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Dining Cashback extended to seafood retailers
Dining Cashback extended to seafood retailers

03 November 2025, 2:12 AM

Seafood retail businesses across the state will now be eligible to participate in the Summer Plan’s Dining Cashback initiative, helping South Australians save up to $50 off their seafood purchases this summer. The ballot is now open for the first draw of 60,000 cashbacks, to be used at participating seafood retailers statewide, or coastal hospitality businesses. South Australians can enter the draw at any time via Summer Plan Dining Cashback, with the first draw to take place on Monday 10 November and subsequent draws held at the beginning of each month until March. Unsuccessful ballot entrants each month will be automatically entered into the next draw unless they choose to opt out. Winners will have one month to claim their 50% cashback, which, in addition to seafood retailers, can be redeemed at a range of participating coastal hospitality businesses including restaurants, pubs, cafes, sporting and surf life-saving clubs, kiosks, as well as take away shops. More than 265 hospitality businesses have already signed up to participate in the program announced as part of the federal and state governments’ Summer Plan. Many more businesses are expected to sign up with the business registration period open throughout the duration of the program. Ballot winners will be sent a unique code, instructions to claim their cashback and a list of participating businesses. They will then visit a participating business, keep their tax invoice, and upload it to a dedicated website, along with their cashback code, transaction and bank details. Cashback of 50% (up to $50) will be paid into the winner’s nominated bank account within five business days from approval of the claim. For business eligibility criteria and registration, visit the Tourism SA website. Tony Andonas, of Samtass Seafoods, feels this is a very timely and great initiative. “We have some of the best seafood in the world available to us from our South Australian waters and to be included in the cash back program may just be what is needed to entice the public back into our seafood retail shops to once again eat our safe and fantastic South Australian seafood.”

Be ‘Bushfire Ready’ ahead of Fire Danger Season
Be ‘Bushfire Ready’ ahead of Fire Danger Season

02 November 2025, 7:32 PM

Fire Danger Season took effect in nine SA districts from 1 November and both CFS and RAA are reminding homeowners to take simple steps to reduce their bushfire risk. Fire Danger Season dates for the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island districts have not yet been announced, but CFS says it is a good time to be bushfire ready. It has launched its annual Be Bushfire Ready Campaign, which reminds the community that awareness and preparation – including creating a bushfire survival plan – are key to keeping home and family safe.Recent research shows people who are aware of the bushfire risk in their area are more likely to be prepared for a bushfire and recognise the risk to their property.CFS Executive Director Statewide Operations Brenton Hastie encourages anyone living, working, or travelling through a bushfire risk area to know the Fire Ban District they’re in and to regularly check the Fire Danger Rating.‘Preparing for the FDS is a shared responsibility and we’re asking the South Australian community to do their bit,’ Mr Hastie says.‘Ensure you’ve created or reviewed your bushfire survival plan, prepared your property, and know what you and your family will do during a bushfire.’‘It is critical that all South Australians are taking the threat of bushfire seriously and preparing accordingly by knowing what they will do, where they will go, and what they will take when a bad fire day approaches.’‘South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) Chief Officer Jeff Swann has urged South Australians in regional centres and metropolitan outskirts not to underestimate the threat of bushfires.‘Each Fire Danger Season, MFS crews battle grassfires and bushfires on Adelaide’s outskirts and in country towns, and every year, lives and homes are at risk. Make sure you’re prepared and know what to do if a bushfire starts,’ he says.‘A common misconception is that bushfires only affect rural areas. In reality, fires can, and do, have devastating impacts on metropolitan communities and regional townships. No one is immune, everyone needs a plan.”For more information on preparing a property to be bushfire ready, visit the CFS website.  RAA insurance claim data shows the average value of a bushfire insurance claim is more than $45,000 – highlighting the potential for significant damage should a bushfire enter a property. It is reminding all SA homeowners to get on top of maintenance jobs that reduce bushfire risk as the weather warms up.These include cleaning gutters, trimming long grasses and removing any unnecessary flammable items like wood, mulch piles and leaves from near the home. RAA insurance Head of Claims Jess Lyons has urged SA homeowners to heed CFS advice about property preparation. “Bushfires can do significant damage to your property, but simple maintenance jobs can help to safeguard your home and reduce your risk,” she says. “If you’re not sure what your property requires, the CFS website has a wealth of knowledge and advice, so we’d encourage all homeowners to jump on there and review what might be relevant to them.  “This is even more important if you live near bush or scrubland or in other areas of high to extreme bushfire danger.” 

