Images kindly shared by the Walking Wings community project, Fleurieu Environment Centre

The Kensington community warmly invites you to a joyful and family-friendly Winter Solstice Gathering, celebrating the changing seasons and our local creatures.

This community project invites children, young people, families and neighbours of all ages to gather in wonder, imagination and connection. We invite you to come dressed as a local creature, wearing masks, costumes or creature-inspired creations. You might arrive as a moth, a bird, a frog, a possum, a plant or another being of nature – or simply come as yourself.

In the weeks leading up to the gathering, two free creative workshops will be held at St Matthew’s Activity Hall, led by cherished South Australian artist Laura Wills.

These workshops will support participants to create masks, costumes and wearable artworks inspired by local creatures and the magic of winter. They are a chance to come together, meet neighbours, spark imagination and prepare for the celebration. You are welcome to attend one workshop, both workshops, or none at all and still join the Winter Solstice Gathering.

Everyone is welcome.

Key dates and bookings links:

Creative Workshop 1 – BOOK HERE

Saturday 23 May 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm | St Matthew’s Activity Hall, corner of Bridge Street and Wellington Street, Kensington 5068

Creative Workshop 2 – BOOK HERE

Saturday 13 June 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm | St Matthew’s Activity Hall, corner of Bridge Street and Wellington Street, Kensington 5068

Winter Solstice Gathering – BOOK HERE

Sunday 21 June 2026 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Borthwick Park, Thornton Street, Kensington 5068

On Sunday 21 June, we will gather at Borthwick Park beside the creek, beneath the ancient Story Tree – the magnificent old Red Gum that has watched over many seasons.

As dusk arrives, we will take a playful neighbourhood procession through the suburb, celebrating the turning of the seasons and the beauty of winter, before returning to the park for music, storytelling and seasonal refreshments.

The winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year — a time honoured across cultures as a moment of reflection, togetherness and welcoming the return of light. Our gathering reimagines this tradition through local nature, creativity and community connection. Whether you arrive as a glowing moth, a wise owl, a frog from the creek, a possum of the trees, or simply as yourself wrapped warmly in winter clothes — you are most welcome.

Come rugged up. Come dressed up. Come celebrate the longest night and welcome the returning light.

This very special FREE* event has been proudly arranged by the Norwood Football Club and the Kensington Residents’ Association over the past 2 years and we are delighted to be running it again in 2026!

Primary school age kids accompanied by their adult caregiver are invited to join in the fun at Norwood Oval on Thursday 4th June, 4:30-6:00pm.

🏈Participate in a coaching session and have a kick on the Oval (dress warmly and wear shoes to kick in but no footy boots please!);

🏈Meet Norwood Redlegs players;

🏈Behind-the-scenes tour of team facilities;

🏈Refreshments for the kids e.g. pies, pasties and a drink;

🏈Norwood FC gift to take home.

Event registration is essential. Limited to 25 children in total. A responsible adult must be registered to accompany every family group of 1-3 children.

Click here to book through Trybooking. Arrive by 4.15pm for 4.30pm admission to the Oval. See you there!

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Working bees are held 9-11am on the 2nd Sunday of every month (except January) to maintain the understorey plants established since the project began in 2009.

Join us in the park on Sunday 14th June 2026 between 9am and 11am. We’ll be pulling out weeds, topping up mulch, tip pruning shrubs… whatever needs doing!

Volunteering locally is a great way to meet new people in your neighbourhood. Bring the kids. Invite a friend or neighbour to volunteer with you. Jobs for all ages and capabilities. No prior gardening experience necessary. All training and tools are provided. Wear enclosed footwear, hat and clothing to suit the weather. Bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one or we’ll issue you with on on the day.

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If you can’t manage physical gardening work, you are most welcome to join us for morning tea from 11am. Free tea, coffee and a delicious spread of morning tea treats on offer.

Saturday 4th July, 1pm-5pm planting with afternoon tea provided + drinks and nibbles afterwards

Sunday 12th July, 9am-12.30pm planting with morning tea provided + lunch afterwards

We will be planting locally-indigenous native seedlings, staking them, watering well and covering any exposed soil with mulch.

Jobs for everyone! Full training provided. Come by yourself or bring the family or a friend. All welcome! Kid-friendly events! Please wear clothing/footwear suitable for gardening.

Bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one (if not, we’ll issue you one) and a couple of buckets if possible. Buckets are always in demand on planting days!

Why are we planting in Borthwick Park? It seems to be already full of plants!

🌱Weed suppression – More native ground covers = less weeds in the beds.

🌱Replacement – Species like wattles and soft herbaceous plants are short-lived. Plants are regularly damaged during park activity or due to storms or heat.

🌱Diversity – Increasing the diversity of plant species maximises the health of the park.  Every year we try out new species of shrubs, grasses and groundcovers to attract more butterflies and birds and benefit our ancient River Redgums.  All species planted are indigenous to the local area, mostly sourced from Trees for Life as seedlings.  In the past local volunteers have also provided plants grown from seeds and cuttings collected in Borthwick Park.

