This month, South Australia’s City of Burnside is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The city is one of Adelaide’s oldest residential areas, and is well known for its tree lined streets, period architecture and plentiful reserves and gardens. Spread over 30 square kilometers, Burnside is located in Adelaide’s South East, just ten minutes from the CBD. The city comprises 28 suburbs and has a residential population of 41,000 people.
To celebrate the anniversary, Burnside will be holding a number of special events, with local residents invited to get involved.
Burnside Mayor, Councillor Wendy Greiner, said the celebrations will pay tribute to the people and events that have defined the community.
“Burnside has a proud and rich history,” she said. “It is a story of community and a story of families. Everyone in this city has helped to shape Burnside into the strong, vibrant community it is today. When we think of our strengths we cannot limit them to material assets. Burnside’s truly great strength is its social capital, the invaluable bridging behaviour that connects our community.”
A Special Council meeting will see the reading of the original proclamation, plus a look back at some of the issues that faced the first Council in 1856. A short audiovisual presentation will then be screened, looking at how the city has changed over the years. The public will also be invited to view the opening of a new history display where information panels will highlight early industries, famous landmarks and old images of the city, revealing some of Burnside’s secrets. The original Council Chambers will be open to the public and will be set up with historical information and displays. The Civic Centre will also host the opening of a Lions Club time capsule, which was sealed in August 1981.
Mayor Greiner said it will now be important for the city to maintain its diverse community.
“Just as our ancestors had a vision for this community, so we do today through our Vision 2020,” she said. “With community support behind our collective vision, we hope to preserve the city’s historic character, encourage business into the area, find ways to better use energy, provide quality education and health services and continue to dynamically represent the interests of our community. In doing so, we hope those future generations may enjoy the same quality of life as we do.”
