not be disappointed. A few BAG-related articles are included along with many Events, Meetings etc from a host of other Groups/Organisations. It is hard to imagine that so much is happening around Waite!

COLOURFUL PLANTER BOXES

All the Planter Boxes along Main Road, Shepherds Hill Road and Woolworths Car Park, (installed and maintained by BAG Volunteers over the years) have welcomed the regular Spring rains – and are looking rather “specky”.

Our special thanks to Joan and Adrian Beech for tending the Main Road and S.H.R. collection of boxes, and all the Staffs in the Woollies Car Park shop premises who have offered to water the Geraniums in front of their respective shops (using watering cans provided by BAG). Much appreciated.

P.O. CAR PARK GARDEN and SHR PUBLIC TOILETS

As mentioned in our June Newsletter, colourful murals, depicting the fruit grown in the Blackwood Forest Orchards many years ago, were painted on the exterior walls of the Public Toilets by Artist, Taylr Jay – and what an improvement they have made.

The adjacent small garden in the Australia Post Car Park (established by BAG volunteers in 2010) was looking very sad. We are pleased to report that this area has now been rejuvenated by our Volunteers - with many new plantings added. The timber slats on the bench seat alongside the Ladies Toilet wall desperately need a re-coat of paint. We will be attending to this job shortly.

STOBIE POLE MURALS

This project has been given a significant lift recently with quite a few Art Students contributing, under the guidance of Professional Artists, Ruth Flaherty and Renee Goulding. The classes are being conducted in Tiwu Kumangka Community Centre, and the new murals will be installed shortly on Main Road Stobie poles, including two striking images of Superheroes by Kristy O’Neill (from “The Salty Fox Studio” - next to The Little Leaf and Bean Café). Check them all out soon. Well done all.

BLACKWOOD HILL RESERVE

A few BAG Garden Volunteers recently undertook a clean-up of the Farmhouse Cottage Garden, created in 2016, at the entrance to Mitcham Council’s history table site on Trevor Terrace. The garden is now well-established and the good Spring rains we experienced have been most beneficial. A special word of thanks to all who helped on the day.

BAG ‘ADOPTS’ ANOTHER ROAD

Back in 2010 BAG joined KESAB’s “Adopt-A-Road” program and encouraged local residents to keep a regular check on sections of Shepherds Hill Road and Coromandel Parade – picking up rubbish/litter as they went for their walks

This concept has been quite effective and contributes greatly to Blackwood’s approach roads street appeal. BAG recently sought permission from KESAB to “adopt” Main Road, from the Roundabout to The Belair Hotel. Our request was warmly accepted. If you would like to assist in this new venture, could you please contact Leith Bell on 0417 194 414. Your contribution would be most welcome.

BAG’S “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” DINNER

BAG held its annual “Thank you to all Volunteers” Dinner on Sunday 27th July. The Event, which was well-attended, was held in The Belair Hotel’s Hillsview Room which proved, once again, to be an excellent venue for such an occasion. It was great to be able to celebrate BAG’s activities over the past 12 months in such a cosy atmosphere. Being catered for by the friendly efficient Hotel Staff was another plus.

CHRISTMAS RED BOWS

Would you believe it’s that time of the year again! With Adelaide’s hugely popular Christmas Pageant, attracting a record crowd this year, it is the “trigger” for Blackwood to get amongst the action. BAG Volunteers have been busy preparing packs of Christmas Red Bows - the 23rd consecutive year they have been adorning our streets.

You will be pleased to know that the Bows that are available this year are made from improved (recyclable/ reusable) material.

We encourage you to brighten up YOUR street by buying one (or two) packs – now available from the following “Sales Depots”

• FAIRLEYS SHOEX in Woolworths/Magnet Shopping Centre

• BLACKWOOD NEWSAGENT and STATIONERS Drakes Shopping Centre

• CATHERINE HUTCHESSON, MP’s Office 1/7-9 Young Street Blackwood

COST is $10 per pack (CASH ONLY please)

BLACKWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

Plans for BAG’s bi-annual Christmas Tree Festival are in full swing and once again the Community Centre (top level of Tiwu Kumangka in Young Street), will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December. Santa will be occupying pride of place as usual, so what a wonderful opportunity to bring your offspring/grandchildren along to enjoy this great pre-Christmas Party in Blackwood!

This year we are proud to support our local CFS and SES Teams, as well as GrandCarers SA, through gifts donated to the Giving Tree, Every twinkle and sparkle makes a difference!

Special thanks to our BAG Christmas Tree Festival (CTF) Volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring this Event together.

HAWTHORNDENE 100 CELEBRATION PICNIC

The October Labour Day holiday saw the culmination of many events celebrating Hawthorndene’s Centenary. An old-fashioned “picnic in the park” was held on Hawthorndene Oval with more than 500 picknickers attending. The Event, supported by the City of Mitcham, many local Groups and various artists was a great success. Local schoolchildren participated in old-fashioned picnic games - as well as singing in a children’s choir (The Denes), and even some Maypole dancing to end the day’s activities.

For a little more history on Hawthorndene, some other places of interest and the various Contributors behind the Centenary celebrations we suggest you pick up a copy of “What’s Happening Around Waite” from one of the many shops / businesses around Blackwood.

BLACKWOOD CHRISTMAS PAGEANT & FAIR

The extremely popular Blackwood Lions Christmas Pageant will be held on Friday 5th December – commencing at 6.30 pm from the Hungry Jacks corner on Gulfview Road, down Main Road to the NEW Young Street and then into Waite Street.

The Rotary Club of Coromandel Valley will once again be holding its traditional Christmas Fair on Waite Street Reserve (behind Tiwu Kumangka). A fitting climax to the Pageant there will be something for everyone including entertainment and many food stalls. A great carnival atmosphere.

BAG will be operating a BBQ stall (selling sausages, onions and cool drinks). We invite you to drop by to say “Hi” and grab a snag and drink at the same time. The latest “What’s Happening Around Waite” newsletter has an interesting article in it about the Pageant Commentator. Brenton Ragless. Well worth a read.

Coromandel Valley & Districts National Trust Branch - Request for Help

Most people in Coromandel Valley and Blackwood know the local National Trust Branch through places like Gamble Cottage, Winns Bakehouse or Watchman House. Active since 1970, the Branch has shared local stories, history and hospitality with countless visitors.

With the AGM approaching, the committee urgently needs new members—people who care about local history and want to help keep the Branch alive. Without a viable committee, its future is at risk.

The Branch continues to research local stories, manage archives and properties, and respond to development proposals that may affect heritage places. There’s a need for a wide range of skills—computing, gardening, welcoming visitors, or simply helping bring historical material to life.

They’re especially seeking someone willing to join the committee, but there are many other ways to contribute.

Everyone is welcome at the AGM on Sunday 23 November at Watchman House.

Facebook: Coromandel Valley & Districts National Trust

Phone: 0474 066 776