Victor Harbor Girl Guides: 101 years strong
Victor Harbor Girl Guides: 101 years strong

02 November 2025, 2:00 AM

Words: Susie WilliamsThanks to Coast Lines magazineVictor Harbor Girl Guides passed a remarkable milestone last year—100 years—and at 101 the spirit of adventure, service and friendship remains as vibrant as ever. Founded in 1912, Girl Guides South Australia has grown into the state’s largest youth organisation for girls and young women, with around 2,000 youth members supported by some 500 volunteer leaders and adult members. The Australian Guide Program underpins that experience, building confidence and leadership through four elements—Self, People, Practical and Physical—keeping activities girl-led, values-based and often outdoors. At the heart of the Victor Harbor story is longtime leader Golda Munro, who began as a Brownie at age seven and has now dedicated almost 50 years as a Guide leader. “I saw the girls having fun and just kept going,” she smiles. Guides, she explains, was shaped by the Baden-Powell tradition and the patrol system—small peer groups where girls learn by doing and make decisions together. What once felt more regimented has evolved into a girl-led program, with Guides choosing activities and shaping their own adventures. “We put all the ideas up, work it through in patrols and build the program from what the girls want to do,” she says. Guides has been a lifelong constant for Golda—and a source of deep connection. “I don’t have children of my own, so it’s great having the connection with young kids and seeing them develop. These are like my children—I get to watch them grow.” Many of her former Guides have become leaders themselves, a living thread of mentorship that keeps the movement strong. The unit’s centenary celebration in May 2024 was a proud community moment: an open day at the 1928 hall with displays, games and a roll-call of supporters, including local federal MP Rebekha Sharkie, Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins and the Girl Guides SA State Commissioner Dawn Borchardt. “It was wonderful—and we were lucky with the weather,” Golda laughs. The anniversary year also included a state camp at McLaren Flat, bringing Guides of all ages together; Golda recalls about 150 campers, with her sub-unit alone counting three dozen under-tens. These days the Victor Harbor Guides meet on Thursday evenings during school terms, with a combined unit spanning ages 7 to 15—a practical way to keep the program running while leader numbers rebuild. The calendar is hands-on and outdoorsy: camping, scavenger hunts, bird-watching, outdoor and indoor cooking, craft and annual traditions such as the International Day of Guiding (22 February) and Clean Up Australia activities. Guest nights bring real-world voices into the hall—from Country Fire Service volunteers to community veterans around ANZAC commemorations—“because it’s so much more powerful to hear it from someone than from a history book,” Golda says. Service remains a cornerstone for the Girls Guides. Each Christmas the unit runs a giving drive, with girls baking biscuits and collecting food and gifts for people doing it tough. “It’s something we do annually,” says Golda. “It’s practical, local and led by the girls.” Like many volunteer organisations, the Guides are rebuilding after some girls moved on last year and the unit has only two leaders at present. The beloved 1928 hall also needs ongoing care. Golda’s ask is simple: more helping hands—as leaders, on a parent or community support group, or with grants and maintenance. “They don’t need to be parents—if people are prepared to support Girl Guides, just come and join in. Help us plan how to support the girls.” Beyond campfires and badges, Guiding builds confidence, leadership and teamwork. The patrol system means girls learn to rely on each other, make decisions and ‘give and take a bit’—the kind of everyday resilience that lasts well beyond Thursday nights. “It’s about having fun—and feeling supported,” Golda says. “If girls want to have fun, learn things and develop in a supportive environment where they can explore the outdoors and try new things as young women—they should come along.” The Victor Harbor Girl Guides are proud to be 101 and counting—a testament to the leaders and families who’ve kept the flame burning, and to champions like Golda Munro who’ve given half a century to helping local girls grow. To enquire about joining, volunteering or supporting, contact Girl Guides SA and ask for the Victor Harbor unit. “It’s amazing that it’s been going for 101 years… a tribute to the leaders who’ve gone before me,” Golda says. https://www.girlguidessa.org.au/contact-girl-guides-sa/Girl Guides SA (08) 8418 0900

