Australia Day in Norwood SA

Yesterday was Australia Day, the 26th January. This is a day that holds a lot of complexity, and it is important to acknowledge that for indigenous Australians this day symbolises the irrevocable and deeply traumatic changes to the way of life of the original inhabitants and owners of this land - in a local sense that is the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains.

However, at the same time it is a day which can hold a lot of joy.

I attended the NPSP Australia Day Ceremony, held in the beautiful Norwood Concert Hall. Guests included the Mayor of NPSP and most of the local elected members; the Member for Norwood Steven Marshall; the Member for Bragg Vicki Chapman; the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Hartley, the Hon Grace Portolesi; and the Federal Minister for the Status of Women and Member for Adelaide the Hon Kate Ellis.

More importantly, many of the guests were friends and family of people choosing this day to become Australian Citizens.
 48 people took part in the Australian citizenship ceremony, taking the Australian Citizenship Pledge .

I have spent some years living in a country where I was not a citizen, so I can really appreciate the value, both practical and spiritual, of being a citizen in the country where one has chosen to make one's life.

All those in attendance had the opportunity to reflect on the values of Australia, both in terms of the recent floods, and some inspiring stories of migrant Australians finding success in their chosen home.

The connecting power of arts and culture was shown by the wonderful musical performances of the Australian Girls Choir and the African Burundi Drummers, as well as the stories related to us by the special guest speakers.

Pat Rix was chosen as our Australia Day Ambassador, a program that has been sponsored by Woolworths for the last 21 years. Pat Rix is the founder and director of Tutti Ensemble, a group that uses the power of theatre and music to promote social inclusion and understanding for people with disability.

I am very happy to say that the NPSP Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award went to Beth Mylius, the driving force behind Sustainable Communities SA, for her tireless work in reconnecting local people to form networks that support people in their journey to live in a more sustainable manner, especially at the household and community level.

By giving this recognition to Beth and Sustainable Communities SA, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council  has shown its willingness to support these kind of community initiatives, which bodes very well for our future!

Documenting our community

Miriam and Andrew Yip from Environmental & Science Media have just completed their 3 minutes introductory video on Sustainable Communities SA. The video features Beth Mylius talking about Sustainable Communities, with footage from the Maylands/Beulah Park Community Group, Essential Edibles, and Nikki's Garden (one of the Sustainable Communities Backyard Community Gardening Groups) with guest appearances from Steven Marshall MP (Norwood) and Evonne Moore, previous Councillor for Maylands ward. Music provided by yours truly.

Video is here

Music for people

I have had the pleasure of being able to perform my music for some very special occasions this week.

On Monday 6th December I played my saxophone for the ladies of Noi Donne in the Community Rooms of the Payneham Library for their final session of the year, and the next morning I took along my flute for the ladies and gentlemen of Amicizia and played Christmas songs, accompanying some enthusiastic singing!

Noi Donne and Amicizia are just two of the programs run by the Co-ordinating Italian Committee or CIC. I joined as a volunteer with CIC a couple of months ago, and I am finding that I am loving being involved with this organisation that does so much for the elderly and socially disadvantaged people in our community. They have cuore - heart.

I am also playing some jazz flute this evening for the Adelaide premiere of Design for Life, the documentary of The Food Forest, the world class permaculture farm and education centre in Gawler, SA.

At the launch of the wonderful mural by local artist Sebastian Humphreys at the Norwood Pool on Saturday 4th, music was provided by two young saxophone players. They sounded great, and certainly added to the occasion.

Music makes people feel good. Music helps people feel connected. Music is a powerful and often under-estimated part of our community health.

I'll be encouraging more opportunities for community music making and enjoyment during my term on Council, and long after, I expect!

Essential Edibles

I attended the Essential Edibles urban food swap on Sunday 5th December. Essential Edibles started up last September and takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 9am-11am at Joslin Reserve, between 3rd and 4th Avenues in Joslin.
You don't need to bring any produce to swap - just bring yourself and share what you can! In my case, I shared my music. Miriam and Andrew Yip from Environmental & Science Media were there filming the occasion, and Steven Marshall MP, who is a keen supporter of this community initiative, was also there chatting to folks.

Lots of good photos here on the Sustainable Communities SA website.

My Policies in more detail - text from my Policy Brochure

Detailed Policy Brochure, Sophia MacRae

I believe that all Councils benefit from having fresh, energetic, enthusiastic and committed people on their team. I believe in innovative, integrated long-term think that develops the synergy between the Council and the community.

I am committed to living with my family in this area for the long term. I will continue to be active in my community with my volunteer work. My professional work as a teacher and musician keeps me continually engaged with people young and old. 

If elected to Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, I commit to being available and accountable to all constituents.

