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December 2020 | FREE

PlayfordNews.

Festive Playford. Becoming an Australian citizen. Kindness in action. Hanneâ€™s bushfire recovery.

ACT OF KINDNESS Mayor Glenn Docherty congratulates students as part of the Playford 10 who recently created kits for essential workers at Calvary Health Care SA. See page 10 for the full story.

From the Mayor. 2020 has been a year of change for us all. Playford is a strong and resilient community and this year has been no exception. We have adapted to a new kind of normal as many of us have had to reimagine how we access and deliver services in our community. This saw the delivery of programs online through many of our community hubs including the Playford libraries, Northern Sound System and the Elizabeth Rise Community Centre. We saw services provide order and collect, or delivery services, at the Healthy Food Co. and the Grenville Hub to make sure our most vulnerable were supported and cared for. We continued to deliver our cityâ€™s foundational needs keeping our neighbourhoods clean, our roads safe, while delivering new projects promised to our community. We also engaged with you, our community, in some of the largest conversations we have had to date to help shape the future direction of our city. Through the Strategic Plan engagement and our Resident Satisfaction Survey we heard from over 2,000 people. There was a focus on things that impact our communityâ€™s everyday life, from having safe roads and a neighbourhood that looks nice to Council that talks to them more and uses money wisely. Council has a strong focus on engaging with our community to understand your experience of Council and gather feedback and insights to help measure our performance and improve service delivery. In this edition of Playford News, we celebrate the end of the year by showcasing some of the wonderful achievements and gifts of kindness made by local people, businesses and services. We are here for you, Playford community. Mayor Glenn Docherty.

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Contents. Festive Playford.

Pg. 4

Growth on the Plains.

Pg. 7

Becoming an Australian citizen.

Pg. 8

Juice box punk-pop vibes.

Pg. 9

Kindness in action.

Pg. 10

Elected Member chat.

Pg. 12

Hanne’s bushfire recovery.

Pg. 14

Sustainable road renewal.

Pg. 16

Reduce, re-use, recycle.

Pg. 17

Don’t compromise, immunise.

Pg. 18

What’s on your mind.

Pg. 21

Out and about.

Pg. 22

What’s on.

Pg. 23

EDITOR Amy Phillips PHOTOGRAPHY Amy Phillips Darren Clements Kate Hayward Roxanne Withers CONTRIBUTORS Amy Phillips Kate Hayward Katrina Nitschke Do you have a story idea? Let us know at playfordnews@playford.sa.gov.au | PAGE 3

PN. THIS IS PLAYFORD

Festive Playford. 2020 has been a tumultuous year for us all. Now more than ever, it’s important to take time to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. For many the end of year celebrations may look a little different, however it is important that we take the time to connect with family and friends to celebrate. Here’s how some of our community will be celebrating the end of 2020.

Give the gift of reading. For Daina Pocius, Heritage Coordinator at the City of Playford Library, the end of year is about sharing her passion and love of books with the community. “In 2012 a former colleague shared with me how it was common for local children to start school without ever having seen or picked up a book,” said Diana. For a book enthusiast like Daina this was inconceivable. With Christmas approaching, she had the simple idea of asking local people to donate new books to local children as Christmas presents.

Fast facts. More than 6,000 books have been donated since 2012. The initiative has received three awards: •

Local Government Award for Leadership Excellence Awards 2014

•

Playford Local Hero Award for Leadership in Community Services 2014

•

Jim Crawford Award for Innovation for Libraries 2014

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“We decided to partner with Anglicare who already provide support and gift hampers to the local community,” said Daina. “Anglicare were able to add a book to their existing hampers. From here, Give the Gift of Reading was born.” Give the Gift of Reading is now in its ninth year. Since 2012 six metropolitan libraries in South Australia have joined the campaign. “We continue to run the initiative because we believe it does make a difference,” said Daina. “Reading can change people’s lives. It opens doors – to imagination, a world you may not be able to physically access but you can through a book.” Brand new books can be donated until Tuesday, 15 December at the Playford Civic Centre and Stretton Centre libraries.

