Federal independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie will be the guest speaker at another forum on ageing well on the Fleurieu in Victor Harbor on Wednesday 19 November.Other speakers will include Doreen Salon from the Office of Ageing Well, Kristina Walsh for the Compassionate Communities Collaborative and two independent candidates for the state seat of Finniss, Lou Nicholson and Bronwyn Lewis.There will also be speakers on diet and nutrition, exercise physiology and mental health. Hosted by the South Coast Progressive Women’s Group, this free community forum will be held at the Christian Gospel Centre on George Main Road and will run from 2pm to 5pm.Afternoon tea will be provided. To attend RSVP via email.

After a year’s hiatus, the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic will officially return in 2026 and will celebrate 20 years of showcasing motoring heritage, fine wine, and community spirit, with entries now open.The popular car parade event will roll through the heart of McLaren Vale on Sunday 12 April, bringing together hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles on the Main Street, along with local wineries, live entertainment, and family fun.A brand-new, Vintage & Classic charity party will be held at Chalk Hill on the night before the parade on Saturday 11 April, replacing the traditional charity dinner.Open to the public to enjoy, the charity party will feature live entertainment and a stunning display of cars across the Chalk Hill lawns, creating the perfect atmosphere to kick off the weekend celebrations. A $10 entry fee will apply, with proceeds supporting several local charities, while food and drinks will be available to purchase on the night.Event chairman Nigel Williamson says the milestone year marks the start of a new era for one of South Australia’s most iconic regional events.“We are thrilled to be bringing back the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic, ensuring that we are safeguarding this amazing event for generations to come,” he says.“Our mission is simple – we are passionate volunteers driven to elevate our community by hosting a free event for all ages where the region as a whole benefits.“McLaren Vale is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Events like this, supported by our amazing volunteers and community groups, help bring people from across the state and country to experience and celebrate everything our region has to offer.”He says since its inception in 2006 the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic has drawn thousands of visitors to the region each year, marking it as one of the region’s signature events on the calendar, bringing in people from around South Australia and interstate, especially Victoria, to the heart of McLaren Vale.More than just a car parade, the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic is a strong community festival, highlighting the wonders of the region, where both entrants and guests gather after the parade and enjoy the afternoon.A range of local wineries will once again participate in the event, including:● Lloyd Brothers● Kay Brothers● Hastwell & Lightfoot● Chalk Hill● Leconfield● Shirvington● Serafino● Ekhidna kitchen● Goodison Brewery● PaxtonVehicle owners are encouraged to secure their spot early to be part of this milestone event, and can register to be part of the parade via the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic website.

SA Water will hold two drop-in information sessions, in Myponga and Yankalilla, for the community to learn more about its Reservoirs for Nature project.They will be at Myponga Town Hall on Tuesday 18 November and at Yankalilla Library on Thursday 20 November, both sessions from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.The project will start at Myponga Reservoir next year and the SA Water Environment and Energy team will be available to share information and answer questions.Each session will also include short 15-minute presentations at 4pm and 5.30pm.Everyone is welcome to attend with no booking required.

