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Edmund Wright Avenue in Auldana is named after Edmund Wright (1824–1888) a prominent Adelaide architect, best known for designing landmark buildings such as the Adelaide Town Hall and Edmund Wright House on King William Street. In recognition of his contribution, the street was named in his honour in 1980.

One of Wright’s notable projects in the City of Burnside was “Linden”, a grand residence located in Hazelwood Park on what is now Moore Avenue. The property was owned by Alexander Hay and was rebuilt in 1866 in the Italianate style under the supervision of Edmund Wright, in association with Messrs Woods and Hamilton.

Although Linden was demolished in 1967, elements of the original estate remain. The surviving Moreton Bay fig trees and the former gatehouse, known as Linden Lodge on Greenhill Road, stand as reminders of the scale and significance of the historic property.

Photographs: Linden, circa 1900. City of Burnside Local History Collection.

On Monday 20 April the fellas at the Men’s Breakfast came together to celebrate the 99^th birthday of long-time member Aubrey.

A Burnside resident and veteran, Aubrey has been attending the Men’s Breakfast at the Kensington Baseball Club for over 20 years.

A rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, a big brekky of bacon, eggs and sausages (add on a side of cake) and Aubrey’s 99^th was one to remember.

Congratulations to Aubrey on his incredible milestone and thank you to everyone at the Men’s Breakfast for coming along to support a fellow member.

Looking for a relaxed way to connect with other blokes and start the day on a good note? Come along to our weekly Men’s Breakfast - enjoy good food, great coffee, and easy conversation in a welcoming setting, every Monday morning at the Kensington Baseball Clubrooms.

To take part, you’ll need a Social Support Group referral through My Aged Care and be registered with the Burnside Home Support Program. Bookings are essential.

Call our Home Support Team today for more info: 8366 4193

In honour of ANZAC Day this weekend, today’s Windback Wednesday honours the service and sacrifice of Albert Carl Schmelzkopf, commemorated at the Burnside District Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial at Tree Number 87.

Born in East Adelaide in 1896, Albert was among the first South Australians to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War. Serving with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, he was deployed to Gallipoli in 1915 and later to the Middle East, where he took part in the Battle of Beersheba.

Despite being severely wounded while carrying ammunition under heavy fire, Albert showed exceptional courage and was awarded the Military Medal for his service. Like many Australians of German heritage at the time, his family changed their surname from Schmelzkopf to South.

Although Albert returned home after the war, his health never recovered. He died in 1923 at just 26 years of age, his passing recognised as a consequence of war service.

We remember Albert and all those whose lives were changed forever by war.
Lest we forget.

To discover Albert’s full story visit https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/232846

Photograph: Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Albert Carl South (previously Schmelzkopf) MM. 1918. Australian War Memorial, P09220.001

Meet Vien.

Vien recently performed at the newly created City of Burnside program Courtyard Sessions.

Created to inspire local up-and-coming youth artists, Courtyard Sessions provides a platform for performers to show their talents at the Burnside Civic Centre in a busking style set up, supported by Council’s Community Connections team.

Age: 13

Suburb: Eastwood

Favourite Artists: Laufey and Sabrina Carpenter

Member of: Australian Girls Choir and School Ensemble

What was your favourite part of the Courtyard Sessions?

'Having my family and friends coming to watch me – my sister came along and she brought her friends, some of them had never seen me perform before.'

'I have been singing all my life, since before I could even talk. I love performing and this was a great opportunity.'

'Everyone was really friendly and lots of people who walked past stopped to listen and wave.'

Courtyard Sessions will return this summer. Learn more about the program here.

Debney Drive in Burnside is named after George Debney, a prominent early settler and highly skilled cabinet maker. In the early 1850s, George’s parents Robert and Margaret Debney purchase a large property north of Secon Creek, which later became known as Undelcarra, where they built three houses.

Their main home was a substantial ten‑room, single‑storey house, parts of which have been incorporated into the grand two-storey residence on Undelcarra Drive. The property was sold in 1877.