Family connections. Jazmine Glancey, proud Yarrabah descendent and Playford volunteer, will be focusing on family connections as 2020 draws to an end. December is all about celebration and coming together as a family for Jazmine. “It’s a particularly special month as my three boys are all born in December,” said Jazmine. “It is also when my parents passed away, which serves as a reminder on the importance of family.” The end of year is also about setting new goals for herself, and her family. “It’s important for me to build myself up as a positive role model for my boys, especially as my eldest son has just started an apprenticeship.” On Christmas Day Jazmine celebrates over a shared lunch with close friends, where everyone contributes to the meal. “Christmas isn’t about materialistic things, it’s about love, family connections and family traditions, both new and old,” said Jazmine.

Keeping active. While Mitchal and Makayla like their downtime at the end of the school year, don’t be fooled by these two pocket rockets. Mitchal, 10, who is part of the Playford 10 program at Elizabeth Grove Primary School is looking forward to celebrating the school holidays by doing what he enjoys most. “My favourite thing to do at the end of year is play video games and tennis on the weekends,” he said. Mitchal has recently joined the Playford Tennis Club after trying his hand at the game through sporting activities held at Spruance Reserve. “I have been practicing my forehands and backhands,” he said. Much like her older brother, Makayla, 9, likes to spend her school holidays playing games and participating in little athletics. “I like running, throwing, jumping, exercising,” she said. The pair also enjoy spending time with family either at home or visiting regional SA. “Sometimes we go away to Millicent for Christmas to see our Aunt and Uncle or they come here,” they said. Their family tradition is strong with “a group photo by the Christmas tree and presents” every year. | PAGE 5

CHRISTMAS DAY VOLUNTEERS Colin and Angie look forward to volunteering each year at the Grenville Christmas lunch, “it’s our highlight of the year.”

Christmas at Grenville. Colin Moyle and Angie Goldsmith have spent the past seven years supporting the Grenville Hub Christmas Lunch for socially isolated and vulnerable people, and 2020 will be no different. According to Angie it was Colin’s idea to initially volunteer, after learning about the lunch while volunteering with the northern adult mental health service, Club 84. “He thought it would be a great way to give back, making Christmas day special for others, while spending time together,” said Angie. “Now I can’t imagine Christmas without it.” For Angie and Colin, it’s seeing young children’s faces light-up, hearing them laugh and be greeted by Santa that makes it so rewarding. It’s also watching everyone enjoy the two-course lunch, receive their raffle prizes and be one as a community. “We think it’s amazing that this lunch is available for isolated or vulnerable people on Christmas Day,” Angie said. “They can forget whatever else is happening in the world, come together and enjoy the day as one community.” Angie and Colin are passionate advocates for volunteering as a way to give back, develop new skills and meet new people. “As Ngarrindjeri/Narungga people we are proud to give back and positively represent our mob, and we actively encourage others in our community to do the same.” Attendees of the lunch receive a complimentary gift thanks to donations from the community. To donate or volunteer, call the Grenville Hub on 8256 0377. PAGE 6 | playford.sa.gov.au

Christmas lunch. The lunch has been held each Christmas since 2011. 950 socially isolated and vulnerable community members have attended the lunch since 2011. 20 volunteers support the lunch each year.

Growth on the Plains.

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Chris Musolino, Managing Director of Healthy Heart Produce is a third-generation farmer on the Northern Adelaide Plains, following in the footsteps of his father Gino, and grandfather Tom who established T. Musolino & Co. According to Chris becoming a farmer was a natural progression after completing school. “During the school holidays I would work on the farm alongside my brothers, and cousins so it was natural that this was what we were going to do, however we have each put our own stamp on the business.” In 2016 Chris put his mark on the family business, diversifying into the production, packaging and distribution of innovative vegetable rice, primarily cauliflower and sweet potato rice through Healthy Heart Produce. The inspiration to diversify came to Chris while visiting his sister-in-law. “I arrived to find Katrina in the kitchen surrounded by an absolute mess,” After learning that she was making cauliflower rice, Chris said to her, “imagine if I could take the mess out of cauliflower rice by making it ready-to-go.” This inspiration lead to a simple to use and healthy product that is now distributed nationally and throughout South East Asia. Recently Healthy Heart Produce received more than $500,000 from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions for the development of a new climate-controlled food processing facility which will create ten new jobs. “The facility will enable us to cut and process in-house instead of contracting out and provides local industry an opportunity to process their oversupply locally,” said Chris. Chris worked closely with the City of Playford’s economic development hub, the Stretton Centre, to apply for the grant. “The Stretton Centre has been amazing, without their support there is no way we would have received this funding,” Chris said. “They have been instrumental in realising my ideas over the years.”