2025 MGA Insurance Group McLaren Vale wine show results
2025 MGA Insurance Group McLaren Vale wine show results

31 October 2025, 6:42 AM

The Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache has been named McLaren Vale’s Best Wine of Show for 2025, crowning Proprietor & Winemaker Giles Cooke MW and Director Patrick Gilhooly the 2025 McLaren Vale Bushing Monarchs.The trophies from the 2025 MGA Insurance Group McLaren Vale Wine Show, including Best Wine of Show and the prestigious ‘Bushing Monarch’ title, were awarded at the 52nd annual McLaren Vale Bushing Lunch on Friday 31st October.From 707 entries, the Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache was awarded the highest accolade by an impressive panel of sixteen judges, including Chair of Judges Toby Barlow (Treasury Wine Estates), International Judge Peter Richards MW (Wine Blast Podcast), and panel chairs Jack Glover (Hill-Smith Family Estates), Steven Paul (Oakdene Vineyards), and Stuart Hordern (Brokenwood Wines).Reflecting on the Best Wine of Show, Chair of Judges Toby Barlow praised vineyard selection and reflection of place, “The most pleasing element of the Best Wine of Show taste-off was the quality and personality across all the trophy winning wines. Respectful mentions go to the Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Grenache dominant blend which polled well and evoked some good discussion. However, it was clear from the vote that the Grenache had captured the judges’ attention and was a clear winner. The Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Blewitt Springs Grenache has captured that elusive balance of bright aromatic, even long flavours and a tannin framework that really spoke to site and region. The Best Wine of Show in the 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show is a compelling example of Grenache grown in a region that is gaining global recognition for this variety." For Mr Barlow, the results of this year’s McLaren Vale Wine Show demonstrate that “There’s a palpable sense of evolution and progression in both growing and winemaking for traditional and emerging varieties and styles.” He continued: “Grenache continues to shine with clarity and confidence that is evident in the wines and styles. The region’s Mediterranean varieties are evolving and showcasing viticultural improvements and winemaking evolution with producers leaning into site expression and freshness. The traditional and emerging reds deserve the attention they receive; however, I continue to be excited by fabulous examples of Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Rosé, and Vermentino that are being carefully grown and crafted into delicious wines with balanced acidity, alcohol and phenolic textures that have great relevance to consumers. This year’s McLaren Vale Wine Show results are a great reminder of just how dynamic and diverse the region has become; exciting times.”For McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association CEO Erin Leggat, the Best Wine of Show “stands as a benchmark for modern Australian Grenache, and firmly cements McLaren Vale’s reputation as a leading global wine region for distinctive, elegant wines that speak strongly of place. The Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Blewitt Springs Grenache exemplifies our region’s unique capacity to balance grace and intensity in equal measure, underpinned by highly-skilled, thoughtful winemaking, precision viticulture and meticulous vineyard stewardship.” UK writer, broadcaster and Master of Wine Peter Richards MW – co-host of the Wine Blast podcast – joined the 2025 McLaren Vale Wine Show as this year’s International Judge, offering a global perspective. Reflecting on his experience, Peter shared: “First: a confession. I came to judge the McLaren Vale Wine Show because I wanted to see if this Grenache-based renaissance was real. My conclusion? Hell yeah, in spades. These new-wave Grenaches (and Grenache-based blends) were the clear standouts from the show. The best of them married beguiling, heady scents with refreshing acidity, eye-opening energy, serious complexity and grippy, insistent tannins. A new-wave fine wine category fit to join the world’s greats?! Better believe it. The Shiraz and Cabernet classes were more mixed, as you might expect, with both traditional and modern styles. The best married complexity with elegance and perfume (with those taking a leaf out of Grenache’s book – ie majoring on refinement and perfume – clearly the best). But it didn’t end there – the ‘alternative’ reds were an intriguing bunch, with Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mencía and Nero d’Avola showing promise. Grenache Blanc was the standout white alongside Fiano: both these varieties will have a bright future in the Vale.”2025 MGA INSURANCE GROUP McLAREN VALE WINE SHOW RESULTSBEST WINE OF SHOW & BUSHING MONARCHThistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs GrenacheCHAIRPERSON’S TROPHYMitolo 2024 Trovato FianoINTERNATIONAL JUDGE’S TROPHYMinistry of Clouds 2024 GrenacheWINES OF PROVENANCE TROPHYReynella 2022, 2017, 2012 Basket Pressed Cabernet SauvignonBEST MUSEUM WINEHardys 2012 Eileen Hardy ShirazBEST SHIRAZDune 2024 ShirazBEST GRENACHEThistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs GrenacheBEST CABERNET SAUVIGNONRichard Hamilton 2021 Hut Block Cabernet SauvignonBEST SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZChalk Hill Wines 2023 Alpha Crucis Seaview SyrahBEST SINGLE VINEYARD WINE ANY STYLE (OTHER THAN SHIRAZ)Thistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs GrenacheBEST SINGLE VINEYARD VITICULTURALISTSue Trott, Trott VineyardBEST SMALL PRODUCER OF SHOWParalian WinesMOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITORVinarchyBEST TWO YEAR OR OLDER GRENACHES.C. Pannell 2023 Old McDonald GrenacheBEST TWO YEAR OLD SHIRAZSerafino 2023 Black Label ShirazBEST TWO YEAR OR YOUNGER CABERNET SAUVIGNONCoriole 2023 Mary Kathleen Cabernet SauvignonBEST OTHER RED & BLENDSBattle of Bosworth Wines 2024 ‘Heretic’ Touriga Nacional Graciano Mataro ShirazBEST SHIRAZ BLENDShottesbrooke Vineyards 2024 Engine Room by Hamish Maguire Shiraz Mataro GrenacheBEST GRENACHE BLENDParalian 2024 Blewitt Springs Grenache ShirazBEST TEMPRANILLO & BLENDSGemtree Wines 2024 Luna Temprana TempranilloBEST NERO D’AVOLAHugo Wines 2024 Nero D'AvolaBEST ROSÉMazi 2025 Limited Release Grenache Mourvèdre RoséBEST FIANOHugo Wines 2025 FianoBEST TRADITIONAL WHITE WINEMMAD Vineyard 2024 Chenin BlancBEST NEW AND EMERGING WHITE WINEHarrison 2025 Tan Fresca Grenache BlancBEST THREE YEAR OR OLDER SHIRAZWirra Wirra 2022 RSW ShirazBEST THREE YEAR OR OLDER CABERNET SAUVIGNONRichard Hamilton 2021 Hut Block Cabernet SauvignonBEST ONE YEAR OR YOUNGER SHIRAZDune 2024 ShirazBEST ONE YEAR OLD GRENACHEThistledown 2024 Sands of Time Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache-------------------------------TROTT FAMILY AWARDJim Ellis, Ellis ButchersD’ARRY OSBORN AWARDWillunga 100-------------------------------The full results and medal list for the 2025 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show can be viewed HERE.

