BAG Newsletter - September 2026
- Geoff Bartlett
- 10 minutes ago
- 5 min read
GREETINGS all BAG Supporters as we celebrate what, despite earlier BoM predictions, turned out to be Blackwood’s wettest Winter for many years. Our rain gauge currently shows we have received over 500 mms. for the three winter months - compared with an average of 300 mms over the previous six years! No wonder Brown Hill, viewed from Old Belair Road, has never looked greener! It certainly has put a smile on all the gardener’s faces in our midst.
Talking about gardens, BAG’s involvement in quite a few landscape horticulture projects in our District have never looked better! Our dedicated “Green Thumbs” have been justly rewarded for all their hard work - as some of our activities indicate in this Newsletter.
If you are a newcomer to BAG, whether it be through one of our many gardening activities, Stobie Pole mural artwork, History Group or Community Links Group projects, we would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to you.
Over the 17 years since our establishment, BAG has been the recipient of many Community Awards – all due to the dedicated commitment of our willing volunteers. Many thanks to all concerned.
NOTE: BAG does not charge an Annual Membership Fee.
With kind regards
Geoff Bartlett
BAG Secretary and Newsletter Editor
BAG’s GARDEN ACTIVITIES DURING WINTER
WITH the record-breaking rains we have experienced, gardens everywhere have rallied.
COROMANDEL STATION: IN our May Newsletter we reported that our Working Bee on the Freight Line platform concentrated on adding much-needed water to all our plantings! What a difference that little drop of water has made!
Our scheduled Working Bee for the 5th September will now be aimed solely on the Commuter-Line gardens. The encouraging word from ARTC, received today, suggests that the long-promised extension of the Freight Line platform fence is “imminent”. That is great news. Watch this space!
BLACKWOOD STATION had a productive day earlier this month with three new volunteers contributing. A BIG welcome to you all.
It was our first working bee since Kay passed away - and think she would have been very happy with the effort. We are pleased to report that LEITH BELL and PETER MARKEY have now taken over the reins. Thank you, Leith, and Peter.
Unfortunately, there have been some graffiti tag incidents of late but, due to a quick response from our volunteers, these were quickly painted over. Rail Care were most appreciative. Incidentally I met a couple oi visitors from Newcastle on a Sunday morning -when painting over a tag, The gentleman, who has a NSW railways background, loved Blackwood Station’s appealing gardens and heritage infrastructure. The upgraded Ticket Office particularly impressed him.
Our next Blackwood Station Working Bee is scheduled for Sunday October 4th.
WOOLWORTH’s CAR PARK: THE row of planter boxes along the north side of the Woolworths/Magnet Car Park were looking somewhat “unloved” earlier this month. BAG volunteers removed and replanted 4 Big Red Geraniums and gave all the plants some fertilizer. The recent rains should be a huge help.
The two old bench seats under the western People’s Choice verandah were looking sad. They were donated to BAG by John Messer (former Blackwood Sound owner) and the Uniting Church on the Roundabout, at the time Council provided replacement seats. BAG volunteers have given them both an undercoat - to be followed by a topcoat (once the warmer weather arrives).
GLENALTA 100 EVENT
The suburb of Glenalta turns 100 this year and to celebrate, BAG's Community Links and History group has been working together to put on a celebration.
Join us Sunday 4 October from 2 - 4PM for a fun afternoon, celebrating the history, stories and community of Glenalta.
The event will feature the launch of the Glenalta Heritage Self-Guided Walks booklet, afternoon tea, live music from local community groups, old-time children’s games, historical exhibits, stories about Glenalta and a free raffle!
It’s a great opportunity to catch up with neighbours, share memories and discover more about the heritage of our local area.
Bring a fold-up chair or picnic blanket if you can, and we encourage you to walk to the event where possible. Limited reserved parking will be available for people with mobility needs.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead and well supervised.
If the weather is questionable, check the BAG website for updates: blackwoodactiongroup.org.au
BAG’S “THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEERS” DINNER
BAG held it’s annual “Thank You to Volunteers” Dinner at The Belair Hotel on Sunday 19th JULY. The venue was the private “Hillsview Room” which comfortably accommodated our 41 supporters who attended this popular function. Representatives from our several Gardening Groups and both the Local History and Community Links Groups joined in the celebration. We were grateful that our Local State MP., Catherine Hutchesson, and two of Rail Care’s Senior Staff could also join the party. The Hotel provided a good variety of fare served by friendly staff. It was a very pleasant occasion.
At the conclusion of our meal, BAG President, Brian Ferris, presented 8 Certificates of Appreciation to various Recipients - for their ongoing service and support.
Brian then asked Catherine to “say a few words”. Catherine, quite unexpectedly, had recently decided to introduce a “Certificate of Recognition - for outstanding volunteer service” to people in the Waite Community. Her announcement that “Geoff and Lis Bartlett” were the inaugural recipients of her new Award came as a complete surprise and astonishment. To say that we were both overwhelmed and grateful for this honour would be an understatement. We are so appreciative of our great Community and all the wonderful volunteers who contribute. Thank you, Catherine – and all supporters.
FAREWELL to KAY
It is with a great deal of sorrow that we must advise the sudden passing of our dedicated Member, Kay Leverett who died on 27th May. Kay attended BAG’s inaugural Meeting on 2nd November 2009 and volunteered in a variety of Activities since that time.
Her first involvement with the local Community was through her local friend, BETH ROBERTSON, when volunteering at the Coromandel Station Working Bees in 2003. Since that time Kay dedicated her whole life to “her Community”. In addition to her commitment on BAG’s Executive Committee, she took on the role of Garden Coordinator of the Blackwood Station Gardens Group in 2010 and got involved in countless other BAG activities including the Christmas Tree Festival, the Christmas Red Bows project, the annual Clean Up Australia effort, the Blackwood Lions Christmas Pageant followed by the Coromandel Valley Rotary Club’s Christmas Fair on WSR. In her “spare time” she was a Committee Member of BAG’s Local History Group and the active Community Links Group. Beyond BAG activities, Kay volunteered at the Blackwood Salvos Op. Shop 3 days a week, Adelaide’s Barr-Smith University Library regularly (after retiring in 2018 from 50 years full-time employment as the longest serving Library Employee), and Secretary of Adelaide’s Classic Model Train Collectors.
STOBIE POLE MURALS PROJECT IS FAST COMING TO A CLOSE
BAG’s decision to add some colour to Blackwood’s main road approaches to the Roundabout was made in 2019. Inspired by friends in West Croydon who had installed murals on all the Stobie poles along Rosetta Street, the BAG Committee approached a couple of Art Groups who were keen on the concept. Today, seven years later, more than 250 colourful and varied murals have been attached to poles, and we have to announce that “the end is in sight”.
Our special thanks to all the artists who have contributed. You can feel justifiably proud of your efforts. We feel a special acknowledgement should be made to renowned local professional Artist, RUTH FLAHERTY, for her untiring enthusiasm and support in not only guiding new artists but contributing so many wonderful murals herself.
Our Community is forever grateful.
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