All News and Events
Bikes For Refugees now located in Marryatville
Bikes for Refugees & Adelaide Community Bicycle Workshop have relocated to sheds behind St Matthew’s Church, 146 Kensington Road, Marryatville. Access the carpark and workshop from The Crescent.
From their former location in Franklin Street in the city, the Bikes for Refugees charity provided more than 17,000 bikes to refugees and other people in need. Cr Christel Mex of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and Bishop Tim Harris of St Matthew’s Church officially opened the new workshop on Friday 14th November. The Hon. Mira el Dannawi MLC also spoke during the formalities, praising the efforts of Bikes For Refugees in providing refugees with a means of transport and a sense of inclusion in Adelaide.
Opening Hours*
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 11am-5 pm
Most Saturdays 10am-1pm
*If possible, please call or SMS before visiting.
Please contact the workshop (phone or email) if you wish to donate bikes or bike parts. The team will be able to quickly determine with a few questions whether they can use the items you wish to donate. If they can’t use your unwanted bikes/parts they will be able to direct you to alternative options for recycling.
Skilled volunteers are needed to assist with bike repairs – contact Mike Brisco at the workshop if you can help.
Renovated bikes and second-hand bike parts are also sold to the public to raise funds for running costs and donations to aligned charities. Check Facebook Marketplace to view available bikes by clicking here. Most Saturdays the team holds a Bike Market where you can purchase a checked and serviced bike for a reasonable price or browse their collection of second hand bike parts and accessories. Note, Saturdays can be very busy, so customising of purchased bikes is not possible.
Contact via:
Email: acbwsa@gmail.com
Mobile Ph: 0406 918 787
View the workshop’s website here and for further information on the charity, click here.
20 Oct CAP meeting UPDATE!
! UPDATE ! The Council Assessment Panel refused to approve demolition of 69 High St Kensington during their meeting on 20th October!! A WIN but the old Kensington elementary school building is NOT SAFE YET, as the applicants (owners) could appeal to the Environment Resources and Development Court to overturn or alter the CAP’s decision.
The Kensington Residents’ Association is continuing to pursue State Heritage listing for 69 High St. We have lodged a very detailed and extensively researched nomination with Heritage SA seeking State Heritage status for this neglected Kensington gem that dates from 1847.
To ensure neglected historic properties are better protected in the future, you can write to the Minister for Planning, the Hon Nick Champion (pictured below outside 69 High St), requesting that the recommendation from the Expert Panel for the Planning System Implementation Review (2023) regarding demolition by neglect is fully implemented as a matter of urgency. See page 225 of this report.
The Council Assessment Panel is obliged to follow the rules of the State Government’s Planning and Design Code, so this change to the code is crucial.
Write to the Minister at MinisterChampion@sa.gov.au .
Why is the building at 69 High Street so important? It is one of the oldest elementary school buildings in South Australia and one of the oldest single-room adaptive colonial buildings in existence. Built in 1847 it is the oldest still-standing example of a school associated with the Congregationalist movement championed by John William Roberts (1794-1875), who also built the 1848 Congregationalist Chapel, located in Maesbury Street beside Pioneer Park. The school at 69 High Street was specifically linked to Roberts’ ‘dissenter’ views and his desire to create Kensington Village as a model community based on the ‘Voluntary Principle’.
From the Book of Assessment for the Town of Kensington and Norwood 1849, the building was described as a ‘School Room’ and the occupier was Septimus Webster, a school master. An advertisement from the SA Register on 18 August 1856 shows that Mr Septimus Webster advertised for students for the Kensington Elementary School at the site.
Sandy Wilkinson, Heritage Consultant, in conjunction with Urathane Solutions, provided a report to the Council Assessment Panel at its May 2025 meeting when the Panel first considered the demolition application. The report outlined the heritage value of the building and argued that the building is not irredeemably beyond repair and should not be subject to demolition approval under the Planning and Design Code. The owners of 69 High Street have apparently has ignored this advice and are proceeding with the demolition application.
The Kensington Residents’ Association calls on the State Government to implement the 2023 recommendations from the Expert Panel for Planning Implementation Review, by changing the Planning and Design Code immediately to address “demolition by neglect”. The Expert Panel recommended that Councils be given the power to issue maintenance orders for Local Heritage Places and also to allow Council Assessment Panels to consider the cause of deterioration in demolition assessments (Reform 15: “To exclude deterioration due to neglect as a supporting factor for demolition”).
“The Panel heard that there is a penchant for local heritage places to be neglected and left to deteriorate to enable ease of their demolition in accordance with Performance Outcome 6.1 of the Code. The Panel considers this needs review to ensure the local heritage places are not being neglected and left dilapidated.” (Final Report and Recommendations: Expert Panel for the Planning System Implementation Review, page 225)
The South Australian Government may support this recommendation, but it has yet to be implemented.
If we lose the historic elementary school building, an important part of the story of South Australia will be lost forever. SOS! Save Our Schoolhouse!
26 Oct: Rising Sun Inn celebrates 180 years
—- THIS IS A RISING SUN INN EVENT —
The Rising Sun Inn will celebrate 180 years of history on 26th October from 12 noon to 7pm with
• live music
• giveaways from Coopers Brewery & Paracombe Wines
• prizes for the best period costumes, and
• special guest Robert Bria, Mayor of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, cutting the birthday cake!