For business support connect with the Stretton Centre by visiting strettoncentre.com.au or calling 8254 4666

| PAGE 7

Our citizens. More than 250 new citizens were conferred by the City of Playford in 2020. Top three birth countries of new citizens: • Afghanistan • United Kingdom • Pakistan Playford’s next Australian citizenship ceremony will be held on Australia Day, 26 January 2021.

Becoming an Australian citizen. Fille Tuyishime and son Prince Nkurunziza of Elizabeth Downs have a lot to celebrate as 2020 draws to an end. Almost five years ago Fille began the process to become an Australian citizen for herself and Prince. In September, Fille was the first Playford citizen to be conferred through a digital ceremony. “I went home to my country of birth, Rwanda, in early February and because of the pandemic was only able to return to Australia on 13 September,” she said. “So, my citizenship ceremony was a little different to others, it was held over Microsoft Teams as I was in quarantine and I was also 36 weeks pregnant.” Fille says it feels good to be an Australian citizen as it gives her family a sense of belonging. “I am allowed to participate in elections like others, travel more freely and there are more job opportunities available to you when you’re a citizen.” Fille and Prince received their citizenship certificate on Prince’s tenth birthday. “Prince was very excited to become an Australian citizen because in the future he will be able to travel to Rwanda with me, without an Australian passport it wasn’t safe for him to join me,” said Fille. Prince and Fille have been residents of Playford since they arrived in Australia on 14 August 2013. “I like living in the area as everything you need is close by and easily accessible,” says Fille. “The shopping centre is only a seven-minute drive and we are close to public transport and a major hospital.” PAGE 8 | playford.sa.gov.au

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Juice box punk-pop vibes. “We have developed our own genre called juice box punk-pop. We are more punk than pop, that’s why it’s punk-pop, and the juice box is because it’s vibes for younger people.” And young Australians agree, these two inspiring musicians are being nationally recognised for bringing all those feel-good music vibes. Cahli Blaker and Tahlia Borg make up the duo Teenage Joans, who took out triple j’s Unearthed High in 2020. The pair took out the top spot against 1,700 submissions from across Australia with their song Three Leaf Clover. “It has been amazing, insane and we are just over the moon,” Cahli said. “It was so hectic, I had just finished my pyschology trial exam and then this video popped up on screen saying we had won and two hours later I was still in shock,” Tahlia said. Both Cahli and Tahlia have been part of the Northern Sound System (NSS) community for several years through work experience opportunities and programs such as N1 Records. The pair met thanks to NSS’ Creative Cultural Facilitator, Nick O’Connor, who connected the two artists when Cahli was in search for a drummer. “I owe all of the starting of Teenage Joans career to NSS, we learnt and did everything here at the start,” Cahli said. “NSS is good because it provides young kids in the community access to things they may not have at school or at home, and you feel safe and are able to express yourself without judgement.” These are two faces to watch out for as they take the juice box punk-pop genre by storm. “We are working on new music and we’ve have been writing a lot, new recordings and beautiful visual content,” the pair said. If you, or someone you know, is a young creative find out what the Northern Sound System has to offer at northernsoundsystem.com.au or call 8255 5560.

TEENAGE JOANS Tahlia and Cahli, crowned triple j’s Unearthed High winners in 2020.