As the weekend approaches, drivers are reminded to stay alert and travel safely this Friday, November 14, with mobile speed cameras operating across South Australia.Police will be monitoring a range of roads across both regional and metropolitan areas as part of a statewide road safety campaign aimed at reducing speeding and preventing crashes. With many people heading off early for weekend getaways or finishing the workweek, it's crucial to stay within speed limits and drive with care.The full list of mobile speed camera locations for Friday has been released below. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe for everyone.BAINS RD, WOODCROFTCHANDLERS HILL RD, O'HALLORAN HILLCLAIRVILLE RD, CAMPBELLTOWNDARLEY RD, PARADISEDUNROBIN RD, WARRADALEELIZABETH RD, CHRISTIE DOWNSFITZROY TCE, NORTH ADELAIDEFOLKESTONE RD, DOVER GARDENSGORGE RD, ATHELSTONEGRANT RD, REYNELLAGRAVES ST, NEWTONHECTORVILLE RD, HECTORVILLEKOONGA AVE, ROSTREVORLEFEVRE TCE, NORTH ADELAIDEMAGILL RD, MAGILLMAIN SOUTH RD, OLD NOARLUNGAMAIN SOUTH RD, REYNELLAMAIN SOUTH RD, HUNTFIELD HEIGHTSMAIN SOUTH RD, O'HALLORAN HILLMARYVALE RD, ATHELSTONEMORTON RD, CHRISTIE DOWNSOSMOND TCE, NORWOODPIMPALA RD, WOODCROFTWALKERVILLE TCE, GILBERTONWAR MEMORIAL DR, NORTH ADELAIDEThe Country Camera locations: Monday, 10 November 2025 to Sunday, 23 November 2025ADELAIDE RD, MCCRACKENAGERY RD, AGERYARDROSSAN RD, MAITLANDARMSTRONG RD, VICTOR HARBORASHBOURNE RD, STRATHALBYNAUGUSTA HWY, LOCHIELBALAKLAVA RD, BALAKLAVABATTUNGA RD, MEADOWSBAY RD, MOONTABEACH RD, COOBOWIEBEACH RD, GOOLWA BEACHBLANCHE TCE, MOONTACHARLES TCE, WALLAROOCOAST RD, MOONTA BAYCOPPER COAST HWY, PASKEVILLECOPPER COAST HWY, KADINACOPPER COAST HWY, KULPARACROZIER RD, VICTOR HARBORFENCHURCH ST, GOOLWAFLAGSTAFF HILL RD, MIDDLETONGOOLWA RD, MIDDLETONGWY TCE, BALAKLAVAHUGHES ST, WALLAROOKADINA RD, WALLAROOLONG VALLEY RD, STRATHALBYNMAIN SOUTH RD, DELAMEREMAIN SOUTH RD, MYPONGAMAIN SOUTH RD, YANKALILLAMAIN SOUTH RD, WATTLE FLATMAIN SOUTH RD, NORMANVILLEMAIN SOUTH RD, SECOND VALLEYMAIN ST, MINLATONMAITLAND RD, MINLATONMAWSON RD, MEADOWSMINLATON RD, MINLATONNORTH TCE, PORT ELLIOTPORT ELLIOT RD, PORT ELLIOTPORT ELLIOT RD, GOOLWA BEACHRUSSELL ST, KADINASEAVIEW RD, VICTOR HARBORSOUTH TCE, STRATHALBYNSPENCER HWY, ALFORDSPENCER HWY, PORT BROUGHTONST VINCENT HWY, PINE POINTTOTTENHAM COURT RD, PORT ELLIOTTRAEGER RD, BALAKLAVAVICTORIA ST, VICTOR HARBORWAITPINGA RD, WAITPINGAYORKE HWY, CURRAMULKAYORKE HWY, ARDROSSAN

Southern District Police are investigating the theft of a radar used to find underground assets before you dig.Between 9.05 and 9.15 am on Thursday September 11th, the Lecia DS2000 Detection Radar pictured below, was stolen from Navigation Street, Seaford Meadows.Anyone who has knowledge of the location of the equipment or details of the theft is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 235007.

