Anne Monceaux - Mayor of Burnside

It is a special month for the BIG ISSUE and its sellers because it has been supporting those in need for that many years. The cost of the bound book is more than usual but it is really important to the sellers and so I was happy to sell with Steve this morning at our Civic Centre and buy a copy too!

I was delighted to attend the opening of the new Emily Centre in St Peter’s Girls yesterday. As Mayor, as a past teacher there and as a former student, it was great to catch up with former students and teachers and see the efforts involved in creating such an outstanding educational facility for performing arts, physical education and sport. It was opened by Melanie Cooper AM from Cooper’s Brewery who was a former student and spoke with heartfelt joy about the start given her by this school.

Today I am meeting with Year 4 students from St Peter’s Girls at the Civic Centre. They are coming in to learn about environmental sustainability and waste with our Education Officer, Sarah and I will be taking them on a short tour of Burnside’s history through the paintings hanging in the Mayor’s Parlour and teaching them about how council meetings work. I always look forward to teaching young people about civics.

Am presently at the protest meeting which demonstrates its concern about the further destruction of the parklands. At what cost?

Do you see and understand the difference between these 2 libraries? Both are in parks or reserves but one is for books and the other contains sports gear. Use them and return them when finished with. These new Sports Libraries were designed and made by our folks at the Men’s Shed. Great work guys!

I met this morning with other Mayors of Campbelltown, Unley and Adelaide for our monthly meeting to discuss issues of mutual interest. The main topic of conversation this morning was the impact of the MotoGP on our eastern communities, regarding road closures, traffic, parking , loss of OBahn service, overall cost, possible permanent infrastructure, environmental damage and tree destruction. Unable to attend this morning were Walkerville, Prospect and Norwood, Payneham and St Peters.

It is always my pleasure to chat with young children learning about Civics and Citizenship and how councils work. Three days this week I have been visited by Linden Park Primary school Year 4 students who are learning about local government. I welcomed them into the Mayor’s Parlour and talked about the history of Burnside as illustrated in the paintings there and we went into the Council Chamber to learn about how council meetings work. They spent time in our library too finding out about how our library works. I always enjoy helping children learn.

I enjoyed spending time with the Ladies Probus Club of Burnside this morning for their 39th birthday. We were also entertained by Ukebees, a group of 12 today (and have 20 members) who played ukuleles and sang so we could all join in. Isabel who is a Life Member cut the cake at age 101. Thank you for inviting me once again! It was such fun joining the singing and morning tea.