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Kindness in action. Students from Elizabeth Grove and Elizabeth Vale primary schools have been creating nurture kits to show essential workers how much they value their contribution through the Playford 10 Kindness in Action Project. Esther and Hader, along with their class at Elizabeth Vale Primary School, have been making stickers, bookmarks, lanyards and Aboriginal dreamtime picture frames to be placed inside the kits. “My message to the nurses and the team at Calvary is to thank them for everything they’ve done for us, keep up the good work and keep your head up,” Esther said. “I would like to thank the nurses for saving people’s lives,” Hader added. Elizabeth Grove Primary School students, Jacob and Shaynell, added trinket boxes, coasters, bracelets, and a hit amongst the Calvary Health Care staff - a joke book - to the nurture kits. “Nurses have done so much during COVID and throughout their whole working experience,” Jacob said. “Thank you for helping us and for delivering babies,” Shaynell added. The volunteer project, developed in partnership with the City of Playford, Calvary Health Care South Australia and the Rotary Club of Adelaide, aims to highlight the importance of the health industry to children, as well as to give students an insight into potential health careers. Mission Integration Co-coordinator at Calvary Health Care SA, Belinda Chapman said the project had already achieved many positive outcomes, by drawing together community groups to acknowledge and support our healthcare workers. PAGE 10 | playford.sa.gov.au

“It really does touch the heart of our staff when receiving the nurture kits,” Belinda said. “The nurture kits have allowed the students to be welcomed into our healthcare community and understand how we work. The project has also educated our staff to the special work that’s done to mentor children in the northern suburbs, so it’s very rewarding.” Playford 10 Manager, Ali Elder, said the annual program has great benefits to children from 10 years of age, in understanding the value of service to the community. “Playford 10 is about connecting children to ongoing activities, with volunteering being a key component of this,” Ms Elder said. “We know that providing 10-year-olds with these opportunities will have positive outcomes in their future learning and contribution to the community.”

Fast facts. The Playford 10 program has expanded from 45 students in 2018 to 175 in 2020. Playford 10 has two streams of activities including: •

After-school: drama, art, circus, tennis, gaming and boxing

•

Sporting clubs: rugby union and league, tennis, little athletics and soccer

Playford 10 works with 15 partner organisations across the fields of sports, volunteering and the Arts, as well as State and Federal Government agencies.

| PAGE 11

PN. YOUR MAYOR & COUNCILLORS

Elected Member chat. Q: What is your proudest community achievement in 2020?

Ward One.

Buckland Park, Waterloo Corner, Virginia, Eyre, Penfield Gardens, MacDonald Park, Andrews Farm and Smithfield Plains; and parts of the suburbs of Angle Vale (to the west of the Northern Expressway) and Edinburgh North.

The proudest moment for me is being able to utilise the upgraded Fremont Park playspace with my daughter. Having a wheelchair bound daughter makes it difficult to experience basic things most people take for granted, now we can enjoy the park like everyone else. Cr Cathy-Jo Tame | 0478 283 875 crcjtame@playford.sa.gov.au

Ward Two.

My proudest moments from 2020 come from how the community and Council have worked positively together through COVID-19, keeping services running, building community spirit and supporting each other. Mayor Glenn Docherty 0413 219 868 mayordocherty@playford.sa.gov.au

I am proud to have witnessed many acts of generosity during COVID-19. From the community being there for others to help them with their mental health, or giving in the form of money or food hampers. The Playford community has been unbelievable during this time. Cr Peter Rentoulis (Deputy Mayor) 0417 016 146 crarentoulis@playford.sa.gov.au

Being part of a Council that is focused on delivering increased and improved core foundational services to the broader Playford community. For instance, increasing transparency through live streaming and Councillor engagements. Cr Clint Marsh | 0478 283 874 crcmarsh@playford.sa.gov.au

Munno Para Downs, Munno Para West, Munno Para and Smithfield; and parts of the suburbs of Blakeview and Angle Vale (to the east of the Northern Expressway).

Seeing Council retain its focus to maintain business as usual during the pandemic. In particular, Grenville Hub is almost complete, community engagement on our Strategic Plan and engagement with Ward 2 residents. Cr Jane Onuzans | 0432 251 207 creonuzans@playford.sa.gov.au

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Iâ€™m proud of the Administration and staff for maintaining a business as usual approach during the pandemic, and the manner in which our community as a whole assisted in getting to the point we are now. Cr Stephen Coppins | 0478 283 876 crscoppins@playford.sa.gov.au

Being able to attend Council meetings and continuing to represent residents during the very difficult months behind us, and joining several Councillors at Smithfield Memorial Park to honour Anzac Day. Cr Gay Smallwood-Smith 0417 016 163 crgsmallwoodsmith@playford.sa.gov.au

Ward Three.