Outdoor dining available in the carpark (high tables & stools under umbrellas) with a duo performing live from 1pm.
The Inn’s restaurant will be open for lunchtime a la carte dining, phone 83330721 to book a table.
No dinner service in the evening; however, the bar will remain open as from 4.30-6.30pm live band Sound Factory plays music of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
12 Oct: Tim Costello Q&A
Rising Sun Inn, 60 Bridge Street, Kensington
3pm start
Tim Costello AO is one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought-after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics. For 13 years Tim was Chief Executive of World Vision Australia. He is a spokesperson and advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, which campaigns for law reform to prevent harm from poker machine and online sports gambling.
On Sunday 12th October 2025, commencing at 3pm, Tim will be speaking at a Q & A session at the Rising Sun Inn in Kensington.
This is your opportunity to meet Tim and ask him questions on world affairs, national politics, social issues, sport and anything else you like!
The Kensington Residents’ Association will be providing finger food and you can purchase drinks from the bar.
Numbers are limited, so book your FREE seat on TryBooking now https://www.trybooking.com/DEBHU
11 May: Mothers Day working bee
Since 2010 the residents of Kensington have been working together to replenish the biodiversity and beauty of Borthwick Park.
This lovely green space bounded by Thornton Street, Richmond Street, Bridge Street and Second Creek is the focus of a community-led project supported by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and Green Adelaide.
Borthwick Park working bees are held on the 2nd Sunday of every month 9-11am. Come along on Sunday 11th May and see what we get up to.
It’s Mothers Day so we’ll be mothering our young plants, tucking them into comfy beds of mulch and giving the place a good tidy up!!
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 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.
Call John for more details on 0422 909 710.
If you can’t manage the physical work, you are still most welcome to join us for morning tea from 11am. Free tea, coffee, and a delicious spread of morning tea treats on offer. We’d love to see you.
12 Mar: Sturt Candidates Forum
JOINTLY PRESENTED BY RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS OF KENSINGTON, KENT TOWN, NORWOOD & ST PETERS AND THE MAYLANDS-EVANDALE-STEPNEY COMMUNITY NETWORK GROUP
WHEN: Wednesday 12th March 2025 from 7pm
WHERE: Banquet Hall, St Peters Town Hall Complex, St Peters Street, St Peters.
WHO: An invitation has been extended to those who have already announced their candidacy. Any other candidates will also be invited to participate.
Confirmed attendees include
Dr Verity Cooper, Independent
Claire Clutterham, Labor
Katie McCusker, Greens
James Stevens, Liberal
All voters in the Federal Electorate of Sturt are welcome to attend this important meeting. You do not need to be a member of a local resident group.
Each candidate will be allowed time to canvas the local issues and to give their vision for the electorate.
The audience will then be given an opportunity to ask questions to help decide who should represent the people of Sturt in the Federal Parliament.
9 Feb: Borthwick Park working bee 🐝
Borthwick Park is nestled between Second Creek and Thornton, Richmond Street and Bridge Streets in Kensington 5068.
This lovely green space has been the focus of a community-driven revegetation project since 2009, kindly supported by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and Green Adelaide. Prior to commencement of the project the majestic remnant river red gums in the park were marooned in an expanse of kikuyu grass and the creek bank was weed-choked and badly eroded. Hard to imagine when you visit the park today!
Working bees are held on the 2nd Sunday of every month 9-11am to maintain the understorey of shrubs, vines, grasses and ground cover established over the past 15 years.
Join us in the park on Sunday 9th February between 9am and 11am. We’ll be topping up mulch to keep soil moisture in and weeds out, tip pruning shrubs, evicting pesky feral grasses, hose-watering the newer plantings… 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 – it’s going to be HOT!! Bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one or we’ll issue you with on on the day.
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.
12 & 14 Nov: Compassionate Kensington Conversations
Are you concerned your older relatives, friends or neighbours may need more support?
Do you require more assistance in your daily living? Do you need emotional support as a care-giver?
The Compassionate Kensington Conversations are for you! Everyone is invited. These are important conversations for our whole community.
Two FREE sessions on offer: Tuesday evening 12th November & Thursday morning 14th November. Details in flyer below.
💙Receive information and participate in discussions about compassionate communities;
💙Learn how to become a more compassionate neighbour or friend;
💙Discover services and supports currently available in our area;
💙Explore what ‘Compassionate Communities’ could look like within our neighbourhood.
RSVP to help with catering arrangements by clicking here or email compassionatekensington@gmail.com or phone 0424324376
19 Nov: KRA Quiz Night & AGM
The KRA Quiz Night & AGM will be held on Tuesday 19th November. Register through Trybooking to attend the quiz & AGM to help with catering via this link https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1302310 Join a table or organise your neighbours to form a table of 6 and compete for glory and prizes in the Kensington Quiz!
If you are interested in joining the 2025 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.
8 Dec: Plant & Produce Share
Plant & Produce Share in Borthwick Park, Sunday 8th November, 11.30am-12.30pm (after the working bee).
We’ll have a trading table set up under the shelter in Borthwick Park. Bring your excess potted plants, cuttings, seedlings, seeds and garden produce … whatever you have in abundance and would like to share.
Drop, swap and go… or stay for a while to meet a few locals and swap gardening tips. If you fancy, come a little earlier (11ish) and have a cuppa with the working bee volunteers 🙂
All leftover plants and produce will be left in the park shelter for passers-by to collect later.
