News Bites
Scams Awareness Week
Link to Scamwatch, an Australian Government site: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au
Good Luck, Kayla!
The Leader Aug 27th
Mt Pleasant Book Club takes off!
From the Facebook Group page: Hello and welcome! This group is for anyone in the Mount Pleasant, Birdwood (and surrounding) areas who loves reading, wants to meet new people, and enjoys a good chat over a cuppa (or a glass of wine 🍷😉) and a good meal
Whether you're a lifelong book lover, just getting back into reading, or looking for a bit of “me time” – you’re in the right place. Mums, non-mums, all are welcome! Depending on interest, we may run one general group or have separate mums and general groups.
We’re planning to meet monthly, starting in Mount Pleasant, most likely on weekends to suit different schedules. We’re also exploring great local venues like Robber’s Dog Distillery, The Fold Birdwood, Totness Inn, Mount Pleasant Hotel, the local library, and maybe even the Town Hall (if bookings work out).
The vibe will be super relaxed – no pressure to finish every book – and we’ll be reaching out to the library to access book sets for the group too.
Feel free to introduce yourself, share your favourite genres, and let us know what days/times work best for you. Can’t wait to read, laugh, and connect with you all! 💛📖
Here is the link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1786435182296894
Talent Wanted
Info: 0431 328 335 - from The Courier
Remembering Tracy
An amazing turn out of people who wanted to support Tracy’s family, and to remember a wonderful, funny, caring friend, relative, workmate….
Latest Oval news
It’s almost like Rex’s Croc is checking out the talent! Good crowd at the footy on Saturday 16th - like old times!
Great crowd at the footy last weekend.
For a transcript of the article, please click on the photo. The Courier - 6th August - by Fin Dunford
Vintage Music your bag?
(UPDATED 6 August) From time to time we receive information regarding events that are not quite in our district, but that others may find interesting. If you click on the picture above, you will find a link to a file that lists the when and where’s for several upcoming Music Fairs, up to may 26. Some dates to be confirmed, but if you search for them, you may find more info.
C.F.S. Information
Think before you bin!
Did you know lithium-ion batteries can cause fires if thrown in household bins? Avoid disaster with these simple steps:
Contact your local council for approved battery recycling locations
Never dispose of batteries in industrial waste, household waste or regular recycling
Always take batteries to an approved drop-off location
Knowing the ABCDs isn't just smart—it's essential for your safety https://ow.ly/mY6s50WnrXP
Thank you William Pocock - MP CFS
FFU - not a dirty word!
Since the beginning of CFS, and well before, the farm firefighting community has provided a quick response to the early stages of a fire, the active firefighting during blazes, and the continued monitoring after emergency services have handed properties back to their owners.
Regional Capability Community Fund Round 4 (2025-2026)
The Regional Capability Community Fund (RCCF) has been established to improve community safety and capability to respond to fire emergencies. The RCCF will reimburse between $300 to $5,000 (GST inclusive) to farmers and farming businesses to purchase equipment to support the safe use of Farm Fire Units (FFU).
Additionally, in Round 4 the fund will reimburse approved water tank purchases or a portion of a purchase up to $10,000 (including GST). This will allow for the purchase of a minimum 22,000L tank, fire service fittings, and other items such as stands and pipe fittings dedicated to firefighting to support preparedness and resilience in areas where water access for firefighting is currently difficult, and there is a need for more water.
https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/plan-prepare/business-farms/farm-fire-units/
Southern Barossa Business Awards
Major Sponsors: Robbers Dog Distillery, Ministry of Beer and 1837 Barossa.
Cellar Door/Brewery (Sponsored by Inwood Real Estate)
Winner: Robber’s Dog Distillery
Runner-up: Ministry of Beer
Club or Community Group (Sponsored by MP Ashton Hurn)
Winner: Barossa Wildlife Rescue
Runner-up: Lyndoch & District Bowling Club
Event (Sponsored by Lyndoch Grand)
Winner: Lyndoch Street Party
Runner-up: Barossa Rodeo
Hospitality Business (Sponsored by Moen Counsel – David)
Winner: The Lord Lyndoch
Runner-up: Mt Pleasant Bakery
Professional Services (Sponsored by Barossa Fun Factory)
Winner: The Ads Manager
Runner-up: Vita Nova Conveyancing
Beauty & Wellbeing (Sponsored by Lou Miranda Estate)
Winner: The Little Glamour Room
Runner-up: Styled by Gemma
Tourism (Sponsored by Barossa Shiraz Estate)
Winner: Barossa Helicopters
Runner-up: Mt Pleasant Farmers Market
Trades (Sponsored by God’s Hill Wines)
Winner: BMP Mechanical
Runner-up: Bearded Monkey Garage
Services (Sponsored by Matt’s Mowing & Contracting SA)
Winner: Lead the Way
Runner-up: Lyndoch Post Office
Retail Business (Sponsored by Ministry of Beer)
Winner: Lagana’s IGA
Runner-up: Lyndoch Motors
Accommodation (Sponsored by Robbers Dog Distillery)
Winner: Lyndoch Grand
Runner-up: Old Barossa Bakery BnB
Chemist Best Buys - ending soon!
Latest catalogue ends soon! https://pharmacybestbuys.com.au/catalogue/?
What could $5000 do for your community?
Applications are now open for the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program.
This program seeks to fund worthy projects in your community. It is open right across rural regional Australia and all regional communities are eligible to apply.