Visitors to Onkaparinga’s most popular playgrounds, parks and community centres will get handy visual reminders to be SunSmart thanks to a South Australian-first partnership between the council and Cancer Council SA.The council says subtle yet engaging pavement stickers have been installed in prominent locations at 12 parks and playgrounds, and eight community centres in the City of Onkaparinga through the inaugural SunSmart Parks project.The decals feature Cancer Council’s iconic Sid the seagull and his Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide message to help protect people from skin cancer, plus links and QR codes to receive UV alerts and live UV levels tailored to specific locations.When UV levels reach three and above, it’s recommended to protect skin with these five simple and effective ways for maximum protection, reducing the risk of developing skin cancer – an almost entirely preventable disease that kills more than 2,000 Australians each year:Slip on sun-protective clothing.Slop on SPF 50 or 50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears, and neck.Seek shade whenever possible.Slide on wrap-around sunglasses.City of Onkaparinga CEO Phu Nguyen and Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands celebrated the launch of the SunSmart Parks Project at Niipu-niipu Wama/Morton Park on 7 November.Mr Nguyen says the SunSmart Parks Project will ensure thousands of residents and visitors receive vital, life-saving reminders when they need them most.“Our community loves its parks, playgrounds and community centres, and the new visual cues will remind people to protect themselves while enjoying these vibrant and inclusive places.“We have 11 community centres and manage about 250 playgrounds with a policy guiding our shade provision. The new pavement stickers complement any shade onsite, providing expert, timely advice that supports healthy, thriving people.”Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands says with 2-in-3 Australians diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, Cancer Council SA is delighted to partner with the City of Onkaparinga to help spread the SunSmart message to the local community.“Not only is sun protection vital to reducing your own risk of skin cancer, but role modelling SunSmart behaviours for our children sets them up to take those practices into adulthood, reducing their risk too.“As we head into summer, with families starting to spend more time outdoors, these stickers are an important reminder to the community to check the UV and when it’s 3 and above, protect your skin using a combination of the 5 sun protection measures – slip on sun protective clothing, slop on SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen, slap on a broadbrimmed or bucket hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.“We applaud the City of Onkaparinga for spearheading this first-of-its-kind project to empower their community to reduce their skin cancer risk and hope this inspires similar initiatives across the state.” Visit the Cancer Council website for more information.

McLaren Flat’s Maxwell Wines has been named a global winner in the prestigious 2026 Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards in France, for its outstanding food and wine offerings. Presented at the Great Wine Capitals (GWC) Gala Dinner in Bordeaux, the awards celebrate innovation and excellence in wine tourism across the world’s most renowned wine regions.The judges praised Maxwell Wines for raising the bar for culinary experiences in South Australia, commending it for making three-hatted dining accessible in a cellar door setting through the introduction of a snack menu to enhance the wine tasting experience. “Bite sized snacks curated by award winning restaurant chefs, are exquisitely presented as if in a fine dining restaurant enticing visitors back for more.” South Australia’s six Best Of Wine Tourism Award winners were recognised on the global stage and will be in the running for a People’s Choice Award, open for public voting around the world in late November. The awards were part of the GWC Annual General Meeting and Conference. This year’s conference opened with two significant announcements. Jo Collins, Executive Director of Industry, Strategy and Partnerships at the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), was unanimously elected President of the global network for the next two years. South Australian wine producers were also celebrated at an international showcase event including Chalk Hill, Pewsey Vale, Seppeltsfield, Shaw + Smith, Sidewood Estate, and Yangarra Estate Vineyard.In addition, as part of the state government’s partnership with Bordeaux’s iconic La Cité du Vin world wine museum, which attracts around 400,000 visitors annually, South Australian wineries are featured for visitors to sample including Penfolds, Bremerton Wines, Claymore Wines, Freestone Estate, Knappstein Wines, Laughing Jack Wines, Saint-Clar Estate, Sidewood Estate, St Mary’s Vineyard Penola and Wirra Wirra.Mawson MP Leon Bignell says it is fantastic to see Maxwell Wines being honoured on the global stage. “Mark Maxwell was born and raised in the oldest cottage in McLaren Vale and his family business has been a stalwart of fine wine and food for decades. I'm so happy for the Maxwell family and their team who exude excellence in everything they do. Jeremy Maxwell is the current General Manager of Maxwell Wines. “We’re incredibly proud to be recognised on a global level for our culinary experiences - it’s a reflection of the passion and dedication that drives our team. “This award celebrates our commitment to excellence, and our snack menu has been a key part of that vision. It gives guests another way to experience the estate and connect with what makes McLaren Vale so special. “To be acknowledged among the best in the world reinforces our belief in the enduring appeal of South Australian wine tourism.”The GWC Global Network world-leading wine regions that share a key economic and cultural asset: their internationally renowned wine tourism industry. Member regions include Adelaide (South Australia), Bordeaux (France), Bilbao-Rioja (Spain), Hawke’s Bay (New Zealand), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mainz-Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal), San Francisco–Napa Valley (USA), Valparaíso–Casablanca Valley (Chile) and Verona (Italy). Membership of the network is a partnership between the Government of South Australia, the South Australian Wine Industry Association, and the University of Adelaide.     