Find out more about the widely acclaimed biodiversity project which has transformed Borthwick Park since conception in 2009 by clicking here.

Winter Solstice Open Mic! If you sing, play an instrument, do stand-up comedy or recite poetry please join in for the open mic. Register to perform via email to contact@kra.org.au or put your name on the board on the night. Acts limited to 10 minutes length.

Starting time to be announced asap! Free Entry! Free Finger Food!

Where? Regent Room, Kensington Hotel, 23 Regent Street, Kensington

Discount drinks for KRA members. You are welcome to join the KRA on the night ($15 for 1 year membership).

Past events – see posters below:

21 June 2025 Open Mic & Kensi Frenzy Singalong

22 June 2024: Winter Solstice Open Mic featuring Daddy Crow

22 June 2023: The Apocalyptic Winter Solstice featuring live music by Apocalyptic Breakdown, The Rude Mechanicals plus open mic opportunity

Date, time and venue to be advised closer to the time.

Agenda items typically include:

Treasurer’s Report

President’s Report

KRA Committee election – KRA members present elect committee members and office-bearers to drive KRA activities for the coming year*

Other business

Guest speaker/s

Supper, wine, tea and coffee after close of meeting – a great opportunity to talk with the KRA committee, guest speakers, and Kensington friends and neighbours whilst enjoying one of the supper spreads the KRA is famous for!

* If you are interested in joining the KRA Committee, please contact our Secretary NOW to nominate via email to contact@kra.org.au. Joining the KRA Committee is a great way to get involved with YOUR Association and work with other locals to make Kensington the best possible neighbourhood.

The Kensington Residents’ Association annually offers two grants to be spent on projects which benefit the Kensington community:

$1000 grant for adults (18 and over);

$250 grant for children (under 18).

Any project that benefits our fabulous suburb will be considered! It may be environmental, cultural, artistic, social, even virtual. Click here for some ideas to get your thoughts bubbling! 2025 grant guidelines are available here.

Who is eligible to apply? Anyone living in Kensington or on its perimeter roads who is a member of the Association (or living in a member household). Non-members may join on payment of our $15 annual fee.

Thanks to PGH Bricks & Pavers for the use of their mobile pizza oven.

Where? Borthwick Park, Thornton St Kensington

When? Spring 2026 – date to be confirmed

The KRA’s most popular event will be back on again in the Spring of 2026! We’ll be stoking the fire in the pizza oven ready for the residents and friends of Kensington to descend on the park with chairs, drinks, good spirits, and a hearty appetite. Bring your own plates and/or cutlery please.

The KRA committee will make and serve pizza until everyone is happily full. The usual team will be there, rolling, topping, baking, and slicing delicious pizzas for you as you mingle with fellow Kensingtonians, enjoying our beautiful Borthwick Park, and listening to live music performances by local musicians.

This is a family friendly event and a perfect opportunity to invite new friends or neighbours to meet other locals and make new connections.

Registration in advance is essential so we know how many people we’re catering for… then when you get to the Park on the day please check in at the registration table and pick up a name tag.

Not a KRA member yet? No worries! It’s just $15/household/year to join. Click here to download a membership form. Payment options are listed on the form. Return your completed form to our Secretary at 42 Regent Street or email to contact@kra.org.au

Gather in Regent Garden next to McKellar Stewart kindy from 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

We’ll cross over to The Kensi first for some warm up carols in the front bar. Led by bagpipers, we’ll make our way down Thornton St pausing to sing at the Lithuanian community units, then turn right into High St to join the Sisters of St Joseph at the Bethany Centre (4 High Street) to sing a few carols.

Next the group will walk southeast on High St, then along Richmond St and though Borthwick Park to the Thornton St entrance of the Norwood Aged Cottage Homes (NACH).

We’ll make our way through the NACH property, exiting onto Bridge Street , and head up to the Rising Sun Inn to finish with a few carols inside the front bar at approximately 8.30pm.

We stop frequently along this route to sing carols and spread Christmas cheer through our suburb.

Side-tracks and minor route variations are possible – if you would like the Kensington carollers to sing outside your home please get in touch with our Secretary (contact@kra.org.au) and we’ll do our best to make it happen!

Song sheets are provided by KRA.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress with some Christmassy flair – tinsel, Santa hats, Christmas shirts, reindeer antlers…

Meet Kensington’s Clean Up Coordinator Peter Duffy in Borthwick Park, Thornton Street at 10am on Sunday 1st March 2026.

Wear shoes for comfortable walking, sun protection and clothing to suit the weather.

Volunteers will be given gloves and sturdy bags for waste and recyclables, and assigned one suburban block to lap and collect items discarded on the footpath. In small groups we’ll cover all of Kensington.

Regroup in Borthwick Park to drop off your collected waste and recyclables and enjoy a free brunch cooked on the park barbeques by Kensington Residents’ Association members.

The KRA clean up is registered on the CUAD website here – and you can find out more about this national clean up by clicking here.