We are funding projects that will benefit the wider community and leave a legacy for the years to come. This may include items and activities such as:
- Community Programs
- Equipment and/or infrastructure material
- Events
For more information head to the website: https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com.au/about-us/nutrien-ag-solutions-community-grants-program
Click for website.
TVFC in the ‘Tiser
Footy’s back!
Echunga vs Torrens Valley - Senior Colts. It was a miserably cold day, but not a bad country footy crowd, with cars lining the edge of the oval.
Red Cross Redi Plan
MP Library - STEAM club - 2nd September
STEAM Club is a program for kids who love all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths! Join in the fun playing, creating, thinking, predicting and making at the Library.
Week 7 - Tuesday, 2 September - Sphero painting
Please note:
Free. Suitable for children aged 5+.
Bookings essential - please book one ticket per child. Bookings open 6 days prior to session start time. Please cancel your booking if you cannot attend. Please do not attend if unwell. Contact library staff to be added to the waitlist.
https://www.barossa.sa.gov.au/community-and-wellbeing/events/upcoming-events/steam-club-mount-pleasant-library
Event will be cancelled if the fire danger rating is Catastrophic.
Parents/carers, please remain in the library with your child during the session - the program is even better if grow ups join in!
MP Library - Wiggle and Wonder
A weekly program involving songs, stories, movement and play. Connect with other families while the kids learn and have fun.
For birth - 5 years. FREE! Bookings essential. Please book one ticket per child (tickets not required for parents/ caregivers). Please note: This program will be cancelled on catastrophic fire danger days
Dates: From 10:00 am - 11:00 am on Wednesdays -
3 September, 10 September, 17 September and 24 September.
1 October, 8 October, 15 October, 22 October and 29 October.
Good News - The Bright Side
ABC’s ‘The Bright Side’ newsletter, is a collection of good news stories, compiled by ABC Journalist Sabra Lane. Sabra started this during COVID, and it seems, it’s still needed, maybe even more so. You can go to the ABC site and sign up for the emails.
It might feel like there's not a lot going right in the world now. Be assured there is and that's why this newsletter exists — to remind you there are informative, inspirational and uplifting things happening in our world.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-17/
Makers Studio Hire - Spring Special
Health News
Christmas starting early!
Interested in being a smallholder at Fabrik in December? Click link for details: https://fabrik.org.au/handmade-christmas-market-fabrik-2025/
Talent Wanted
Please call Alisa Fleming on 0431 328 335 for more information.
SALA artists at the Fair
Left: Mike Painter, Sandra Keatley and Viv Liddicoat
Right: Barry Liddicoat and Joe Dennis.
The SALA artworks are on show every Saturday in August - there are some terrific pieces there - something for everybody!
https://www.salafestival.com/artfuel/program/view/11853/a-country-practice
Fleece and Fibre Fair
For more photos, please go to the Fleece and Fibre Fair page on the News menu: https://www.mtpleasantbeat.org/fleece-and-fibre-2025
Recreate Sale continues
Thank you to everyone who supported us today!!
To Kloses Foodland Birdwood for the sausages & sauces, Springton Progress Assiciation for the bread & rolls and… our amazing volunteers - Leeanne, Gill, Paul, Shelley and Ed.
And of course everyone who purchased items to support us! (some of the volunteers may have made some purchases too )
As the sale was such a success, we will continue the sale until next Saturday 16th inclusive. Spread the word…
This week is National Science Week
Celebrating science & technology
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology.
Running each year in August, it features more than 2,000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres. https://www.scienceweek.net.au
You could also check out the Citizen Science website: https://citizenscience.org.au
There’s no holding them back!
You might have seen this in The Courier in the 16th July edition. Getting closer!
From the Facebook page: “The momentum is building! Local newspapers are buzzing with the news. We're committed to giving back to our loyal customers and investing in the vibrant community we're proud to call home - Mount Pleasant. Katie and I are fully invested in this vision and excited to see the new shop . PS we don’t have Plan B. This shop is for our loyal customers. Bigger and better and no waiting on the footpath!”
Gawler Repair Cafe
Repair Cafes provide a free meeting space where community members can work with skilled volunteers to repair items that would otherwise go to waste. Our volunteers can tackle mending (clothing, textiles, heavy duty materials such as canvas, denim and leather), small electrical items, vintage HiFi equipment, general repairs (mechanical/woodwork), jewellery, dolls, and simple bike repairs like punctures. Services are provided free of charge but customers can choose to make a small donation to support the service if they wish.
Most attendees get to see a repairer straight away but coffee, tea and cake are provided to keep you occupied if you do need to wait. Click on the link to understand how Repair Cafes work: https://www.gawlerenvironmentcentre.org.au/event-gawler-repair-cafe/
SALA is here!
We collated a small brochure of local-ish SALA events - starting with three in Mt Pleasant! Click on the pictures to print. You can find copies of the SALA programme at the library, or find it online at: https://www.salafestival.com/artfuel/program
Three SALA events in Mount Pleasant. Two in Springton and one in Eden Valley - a grand day out! Palmer and Birdwood are also hosting events.
MP Loyalty - Shop Local and win!
Participating shops and businesses: https://www.mtpleasantbeat.org/mount-pleasant-loyalty-program
Community Information
For those who care for, or people who are living with Dementia
Click on photo for contact information.
Gumeracha Nurse-Led Clinic update