This afternoon, CFS crews were called to a tractor fire in a vineyard at Langhorne Creek on the Fleurieu Peninsula.Approximately 20 CFS firefighters arrived to find the fire had spread from the tractor and spray unit into surrounding vineyard.Thanks to their skilled response, crews in breathing apparatus were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further into the vineyard.Unfortunately the tractor and spray unit were completely destroyed with damages estimated at $250,000.Crews were supported by SA Police. Firefighters will remain on scene to finalise mopping up and monitoring for smouldering areas.

Veteran volunteers have spent more than 13,000 hours helping to keep beaches clean across South Australia, as part of the state’s algal bloom response.More than 240 Disaster Relief Australia volunteers from around the country have supported the beach clean-up operations on rotation since the start of September.Established in 2016, Disaster Relief Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that unites the skills and experience of veterans and other dedicated volunteers to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters.The organisation’s two-month operation in South Australia ended last week to allow volunteers to prepare for Australia’s upcoming higher-risk weather season, including bushfires, floods and cyclones.During their SA deployment, the volunteers collected about 9,000kg of dead marine life from metropolitan beaches between North Haven and Seacliff.The bulk of the material has been recycled into commercial compost.The Algal Bloom Co-ordination Unit is managing the $6.3 million beach clean-up operations to help local councils and ensure people can continue to enjoy visiting the beach this summer.The clean-up crews are made up of state government staff, workers from private company Goolwa Pipi Co and temporary contractors as required, covering beaches across Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula and parts of Yorke Peninsula.An extra 40 temporary staff will join the crews from this month to replace the Disaster Relief Australia volunteers.The clean-up operations are funded as part of the joint $102.5 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan, which also includes daily reports on algal bloom conditions at popular beaches through Surf Life Saving’s Beachsafe app.The toxic algal bloom has affected the southern Fleurieu coast since March and has since spread to much of the state but is yet to be declared a natural disaster.