Free access to KI boat ramps
Free access to KI boat ramps

31 October 2025, 1:42 AM

Kangaroo Island Council will introduce free access at council-managed boat launching facilities from tomorrow to support fishing recovery efforts following the algal bloom.From 1 November 2025 to 30 November 2026, boat launching fees will be waived at the following council-maintained sites:American RiverBaudin BeachBay of ShoalsChristmas CoveEmu BayFees will be reinstated from 1 December 2026.This is a temporary, state-funded initiative under the South Australian Government’s Algal Bloom Fish Recovery Program. It aims to support recreational and commercial fishers following widespread impacts to marine ecosystems and fish stocks.There will be no cost impact to Kangaroo Island ratepayers as the $65,000 contribution through the program reasonably offsets the temporary loss of revenue during the free-access period, according to Mayor Michael Pengilly.“Our community loves getting out on the water with family and friends,” he says. “Even with reduced bag limits in place, fishing remains an important and much-loved Island pastime. Removing the cost to launch a boat helps make sure it stays enjoyable and accessible for everyone.”He says with temporary bag limit reductions starting 1 November to support stock recovery, free boat launching keeps fishing accessible and worthwhile during the recovery period.“We know how important boating and fishing are to people here. This support gives those activities a welcome boost while fish stocks recover, and we are pleased to partner with the State Government on this practical measure.”The council has updated signage and online information.Full details of the program and related support measures can be found on the algal bloom website. 

Police hunt grey Triton in murder probe
Police hunt grey Triton in murder probe

28 October 2025, 10:26 PM

Police are seeking public assistance to locate a vehicle of interest in the investigation into the murder of Chris Robertson.The vehicle, a grey Mitsubishi Triton utility XTF976, was seen at the Lonsdale premises on Sunday 28 September – the day after Chris was last seen alive while celebrating with friends.Major Crime detectives have spoken to the registered owner of the vehicle, who is not believed to be involved in the murder, and they are assisting with the investigation.Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the vehicle has not been seen since Chris was located on Tuesday 30 September.“We are seeking information from anyone who knows who may have been using the vehicle at the time of Chris’ death and the current location of this vehicle,’’ he says.“We believe it is likely the vehicle was used to transport Chris to 55 O’Sullivan’s Beach Road at Lonsdale on the morning of Sunday 28 September.“Locating the vehicle is crucial to the investigation as it could provide valuable forensic evidence that will assist the investigation.’’A post-mortem examination has revealed Chris Robertson died as a result of injuries received after being severely assaulted.Det. Supt. Fielke says the murder investigation was following several significant lines of inquiry.“As a result of investigations since Chris was found and information received via Crime Stoppers we have spoken to a number of witnesses and this has helped us piece together his movements between 27 September and 30 September,’’ he says.’’We are confident there will be a resolution in this investigation, and I would urge anyone in a position to assist us to do so.’’Police urge anyone with any information on the vehicle or any information about Mr Robertson’s murder to contact Crime Stoppers immediately on 1800 333 000 or report online. 252513

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