THIS EVENT IS RUN ANNUALLY BY BIRD CONSERVATION CHARITY BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA

The Aussie Bird Count is an all-ages activity that involves observing and counting the birds that live near you in your garden, the local park, at the beach or in the city centre. Your 20 minute survey helps BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of local birds and you get to know the feathery friends of your neighbourhood. You can count multiple times or multiple locations this week if you want.

Why count now? Spring is the season when birds are more lively and visible. Thousands of migrant birds return to our shores in spring as well. For these reasons it is also National Bird Week, a tradition that started back in the early 1900s.

It’s best to count the birds from one spot for 20 minutes and see how many you can observe from where you’re standing or sitting. Birdlife Australia recommend counting within a (maximum) 80m radius or an area of approximately 100m x 200m. There’s an Aussie Bird Count app to help you complete your 20 minute survey or you can enter your data online. There’s a handy bird finder on the Birds In Backyards site to help ID the birds you see.

Have a go at some citizen science this week and let us know via contact@kra.org.au if you see an unusual bird in Kensington.

THIS IS A SAINT IGNATIUS CATHOLIC PARISH (NORWOOD) EVENT

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
BORTHWICK PARK, THORNTON STREET KENSINGTON
SUNDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2022 at 11.30 am

Kensington residents are welcome to join in the blessing service. In the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, who called all animals his brothers and sisters, this is a chance to thank God for the gifts of animals in our lives. We ask for a blessing for pets that comfort us, delight us and give us companionship, and give thanks for the insects, birds, bats and possums who call Borthwick Park home.

Bring your pet, rug and/ or chairs.

You are invited to join us at the High Street Café for coffee or lunch at your own expense following the blessing. The café next to the Mary MacKillop Museum is a short walk from Borthwick Park and is pet friendly.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ST IGNATIUS NORWOOD PARISH 8332 0600

THIS IS A CO-HOSTED NORWOOD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION & KENSINGTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EVENT.

Ballot papers for the local council elections will arrive in letterboxes from 14th October. It’s important to consider the candidates you think will best represent you and our wonderful suburb of Kensington. There are 3 candidates for Mayor, listed on the Electoral Commission site as Tracy Marsh, Susan Litchfield and Robert Bria. For 2 Ward Councillor vacancies for Kensington/East Norwood we have 3 candidates running, listed on the SAEC site (far right of page under “Kensington/East Norward Ward”) as Roberts Seals, Christel Mex and John Callisto.

Ballots must be returned to Council by 9th November 2022. Get your ballot in the post early to meet the deadline or hand deliver to Town Hall on the Parade, Norwood where a ballot box will be available.

Residents are invited to attend a “Meet the Candidates” event at the Bethany Centre, Mary MacKillop Precinct, 4 High Street Kensington on Thursday 7th October, 7pm start. Each candidate will be allowed time for a short presentation followed by question time. At the close of formalities tea, coffee and light supper will be served, giving you a chance to speak directly to candidates and catch up with other locals. Phone Ian Radbone 0402 965 929 for more information.

Our next Borthwick Park working bee is set for Sunday 9th October, 9-11am.

Can’t manage the physical work? Not to worry, just join us for a cuppa from 10.30am. The KRA Committee prepare tea, coffee, and a delicious spread of morning tea treats… if we’re VERY lucky Elaine will bring one of her world-famous carrot cakes for all to enjoy. We’d love to see you!

The mulch pile was MIA* in September so likely we’ll be shoveling, barrowing and spreading mulch on 9th October and sorting out the cheeky weeds that pop up as the warmer weather awakens their seed bank. Jobs for all. Bring your neighbours, bring the kids.

Tools provided for use. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one (we will issue you with one on the day if need be).

*missing in action

THIS EVENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE KENSINGTON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

From 4pm in Borthwick Park on Sunday 16th October 2022 …last day of the school holidays… PIZZA IN THE PARK IS BACK!

The good folk at PGH Pavers have agreed to let us use their mobile pizza oven again for our annual pizza party. The KRA committee and friends will be making, cooking and serving wood-fired pizzas in Borthwick Park FREE for KRA members.

Registration is essential. Email your attendee numbers and any dietary requirements to our Secretary at contact@kra.org.au. BYO drinks, picnic chairs/rugs and hats, as well as plates, cups and cutlery if you think you’ll want them.

The new creekbank nature play area will be officially ‘opened’ during the Pizza in the Park event. Have you taken your kids, grandkids, friends or dogs down to check out this great local place space yet?

Our next Borthwick Park working bee is happening on Sunday 11th September, 9-11am, come rain, hail or shine! Delicious morning tea provided by the KRA Committee at the close of activities ~10.30am-11am.

Likely we’ll be continuing with topping up the mulch cover where bare earth has been exposed by recent work. Good chance there will be more weeds to pull up. Jobs for all. Bring your neighbours, bring the kids.

Tools provided for use. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one (we will issue you with one on the day if need be).

Volunteers are required to be KRA members for insurance purposes. You can renew your membership at the working bee and new residents can join on the spot for just $15/household/year.

Join neighbours and friends at the Borthwick Park working bee on Sunday 14th August between 9am and 11am. After three successful planting sessions during July, our attention now turns to weed removal and mulching. The fantastic wood chip mulch supplied by Council is vitally important to suppress those pesky weeds and help the soil retain as much winter moisture as possible.

All welcome. Tools provided for use. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring your KRA volunteer vest if you have one (we will issue you with one on the day if need be). Volunteers are required to be KRA members for insurance purposes. Membership is only $15/household/year. You can join or renew your membership at the working bee.

Delicious morning tea provided at the close of activities ~10.30am-11am

THIS IS A S.A. DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION EVENT

Marryatville Primary School (M.P.S.) in Dankel Avenue, Kensington, is hosting COVID vaccination clinics in July 2022:

For school students and their families 12.00pm to 5.00pm on Friday 29 July; and

For the general community 10.00am to 4.30pm on Saturday 30 July.

The clinics are walk-in only, no bookings.

Consent must be provided to the vaccination provider on the day. Students and people under 16 years of age can only be vaccinated with a parent or legal guardian present.

See the DfE website for more details. Other schools are also hosting clinics, some at different times to M.P.S.

Our second Borthwick Park Planting day for 2022 will be held on Sunday 10th July.

Join us 9am-12.30pm as we add diversity to beautiful Borthwick Park by planting lots of young grasses, groundcovers and climbers around the shrubs we planted last weekend.

Tasks for all ages – planting, installing plant guards, mulching, watering;

Training provided to ensure our baby plants get the best possible start in the ground;

Supervised nature-oriented craft activities for kids;

Morning tea mid-morning;

Barbeque lunch after the planting session, including salads, and vego & vegan options;

Toilets available for use during the event.

The Dog’s Breakfast is on again! From 8am on the 26th of June in Borthwick Park.

BBQ’d sausages for the dogs provided, around 9am.

Humans can bring a plate (or other needs) to share.

Call/SMS Karloskar on 0418 800 305 for further information if required.