Motorists are advised to take extra care on the roads today, Wednesday, November 12, with mobile speed cameras operating across South Australia, including the Fleurieu Peninsula and surrounding regions.As part of SAPOL’s ongoing road safety initiative, these mobile detection units are monitoring a range of high-traffic and high-risk areas to reduce speeding and prevent accidents. Whether you're commuting, travelling regionally, or heading into the city, it’s important to be mindful of your speed and road conditions.Below is the full list of mobile speed camera locations for today. Let’s all drive responsibly and help keep our roads safe.ASCOT AVE, VALE PARKBERRIMA RD, SHEIDOW PARKCHANDLERS HILL RD, HAPPY VALLEYCLAIRVILLE RD, CAMPBELLTOWNCOMMERCIAL RD, SEAFORDDEQUETTEVILLE TCE, ADELAIDEDYSON RD, CHRISTIES BEACHEASTON RD, HAPPY VALLEYFITZROY TCE, NORTH ADELAIDEGRAND BVD, SEAFORD RISEGRAVES ST, NEWTONHALLETT RD, STONYFELLHAPPY VALLEY DR, HAPPY VALLEYHARRIS RD, VALE PARKHECTORVILLE RD, HECTORVILLELEFEVRE TCE, NORTH ADELAIDELONSDALE RD, HALLETT COVEMAIN SOUTH RD, O'HALLORAN HILLNOTTAGE TCE, MEDINDIEOSMOND TCE, NORWOODPEACOCK RD, ADELAIDEPERRY BARR RD, HALLETT COVESEAFORD RD, SEAFORDWAR MEMORIAL DR, NORTH ADELAIDEWATTLE ST, FULLARTONThe Country Camera locations: Monday, 10 November 2025 to Sunday, 23 November 2025ADELAIDE RD, MCCRACKENAGERY RD, AGERYARDROSSAN RD, MAITLANDARMSTRONG RD, VICTOR HARBORASHBOURNE RD, STRATHALBYNAUGUSTA HWY, LOCHIELBALAKLAVA RD, BALAKLAVABATTUNGA RD, MEADOWSBAY RD, MOONTABEACH RD, COOBOWIEBEACH RD, GOOLWA BEACHBLANCHE TCE, MOONTACHARLES TCE, WALLAROOCOAST RD, MOONTA BAYCOPPER COAST HWY, PASKEVILLECOPPER COAST HWY, KADINACOPPER COAST HWY, KULPARACROZIER RD, VICTOR HARBORFENCHURCH ST, GOOLWAFLAGSTAFF HILL RD, MIDDLETONGOOLWA RD, MIDDLETONGWY TCE, BALAKLAVAHUGHES ST, WALLAROOKADINA RD, WALLAROOLONG VALLEY RD, STRATHALBYNMAIN SOUTH RD, DELAMEREMAIN SOUTH RD, MYPONGAMAIN SOUTH RD, YANKALILLAMAIN SOUTH RD, WATTLE FLATMAIN SOUTH RD, NORMANVILLEMAIN SOUTH RD, SECOND VALLEYMAIN ST, MINLATONMAITLAND RD, MINLATONMAWSON RD, MEADOWSMINLATON RD, MINLATONNORTH TCE, PORT ELLIOTPORT ELLIOT RD, PORT ELLIOTPORT ELLIOT RD, GOOLWA BEACHRUSSELL ST, KADINASEAVIEW RD, VICTOR HARBORSOUTH TCE, STRATHALBYNSPENCER HWY, ALFORDSPENCER HWY, PORT BROUGHTONST VINCENT HWY, PINE POINTTOTTENHAM COURT RD, PORT ELLIOTTRAEGER RD, BALAKLAVAVICTORIA ST, VICTOR HARBORWAITPINGA RD, WAITPINGAYORKE HWY, CURRAMULKAYORKE HWY, ARDROSSAN

The Department for Housing and Urban Development is proposing to realign the suburb boundaries of Port Noarlunga and Noarlunga Downs and is asking for community feedback.The proposal is to adjust the boundary between Port Noarlunga and Noarlunga Downs to include part of Noarlunga Downs within Port Noarlunga. This change would align the boundary with a future housing development site and may result in address changes for affected residents and businesses. Renewal SA will redevelop the site as a residential community featuring a large-scale housing project.It says the change will create a clearer and more logical boundary resolving the current issue where the existing boundary diagonally intersects the site.A map of the proposed change can be viewed on the City of Onkaparinga website.An opportunity to give feedback will remain open until Monday 1 December.

Police at Goolwa are investigating an assault last week.At 12:30pm Wednesday 5 November a woman was in a bakery on Cadell Street when she was assaulted by an unknown man, who was with two people.Two members of staff were also assaulted as they went to the assistance of the woman.Luckily no one was seriously injured.Police are seeking the help from the public to identify the man. He is described as 173 cm tall, Caucasian, short dark brown hair in his late twenties or early thirty’s. He was wearing dark clothing.If you witnessed the matter or know the identity of the man involved, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 285749.

Fleurieu Aquatic Centre will hold a free Community Fun Day for all ages on Saturday 15 November, from 11am to 4pm. There have been rolling closure of the Centre’s pools over the past few months to enable maintenance works, which are now complete.The day will be packed with activities and demonstrations, including a new style of aqua aerobics classes and swimming assessments from 11am to 1pm. There will be inflatable fun from 12pm to 2pm and sensory hydrotherapy from 2pm to 4pm.After the hubbub there will be a relaxing floating sound bath at 5pm, for which a fee applies.Booking is essential for the Hydrohex aqua aerobics and the sound bath. Visit the FAC website for details.