Craigmore, Hillbank, Gould Creek, One Tree Hill, Sampson Flat, Humbug Scrub, Uleybury, Yattalunga and Bibaringa.

I was pleased to welcome new Australian citizens at a Playford Citizenship Ceremony. It was great to join friends from the local community and to celebrate with them on their special day. Cr Andrew Craig | 0417 016 160 cracraig@playford.sa.gov.au

Ward Four.

The opportunity to be part of Council during the development of the Draft Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and seeing the recording of Council and Committee meetings being implemented from the November 2020 meeting cycle. Cr David Kerrison | 0478 283 879 crdkerrison@playford.sa.gov.au

Davoren Park, Elizabeth North, Elizabeth, Elizabeth South and Elizabeth Vale; and part of the suburb of Edinburgh North.

Watching the development of the allinclusive Fremont Park upgrade for our residents and seeing the joy on children’s faces who have not previously been able to participate is my proudest community achievement for 2020. Cr Marilyn Baker | 0418 836 685 crmbaker@playford.sa.gov.au

Ward Five.

Reading feedback from the broader community surveys regarding frontline support provided by Playford’s Customer Contact team to residents during this challenging year has confirmed to me that we as a community are always prepared to help when in need. Cr Veronica Gossink | 0478 283 878 crvgossink@playford.sa.gov.au

My proudest community achievement of 2020 is watching the new Grenville Hub grow and develop in Playford CBD and being able to stay connected with my local community via social media platforms. Cr Katrina Stroet | 0466 941 362 crkstroet@playford.sa.gov.au

COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it. With great health advice and support to our businesses, sporting clubs and residents through City of Playford, we will get through this together. Cr Dennis Ryan | 0417 016 167 crdryan@playford.sa.gov.au

Elizabeth Downs, Elizabeth Park, Elizabeth East and Elizabeth Grove; and part of the suburb of Blakeview.

Keeping the community informed and connected during COVID19 restrictions. We had staff and Councillors calling residents to ensure they were ok and providing meal deliveries. The Anzac Day Driveway Vigil and smaller Citizenship Ceremonies were also able to take place. Cr Misty Norris | 0478 283 882 crmnorris@playford.sa.gov.au

The connections Council and community were able to establish despite the pandemic. For instance, how we supported the elderly and vulnerable members of our community maintain connections through services such as the Grenville Hub’s delivery of frozen and fresh meals. Cr Shirley Halls | 0419 866 872 crshalls@playford.sa.gov.au

The completion of Fremont Park stage 2 redevelopment was an important project for our community. It’s great to see families enjoy the outdoor activities at our major park. Cr Akram Arifi | 0431 609 531 craarifi@playford.sa.gov.au

| PAGE 13

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A FAMILY FARM Hanne and her husband, Adam, are focused on their future and staying bushfire ready.

Hanne’s bushfire recovery. This is Hanne, Council’s Injury Management and Wellbeing Co-ordinator. Hanne and her family suffered significant loss in the Sampson Flat fires. Retelling the story five years on is still difficult, but she wants to share how important it is to stay vigilant about fire preparation – which is an ‘all year round’ undertaking. The fires blazed over two weeks in the heat of early January 2015. Hanne’s family lost all of their belongings which were packed into boxes from their recent relocation to Kersbrook when the shed went up. Thankfully the old fibro house slated for demolition to make way for their new home was relatively unscathed. The community immediately rallied and volunteers kept the world turning for Hanne, her family, and for everyone affected by the fire. The local footy club ran barbecues for every meal and gathered donations of basic necessities, pet food and more flooded in. “Everyone pulled together and supported each other… we would have been completely lost without them,” Hanne said. Dedicated friends came every weekend for two years to help re-build fences and continue to clear the property of fallen wood and debris. According to Hanne, “the sound of chainsaws rang out through Kersbrook for months,” as property owners felled burned trees and chopped them up. Looking at the idyllic green property now, it’s hard to imagine the devastation the fire left behind it. Hanne and her family have just finished building their new home,