George Debney was widely respected for his craftsmanship as a cabinet maker. His workshop won the prestigious contract to fit out South Australia’s Legislative Chamber. When a fire destroyed much of his work, he rebuilt and completed the project.

The Debney’s house is depicted in James Shaw’s 1865 painting ‘Undelcarra’, which is held in the City of Burnside’s Collection.

Image: Undelcarra by James Shaw, 1865. City of Burnside Corporate Art Collection.

Our members at the Shed have been working hard, building nesting boxes for the team at Wombats SA.

Built to house native parrots and other species, the 50-60 individual boxes will be installed in Moorunde Wildlife Reserve near Blanchetown in the coming months.

Moorunde Wildlife Reserve, a nearly 7,000-hectare mallee landscape between Blanchetown and Swan Reach, was established in 1968 after the Natural History Society purchased and restored previously cleared grazing land. Since then, ongoing conservation efforts have seen native vegetation recover and the southern hairy-nosed wombat population grow from around 150 to an estimated 2,000.

Due to the juvenile nature of many of the trees in the area, hollows have yet to form in their trunks and branches, meaning fewer nesting opportunities for the local fauna. It is hoped these new boxes will be able to compensate until the trees have matured further.

A no obligation community centre developed for those over 65 and living in the eastern regions, The Shed is a space for men and women to come and work on projects or just spend time with others who have similar life experience. An asset of the City of Burnside, The Shed programs are funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to provide subsidised low level support services and programs.

The Shed’s Men’s Program runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday while the Women’s Program is run Thursday mornings with mixed gender in the afternoon.

You can also keep up with everything from Wombats SA on their Facebook page.

Left to right: Shed Coordinator Evan, Pat (Shed worker), Richard (Shed participant) and Peter from Wombats SA

Coopers Avenue

Coopers Avenue is a relatively new street in Burnside, created during redevelopment of the former Coopers Brewery land in Leabrook, from which it takes its name. The site fronting Statenborough Avenue was home to the brewery between 1881 and 2001, when it moved to Regency Park.

The brewery was founded by shoemaker Thomas Cooper (1826-1897) who began brewing in 1862 using his wife’s family recipe. His early successes led him to the site in 1881 where he bought three blocks along the creek.

The business passed to four of his sons and continued as a successful family brewing business specialising in bottled and canned beers.

The business eventually outgrew the Leabrook site and a move to a new site at Regency Park was made in 2001. The former site was developed for retirement housing known as ‘On Statenborough’, which opened in 2010.

Photo: Cooper & Sons horses and delivery trolleys circa 1929. Burnside Local History Collection.

Beatty Street, Linden Park

Do you know how Beatty Street in Linden Park got its name? The street was established in the early 1920s when the South Australian Company subdivided this area and patriotically named several of the streets after British World War I Admirals (Beatty, Jellicoe, Hood, Keyes, Sturdee and Cradock), and after the naval battle of Jutland (the former name of Torrens Street).

Admiral of the Fleet David Richard Beatty, 1^st Earl Beatty (1871-1936) had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. During World War I, Beatty commanded the first Battle Cruiser Fleet at the Battle of Jutland. Later he was promoted to Commander in Chief of the British Grand Fleet and received the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet.

After the war, Beatty served as First Sea Lord from 1919 to 1927, the longest tenure of any officer in that position.

Photo: David Beatty, shortly after his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, 1917. Courtesy of Imperial War Museums, Q 19571.

On 19 March 1966, the then Mayor of the City of Burnside, George Bolton, laid the foundation stone for the Burnside Swimming Centre—now known as the George Bolton Swimming Centre. Set beneath the shady gums of Hazelwood Park, the pool has been a cherished community destination for local families for nearly 60 years. It officially opened in October 1966, with the inaugural lap swum by Olympian Dawn Fraser.

Photographs: Mayor George Bolton lays the foundation stone, March 1966. City of Burnside Local History Collection.