South Australia’s finest tourism operators were recognised last week at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards Gala Dinner, with three Fleurieu businesses inducted into the Hall of Fame and three making a clean sweep of the Excellence in Food Tourism category.Fleurieu Food and Wine won gold; Goolwa’s Anita Robin, The Foodbuilder took out silver; while the Willunga Farmers Market was awarded bronze.In the Eco Tourism category The Big Duck Boat Tour took out gold while Spirit of the Coorong won gold in the Tour and Transport Operators category, both for the third consecutive year, which qualified them for the SA Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.Joel Hirsch is General Manager across both brands. “We are absolutely thrilled. This is a win for our whole team,” he says.“From our crew on the water to our staff behind the scenes, everyone has gone above and beyond to deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests — even during uncertainty. This result is a testament to our commitment to sustainable, nature-based tourism in South Australia.”Both operators — based in Victor Harbor, Wirrina Cove and Goolwa — have continued to lead the way in marine and wetland ecotourism, education, and citizen science. Spirit of the Coorong’s immersive Coorong National Park cruises and The Big Duck’s whale, seal and dolphin tours have become iconic visitor experiences in the Fleurieu Peninsula region.“These awards are not just about trophies — they’re about what we stand for. Regenerative tourism, community partnerships, environmental care and creating joy for every single guest,” Joel says.The d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale took out gold in the Tourist Attractions category and also entered the Hall of Fame, while the Victor Harbor Horse Tram won bronze.Old Coach Road Estate in Hindmarsh Valley took out gold in the Self-Contained Accommodation category.Goolwa’s 2025 South Australian Wooden Boat Festival won silver in the Festivals and Events category and SA eBikes in McLaren Vale won silver in the Tourism Retail, Hire and Services category.McLaren Vale’s Dandelion Vineyards won bronze in the Tourism Wineries categories, while its Never Never Distilling Co won silver in the Tourism Distilleries and Breweries category.Over 26 categories showcased South Australia's most exceptional tourism businesses, with the awards highlighting outstanding achievement, business excellence and commitment to delivering quality visitor experiences.Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says the diversity of winners at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards is a terrific demonstration of what makes the state a must-visit destination worldwide. “The passion and dedication of everyone who is part of our visitor economy enables our state’s tourism sector to be the success it is, contributing close to $10 billion each year while providing meaningful jobs for more than 40,000 South Australians. “Congratulations to all the winners and thank you once again for your continued commitment to making South Australia an inclusive and welcoming destination of choice.” Winners from Categories 1 to 26 of the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards go on to represent South Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards, to be held on Friday 6 March 2026 in Fremantle, Western Australia. The 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards is supported by the South Australian Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission.To view the full list of winners and find out more about the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards, visit the website.   The Big Duck Boat Tours and Spirit of the Coorong have achieved a landmark result at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards, taking home Gold in their respective categories and being inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame for winning three years in a row. 

The Victor Harbor National Trust museum and heritage house will celebrate a new exhibit with a family fun day on Saturday 15 November.The exhibit commemorates the shipwreck of the South Australian, the oldest colonial shipwreck, in the waters of Encounter Bay.The barque foundered on 8 December 1837 en route to Hobart and the wreck was rediscovered in 2018.A 3D virtual reality exhibit detailing the search and discovery of the wreck has been on show in the Australian National Maritime museum since mid-2024.The fun day will feature activities and outdoor games, a Lions Club sausage sizzle, plus tea and coffee. The gift shop will be open.It will run from 11am to 3pm at the museum, located at 1 Flinders Parade – opposite the Horse Tram.