Are you concerned about traffic safety?

Our children and our elderly need to negotiate the roads and footpaths safely as they move around the neighbourhood. We all need safe roads. Council plays a huge role in improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. As a parent who commutes with my son on my bicycle, and walks to childcare and the shops, I have a particular interest in traffic safety, and if elected I will work with Council to ensure that safety for all is given the attention and resources it demands.

Do you want pleasant public space and access to community gardens?

By maintaining and enhancing facilities such as playgrounds, parks, cultural centres, community gardens and community noticeboards, the Council can encourage people to get involved in activities in their neighbourhood, which benefits the health and well-being of everyone in the community. Norwood Payneham & St Peters is blessed with a variety of beautiful communal spaces, and I want to help people make the most of them.

Do you want more support from Council regarding water and waste management?

Waste management is a key sustainability issue for our city. I believe that the recycling of organic waste is something that bears more consideration and consultation with the community. I would like to see more incentives for on-site composting of organic waste, and the assisted uptake of “Bokashi” bins for those without gardens.

I am also committed to water management and will work with the Council and residents to conserve water and to prevent waste run-off from polluting our stormwater. Better urban and residential design and assistance to residents for purchasing tanks and other basic infrastructure will improve our ability to retain the water in our city.

Do you care about trees and supporting our urban ecology?

I am committed to preserving our city's bio-diversity. The health of our community is linked to the health of our natural environment. The trees that line our streets, parks and wetlands are a haven for native birds and other life, and are vital to the bio-diversity of our urban surroundings. Council needs to be responsible and pro-active regarding the planting and maintenance of trees, and the management of native wildlife. If elected to Council, I will work to ensure that the proposed changes to the “Significant Tree” legislation do not adversely affect our residents or the amenity of our city. I will also work to rehabilitate the four creeks that run through our city.

Do you want to see the heritage character of NPSP preserved?

Sensitive, appropriate urban development is essential in order to retain the valuable heritage character of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. Flexibility and support are required from Council to ensure that rate payers are not overburdened with the expenses of maintaining old dwellings.

If elected, I will endeavour to see that Council operates an open channel for community consultation to ensure a healthy mix of heritage and well-designed contemporary buildings for NPSP.

Do you want to save money on energy and water?

Water and energy conservation is an important issue for all South Australians. Intelligent urban planning, utilising best-practise design principles, can greatly enhance our ability to use energy and water more efficiently. I aim to work effectively to encourage water-sensitive urban planning in our public spaces and to encourage developers to implement energy-efficient building materials and techniques in our city.

Do you love the culture of our city?

I am a qualified musician who has been teaching, performing and managing professional arts events for over twenty years. As a musician I have experienced first-hand the value of community spirit and openness, and how being involved in the arts benefits the vitality and heath of our community. Norwood Payneham & St Peters is well known for its involvement with the arts and cultural events. If elected, I will work to enhance this, and make the arts even more accessible to everyone.

 Are you concerned about fiscal responsibility and accountability from your Council?  

  

If elected to the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, I will be accessible and accountable to everyone in the community, and I'll be working hard to keep your rates as low as possible. 

I support local businesses, and want every dollar spent in our community to stay in our community for as long as possible, to create shared prosperity.

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 We all deserve to live in a pleasant neighbourhood where things just work well.

The Council is there to serve you.

I will demand effective programs and services for you.

I will ensure real community consultation, using the technology of today’s world.

Norwood Payneham & St Peters is already a great place to live, and I'm determined to make it even better.

Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week is this week, 10th -16th October. Stress Less Day is Wednesday 13th October, and the Mental Health Week Walk is on this Friday 15th October from 10am-2pm at the River Torrens in town.

Mental health is something that concerns us all. One in five people in our community will experience mental health problems. That is someone you know, someone you work with, someone you love. If it is you, then you know how isolating and challenging it is to deal with mental health issues.

Many people feel that they have to bear this burdon alone, and keep it a secret. It shouldn't be that way.

By having this issue acknowledged openly, and by having community facilities and connections enhanced, we can all work together for everyone's health and well-being.
Community gardens, playgrounds, public space, safe and clean streets, trees, accessible cultural events and noticeboards, are all part of the way that Council can contribute to better mental health for everyone.

Our local radio station

Last night I went to the backyard of Three D Radio, our local independant radio station on Nelson St in Stepney. They hold the "Hillbilly Hoot" there every Monday night from 8pm-9pm, which is open to all, and broadcast live to air. I brought my clarinet along and had a little blow at the end.

We are so lucky to have this community resource in our own patch. Three D Radio is totally volunteer run, and depends on subscriptions and the very occassional grant to exist. They support South Australian artists and those who have been under-represented in traditional broadcasting.

I'm sending them my subscription today!