Happy Easter to our residents and visitors!

What a delight it was, to represent Council at the recent opening of the Puckridge Park refurbishment, alongside our funding partners the Bendigo Community Bank Port Lincoln and Rotary Club of Port Lincoln.  The refurbishment was approximately $160,000, and includes a bike pump track, and flying fox, which was a real hit with the children – even the Mayor got to take a ride!

The day was filled with entertainment from face painting to orienteering, and scavenger hunts provided by the Children’s University.  A sausage sizzle by Rotarians and the Royal Flying Doctor Services donuts rounded out a great lunch-time opening.  Special thanks to Council staff and the lead contractor, Elton Landscapes, for their work creating the upgrade, and to the Bendigo Bank for providing children’s entertainment on the day also.

Projects like this, make me immensely proud of our community and the power that lies in collaboration between organisations.  The Rotary Club for many years have serviced Puckridge Park, named after former Mayor Mr Percival Puckridge who served from 1954-1967, and whose ashes are interred at the site.  The Park includes a tribute to former President’s of the Rotary Club.  If you haven’t been to Puckridge Park for a little while, I highly recommend a visit, to share in the beauty and rest a while in the natural surroundings.  I quote from the Port Lincoln Times on Thursday 7 September, 1972 – “The cleaning up of the area which has been carried out by the council over past months has shown what could be made of the area if it were developed as a park for native trees and shrubs.  It represents a challenge and an opportunity to create a place of beauty probably unequalled in South Australia.”

On International Women’s Day this year, I was privileged to be invited by Regional Commander Stephen Boucher to attend the CFS Region 6 Headquarters, which included meeting the ladies in the local team, Chrissy, Tina, Diana and Kylie and learning about their varied roles.  It was also great to hear about initiatives to attract young volunteers, see the hardworking retired volunteers, all working together, to keep our region safe.

The Command Centre was a hive of activity with modern technology, and the water bombing aircraft and Blackhawk helicopter, are such important assets to have residing in Port Lincoln during the peak fire danger season.  With Council, we will continue advocating for a doppler radar for more accurate weather forecasting and measurement, large capacity water storage at the airport, and native vegetation bushfire mitigation measures.  If you interested in volunteering, the CFS encourage you to join them!

A sensational night of fundraising was held recently for Ronald McDonald House SA and Matthew Flinders Nursing Home, where over $200,000 was raised through the Treasure Life Ride across the Eyre Peninsula!  An amazing effort and such inspiring organisers and riders.  Some of the statistics on users of the House are just gut-wrenching, including one of Port Lincoln’s own children Bodhi, who has been at the House a record 283 days.  One can only imagine the anguish Bodhi’s family go through and our prayers are with them all, and the other users of the House.  A short movie of the ride highlights was shown, and dedicated to the memory of Mr David Forbes, who was instrumental in the original setup of the ride.  The ride and event is a credit to all involved, and on behalf of the users of Ronald McDonald House, and Matthew Flinders Nursing Home, our community thanks you!

There are many great people and organisations doing wonderful things in and around Port Lincoln, and if you have an event or story to share, please reach out, and let me know.

Please stay well and travel safely this Easter, and take the time to rest, enjoy family activities, and I wish you many good blessings this Easter season.