The south coast community will be able to access the new Emergency Department at Victor Harbor from Wednesday November 19. Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie was given a tour ahead of the official opening last week.She says the purpose-built and modern facility is a long-awaited and much-needed investment in regional health, which she has advocated for many years. “The number of treatment areas is increasing from five to 20 and includes short-stay beds, enclosed treatment bays, resuscitation bays and paediatric areas.“In the more than nine years I’ve been the local Federal MP, there’s been a significant growth in presentations to the ED in Victor Harbor. This redevelopment has been designed to accommodate continuing growth into the future. “This facility will be able to manage all levels of emergencies, with a capacity to cope with larger patient volumes than the current ED. It’s been a long time coming and is vital for the south coast region and its rapidly growing population.”This $16.8 million upgrade, was jointly funded by the federal and state governments and features an Extended Care Unit with three beds for clinically stable patients who are expected to be discharged within 24 hours, two patient consulting rooms and a low-stimulus room. Other new and upgraded features include patient admission and triage areas, an interview room and visitor lounge, secure storage spaces, staff stations and offices. The state government says the upgrade increases the local ED to 400% of the previous capacity to meet the future emergency health needs of a region that is projected to experience 42% population growth over the next 15 years. The project was designed by architectural firm Wiltshire Swain, and building works were completed by building company Schiavello Construction. Both contractors are experienced in the delivery of health service upgrades across regional and metropolitan areas. Ramindjeri, Ngarrindjeri and Narungga man and artist Cedric Varcoe also contributed to the project’s design, providing landscaping advice and developing artwork for the site to ensure it is a culturally welcoming space.The state government says it is investing in a bigger health system for the Fleurieu region, including a $1.3 million expansion of the hospital’s Renal Unit, enabling an extra eight patients to undertake renal dialysis treatment closer to home.“Since coming to office this state government has delivered a $9 million new Victor Harbor Ambulance Station and expanded local ambo numbers through the recruitment of an additional 12 paramedics for the area. “Work is currently underway to deliver a $3.5 million upgrade of the ambulance station in nearby Goolwa, which will be the home base for another 12 newly recruited paramedics due for deployment this month.”   

