THIS time last year we were bragging about our numerous cool days and nights - and even some welcome rain! Notwithstanding the several heatwaves, warm nights and no moisture we are currently experiencing in Adelaide, our hearts and minds go out to those people in the Eastern States who have experienced severe bushfires and unbelievable flooding. We are indeed in the “lucky State!”
BAG is always on the lookout for more volunteers so, if you catch sight of some people wearing visi-vests in the Coromandel or Blackwood Station gardens or around our shopping precincts, and you appreciate their work, feel FREE to introduce yourself. We would love to meet you, and you too can be “part of the party”. BAG does not have an annual Membership fee, so just rock up.
With our best wishes for a rewarding year ahead
Geoff Bartlett
BAG Secretary and Newsletter Editor
BAG 2025 SURVEY
Starting 2025, we are keen to hear your thoughts on BAG! While we do not have any public meetings scheduled currently, we would appreciate your time in filling out a quick 5 minute survey to help us plan for the year.
GET INVOLVED WITH BAG
Upcoming activities to get involved with, make a difference and find new friends! We would love to see you at any of the following events.
CORO STATION WORKING BEE - 22 February @ 9 to 11AM
We will be concentrating on the deadheading of all the aggies. All hand and garden tools provided. Light morning tea to finish!
Note: This event has been moved forward one week.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY - 2 March @ 8:45 AM
This will be the 16th consecutive year BAG has contributed to this national date. We will be sending three different teams to cover the main areas of Blackwood:
Main Road to Gulfview Road
Coromandel Parade to Hewett Sports Ground
Shepherds Hill Road to Karinya Reserve
This activity starts from the Blackwood Railway Stationmaster's Rear Shed (in the carpark at the bottom of Station Road). Volunteers are required to register prior to participating and you can do this on the morning. BAG’s traditional FREE BBQ “brunch” with salads and sweets (tea, coffee and soft drinks). This will be held in Stationmaster’s rear yard, commencing at 10.45 am approx.
BLACKWOOD STATION WORKING BEE - 6 April @ 9 to 11AM
As the Aggies have all been dead-headed it will be a fairly easy day’s work - pruning bushes and relocating a few which are impacting on the irrigation sprays. Tools provided, just come along!
2025 CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL - 6 & 7 December 2025
Blackwood’s highly successful bi-annual Christmas Tree Festival (CTF), arranged by BAG, is on again this year.
New Volunteers are always welcome, so if you feel you would like to be part of the “Planning Team” please contact our CTF Coordinator, Brian Ferris
Mob: 0423 125 269 or 8278 6227; Email: blferris@adam.com.au
FUTURE DIARY DATES
“Taste of Other Cultures” - Saturday 22 February
A Sit-down Dinner by the Blackwood Circle of Friends for Refugees at Blackwood Uniting Church 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. For tickets and more info: https://www.trybooking.com/CXPWU
SA History Month Activities - May
Following the very successful History Events held last year BAG’s History Sub-Committee have been busy planning more Local History Events for 2025. Watch for more details, Booking arrangements etc. in April.
Blackwood's Got Talent - September
After fantastic success last year, Blackwood's Got Talent will be returning for two concerts again this year!
Saturday 13, Sept 7.00pm –10.00pm
Sunday 14 Sept, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Hawthorndene Centenary Celebrations - 6 October
With Hawthorndene celebrating its Centenary this year, the history group has been preparing displays and a walk brochure to help people appreciate Hawthorndene’s stories and legacies, as well as providing support for the organisation of a program of activities throughout the year and an old-fashioned picnic on 6 Oct. at Hawthorndene Oval.
MITCHAM’S ACTIVE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
OUR CONGRATULATIONS go to BAG’s PAULINE DODD for being chosen as a JOINT WINNER in Mitcham Council’s Dual Active Citizen of the Year Award 2025 along with KEVIN BROOK from the Blackwood Lions Club.