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four years later than anticipated, and are in the middle of tearing down the old fibro house which saw them through the aftermath of the fire. The new house has been built with every fire-proofing measure in mind, and keeping the property clear of undergrowth, fallen trees and branches is an ongoing labour of love. Hanne is forever grateful to the people who helped them get back on their feet and who continue to support them during the many years of recovery and rebuild. “We have learned that volunteers, and a community of people supporting each other, are without a shadow of over-statement, life-saving,” Hanne said. Hanne is quick to point out that “fire preparation is absolutely imperative for all of us - expect the best, but prepare for the worst.”

Talk to us. Hanne’s story is a timely reminder to clean up our properties to reduce their fire risk. Playford’s Fire Prevention Officer is here to make sure our community is protected from the risk of a fire. To contact our Fire Prevention Officer, call Dave Watson on 8256 0333. South Australian Country Fire Service tips - for invaluable advice on fire prevention and preparation, and creating a bushfire plan visit: cfs.sa.gov.au

| PAGE 15

PN. WE ARE HERE

ROAD RENEWAL Project Manager Matthew on the completed Robert Road, Penfield.

Sustainable road renewal. Roads are one of our key assets in Playford, with over 832km of sealed and 66km of unsealed roads under Council management. When planning for any major road renewal project we look for new ways to optimise sustainable practices. For the Robert Road upgrade, two methods were employed which use environmental waste to create a road with greater longevity than standard roads.

Crushing it When upgrading city infrastructure, like footpaths, kerbing, old bus pads or concrete pipes, we often need to remove the old to install the new. The old concrete has to go somewhere. Over the last 15 years we’ve stockpiled approximately 45,000 tonnes of broken concrete slabs adjacent to Robert Road. Now thanks to an innovative new project with Boral Asphalt, Remo Contractors and Adelaide Resource Recovery, that stockpile has been put to use. By crushing the concrete into rubble, we’ve converted this waste material to re-usable road sub-base and laid it under the recently upgraded Robert Road. This has the significant environmental benefit of not only removing the stockpiled eyesore, but turning it into a resource.

A crumby solution Another ongoing environmental issue is the difficulties disposing of old tyres - but there are growing uses for this scrap rubber. By breaking down tyres and ‘crumbing’ them, the rubber has various practical uses, such as sports field underlays or synthetic sport surfaces. In the Robert Road upgrade we’ve turned this scrap rubber into a useful product, using it as a filler to blend with bitumen spray seal. Originally trialled in the mid-seventies, this method is particularly good at inhibiting cracking, and has proven to have exceptional performance in our extreme Australian conditions. Our project partner, Boral, resurfaced up to 6km of Robert Road, which used the equivalent of almost 350 truck tyres previously destined for landfill. Just imagine as you drive over Robert Road next time, that you may be driving over footpaths you once walked on, or on tyres that once drove on our roads. PAGE 16 | playford.sa.gov.au

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Reduce, re-use and recycle. Meet Kristie from Blakeview. She is passionate about the three R’s –reduce, re-use, recycle. Every day, in so many simple ways, Kristie is making a personal contribution to saving our environment. We hope you can take some inspiration from her lead. Here are some of Kristie’s tips for the festive season and everyday: •

Avoid wrapping paper: try colourful fabric and re-usable ribbon to wrap any gifts, or use gift bags you’ve been storing.

•

Gift experiences: give gift cards for movies, or adventures that can be enjoyed with family or friends rather than buying another ‘thing’ which will eventually need to be discarded.

•

Fix it: all gifts don’t have to be new. Hand make something, or buy second-hand and refurbish. The kid’s cubby house pictured was purchased on Marketplace and carpeted and repainted by Kristie – it’s as good as new!

•

Cut festive food waste: have everyone bring a dish for Christmas meal, then divide up the leftovers and send it home with your family to eat over the next few days.

•

Spring clean in January: when the tree comes down, go through the house and clean. Dispose of unwanted toys and household good by donating anything useful to second-hand stores, and book a hard waste collection for anything that isn’t salvageable.

•

Meal plan and shop: prepare around planned family activities.