Words: David O'BrienThanks to Coast Lines magazineA million smiles: Tez Nightingale’s wild, whacky world of BogeyeDid you ever doodle strange little characters in the margins of your school books, daydreaming while a teacher droned on about French conjugations? Terry ‘Tez’ Nightingale sure did. But unlike most of us who left those doodles behind with our teenage years, Tez brought his scribbled hero back to life decades later—this time not as a classroom distraction, but as a gift to the world.From his home in Victor Harbor—where he lives with his wife and three sons—Tez has resurrected Bogeye, a chaotic, red-boot-wearing mischief-maker from his youth, turning his adventures into a vibrant, hilarious graphic series that’s as full of heart as it is absurdity. And the best part - it’s completely free.“I got an F in French,” Tez admits with a chuckle. “I drew Bogeye on the back of my exercise books because I didn’t want to learn French and the teacher wasn’t very good.” Although he earned reasonable grades elsewhere, it was in those defiant, distracted moments that a spark of creativity took hold. Years later, long after a career spanning the UK and South Australian police forces, Tez rediscovered that spark through a surprisingly personal motivation: helping his son Quinn fall in love with reading.“He didn’t want to sit and read,” Tez explains. “He wanted to do something more arty. So I drew Bogeye doing silly things—speech bubbles, funny poses—whatever would make him laugh. Suddenly, he was reading the words without even thinking about it.”What started as a dad’s clever way of encouraging literacy snowballed into a family affair. Soon, all three of Tez’s boys were contributing wild plot twists. “One of them would say, ‘I want Bogeye blown up off the toilet,’ so I’d draw that. It became this collaborative playground.”Tez’s Bogeye series now has three issues: Desert Racer, Adventures in Space and the newly released Stealing the Mona Lisa. Each book, comprising just 16 pages, is a riot of bold colour, wacky energy and unpredictable turns. Tez crafts each episode using a blend of hand-drawing and digital editing on an iPad, using the Book Creator app—an educational tool his wife introduced him to.“It blew my mind,” he says. “Not only could I create the whole book, but I could generate a QR code linking directly to it. That was it—I had a product I could hand out to anyone. My own little mission became simple: get people to smile.”His goal? One million smiles. “Every QR code I hand out, that’s 32 smiles to me,” Tez says. “Multiply that by the 3,000 I’ve already given out, and you start to see the dream forming.”Despite his clear artistic flair, Tez is quick to clarify he’s no trained illustrator. “The only formal art training I had was a bit of technical drawing,” he says. After earning an engineering diploma, he worked for several years designing machinery protection systems. That background still shows up today—in Bogeye’s unmistakable, squared-off handwriting and precise linework.“I think that’s where it comes from,” he muses. “It’s all very neat—my way of bringing order to the madness.”And madness it is. Bogeye isn’t bound by logic or gravity. He’s blown up, launched into space, and flung through time in fast-paced, irreverent scenarios that land somewhere between Dogman and a fever dream. But despite the lunacy, there’s a purpose to every panel.“Bogeye is chaos, sure,” Tez grins, “but it’s designed chaos. It’s literacy in disguise.”Unlike many creators today, Tez actively avoids social media and online analytics. “I don’t want to know how many people are reading it, or what they think,” he says. “I didn’t build this to get feedback. I built it for joy.” He’s never asked for money, never tracked a download, and never measured success in terms of clicks or likes. The only connection between Tez and his audience is a printed QR code—and he intends to keep it that way.“There’s a kind of purity to that,” he says. “It’s not about me. It’s about the moment when someone scans that code and gets a laugh.”The upcoming fourth issue, The Great Doughnut Fiasco, is inspired by stories from one of his sons, who works in a doughnut van. As with all things Bogeye, expect the ridiculous and the unexpected. But if comparisons to bestselling children’s graphic novels like Dogman come up, Tez shrugs them off.“I love Dogman—it’s brilliant,” he says. “But I’m not trying to be the next anything. This is just something that happened. An accident of creativity.”That humility underscores every part of the Bogeye journey. For Tez, it's never been about building a brand or climbing a ladder. It's about the love of creation—and a simple desire to lift others.In a full-circle moment, Tez laughs at how the school subject he once failed—French—makes a cameo in the latest issue of Bogeye. “There are a few French phrases in there,” he says. “Turns out I remembered a bit after all.”He reflects on the irony with the grace of someone who’s made peace with life’s twists. “It’s funny, isn’t it? Failing French all those years ago actually led to something wonderful. That’s what they say—failure teaches you more than success. I failed French, but gained my creativity in that moment.”And now, the rest of us get to share in the result: a quirky little character with red boots and a big heart, drawn by a dad with a dream and a mission to make us smile—one QR code at a time.

Onkaparinga Libraries is again holding its Wordfest writing and poetry competition for youth and adults to tell the story of the district in poetry or prose.The theme is community, place and belonging relating to people or places within the City of Onkaparinga and is open to South Australian residents.There are three categories: Flash Fiction for ages 18 and above; Poetry for ages 18 and above; and Youth - ages 12 to 17.Each category has a 500 word limit and carries a prize of $100, which will be judged by Writers SA. Winners will be announced and contacted by Onkaparinga Libraries in mid-January.The deadline for entries is Tuesday 9 December at 5pm; find the entry form online.

School is almost out for summer and several thousand school leavers will visit the south coast to celebrate the 2025 Schoolies Festival from 21 to 23 November.The festivities will centre around Victor Harbor’s Warland Reserve from 7pm to 1am across the three days of music, dancing and fun activities.Non-profit health promotion charity Encounter Youth has managed the annual event for more than 20 years, with the aim of keeping everyone safe and happy.The final working group meeting, prior to the event, will be held on Thursday 13 November at the Victor Harbor Civic Centre at 2pm.These meetings are open to anyone interested in participating. To attend RSVP via email. For more information on the Schoolies Festival and how it will impact the community, such as road closures, visit the City of Victor Harbor website or Encounter Youth.