Pauline, who was one of the original Members of the Blackwood Action Group in 2009, has coordinated a host of BAG activities ever since, including the Blackwood Christmas Tree Festival; History Month Events each May; well-documented photographic Heritage Display Boards installed at Blackwood, Belair and Eden Hills Stations; BGT (Blackwood’s Got Talent) Shows in Tiwu Kumangka; Fashion Shows sponsored by local Businesses; as well as actively contributing to BAG’s Stobie Pole murals project and the Drakes photographic wall mural and many of our community events in her catering capacity.
Considerable money has been raised through these activities for local Charities, the CFS Legacy, etc. Thank you, Pauline.
BAG’s AGM Recap
BAG’s AGM for 2024 was held on Wednesday 27th November following a very informative reflection on the first 12 months operation of our new Library and Community Centre, TIWU KUMANGKA, by Sean McNamara (Manager Council’s Community Connections).
The undermentioned local Residents were elected, unopposed:
BAG General Committee for 2025
PRESIDENT: Brian FERRIS
VICE PRESIDENT: Bernie MORGAN
SECRETARY: Geoff BARTLETT
TREASURER: Bernie MORGAN
Committee Members:
Lis BARTLETT
Leith BELL
Peter DAVIES
Pauline DODD
Kay LEVERETT
Tom MORRISON
Ex-Officio Member:
Adrian BEECH (Christmas Red Bows Coordinator)
MAIN ROAD PLANTER BOXES
One of the first “Greening” projects undertaken by BAG was the installation of 15 planter boxes along the Main Road footpath in June 2012. Since that time each box has been watered by hand weekly – by a couple of BAG volunteers (using watering cans). Unfortunately there is no automatic watering system along either of the two footpaths,.
Recently BAG was approached by Mitcham Council who suggested that the 4 healthy FICUS plants growing in the larger boxes on the “islands” (next to the pedestrian traffic lights), would need to be moved, as they were causing “sight problems”.
After a few conversations the matter has now been resolved. The Ficus trees will be cut back and hopefully the replacement shrubs being considered will eventually add some colour to that section of Blackwood’s streetscape.
We think you will agree that all these planter boxes along Main Road and Shepherds Hill Road, have given Blackwood a more “Stirling-like” appearance!
A NEW LOCAL NEWSPAPER
Missing our local paper Blackwood Times, collaboration with Catherine Hutchesson’s Office has seen the production of a community newspaper called “ What’s Happening in Waite “. It has been distributed for collection throughout the community in many of the places Blackwood Times could be found. Pick up your copy soon to find out what is going on, how you can get involved and help us stay connected.
BLACKWOOD SAYS “FAREWELL” TO TRAVIS
On Christmas Eve we sadly had to say “farewell” to TRAVIS FRASER – the Store Manager of Drakes Supermarket. Travis has held the Position for 14 years (almost as long as BAG has been around). During that time BAG developed a great relationship with Trav. He was always willing to assist the Community in so many areas.
On his farewell day BAG presented Travis with a Certificate of Appreciation acknowledging his support to our Group and the local Community generally, through Drakes’ “Community Dollars fund-raising program”. Travis agreed for BAG to erect the B & W historical photos mural on the Drakes wall in the eastern car park in 2014.
The Blackwood Action Group would like to wish Travis all the very best in his new Position at Drakes’ revamped Supermarket in the Aldinga Central Shopping Centre.
CHRISTMAS RED BOWS
BAG’s traditional RED BOWS project underwent quite a change last year inasmuch as we decided to change from using red plastic to a red tuille netting material. The decision was an overwhelming success in all aspects of the project.
The feedback we received from the Community was most encouraging too. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the 3 Sales outlets (Fairley’s Shoex, Habitat Gifts and Catherine Hutchesson, MP’s Office) who once again willingly supported the concept. They all sold out of stocks by the first week in December, and despite the price rise to $10 the Sales Outlets received no complaints, but some very positive comments about the new netting.
Our thanks must also go to our Red Bows Managers, Joan and Adrian Beech, who organised the whole project from “Go to Whoa” and have plans for the 2025 effort well and truly organised already.
We hope that you will continue to support BAG in this fund-raising project which adds that extra bit of colour and Christmas Spirit to the ”Blackwood Village”
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