•

Take reusable bags: be sure to bring reusable or mesh bags for fruit and vegetables to the supermarket. Avoid buying plastic packaged products.

•

Eat the fridge: whatever food remains in the fridge on the night before shopping, create a pot luck meal out of it and start with an empty fridge ready to re-stock.

For more Kristie tips and some great advice on how to organise your ‘bin life’ go online to playford.sa.gov.au/recycle-with-kristie

RECYCLING Kristie at the refurbished cubby house which was purchased second-hand.

| PAGE 17

PROTECTING PLAYFORD Dianne and the Immunisation Team keep our community protected against diseases, administering immunisations to the general community, school students, worksites and new arrivals.

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Don’t compromise, immunise If COVID-19 has shown us anything, it’s how important vaccines are in keeping our community protected against disease. While the world still awaits a COVID-19 vaccine, the City of Playford Immunisation Service continues to provide protection to the community for a range of other potentially life-altering diseases. The City of Playford’s Immunisation Team has a combined 30 years’ experience, with the Community Health Nurse administering immunisations for over 16 years alone. Our nurse is supported by Marg and Dianne in administration, who are passionate about their work. “There is no need in our country to be suffering from polio, whooping cough and other diseases when we can vaccinate against them,” said Dianne. In the last financial year, up to 8,500 people were immunised through the service. “We’ve been extra busy giving flu shots and our usual clinic vaccines,” said Marg. While the lockdown during COVID-19 saw less immunisations administered than the previous year, outbreaks of immunisable communicable diseases were down to less than 850 in the community - just over half of the previous year. “We believe the social distancing protocols and lockdown have definitely lowered transmission rates,” our Community Health Nurse said. The team works within schools and provides privately booked worksite vaccination clinics. The worksite sessions are usually booked for flu vaccines, and are often taken up by school teachers and support staff, as well as other local businesses. Council’s public clinics are conducted twice weekly on Mondays at GP Plus Healthcare Elizabeth, and Thursdays at UniHealth Munno Para. The team also provides a specialised New Arrivals and Refugee Immunisation (NARI) clinic on the third Wednesday of the month, which deals with more complex cases, as some families arrive from countries where vaccine access is limited or non-existent. Our Immunisation Team are here to support you, so if you’re due for a vaccine, don’t wait – drop-in and have a chat with our friendly team. To find out more information on vaccines available and clinic schedules visit: playford.sa.gov.au/dont-compromise-immunise or call 8256 0333.

| PAGE 19

End of year closure. Over the festive season there will be changes to our standard business hours, as some of our workforce takes time to reset in preparation for another big year ahead. We hope you enjoy celebrating the festive season, taking some time to relax and re-connect with friends and family. And if you’re working, we thank you for keeping the world turning for the rest of us.

Service closures. Council offices | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021 Customer Care | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021 Community Passenger Network | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021 Elizabeth Rise | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Reopening Monday 11 January 2021 Healthy Food Co | Closed from Thursday, 24 December | Re-opening on Monday, 11 January 2021

Grenville Hub | Limited services from Monday, 7 December 2020 | Closed from Thursday, 17 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 11 January 2021 | Bookings essential: 8256 0377 Library Services, Civic Centre and Stretton Centre | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021 Northern Sound System | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 11 January 2021 Stretton Centre | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021 Home Assist | Closed from Thursday, 24 December 2020 | Re-opening on Monday, 4 January 2021

Contact us. Rest assured we are still here for you during the closure period. For urgent matters such as lost dogs, fallen trees or safety concerns please call 8256 0333 and our after hours service will assist you. For non-urgent matters you can lodge a Customer Service Request by clicking the ‘Online Services’ button on our website, and we will attend to your matter after 4 January 2021. Kerbside bin collection will continue as normal over the holiday period, with two exceptions. There will be no collection Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, both of these collections will occur on Saturday. Please ensure bins are out by 7am for collection. For further information call NAWMA: 8259 2100. Urgent matters: 8256 0333 | Online services: playford.sa.gov.au/PlayfordOnlineServices

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Whatâ€™s on your mind. Here are some of the most reported and searched items and frequently asked questions from our community in the past couple of months.