After a successful pop up playgroup day held in October 2025, local parents have established an ongoing playgroup in Marino.

The playgroup is at the Marino Community Hall on Tuesdays from 10am – 11.30am.

The playgroup is free with no booking required – just turn up. There will be a Playgroups SA QR code on the day for free registration.

The 5049 Coastal Community Association supported the group in its first month while it was getting established and will continue that support in March and April 2026.

Nest Kiosk and Little Nest cafe are sponsoring the playgroup in February 2026.

Thank you to these wonderful local sponsors who are covering the cost of room hire and keeping the playgroup free for families.

In the early stage of the playgroup, toys and play items are not yet established so feel free to bring something to play with together. BYO snacks for your child(ren) – please be conscious of allergens.

The Marino Community Hall has toilets, baby change table and is a pram and wheelchair friendly venue.

Playgroup is for mums, dads, grandparents and caregivers with their babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers (aged 0-6 years). It is a great way for your child(ren) to learn about the world, make friends and develop social skills. Playgroup also gives mums, dads, grandparents and caregivers a chance to share parenting experiences. Many long-term friendships for both children and adults begin at playgroup.

Parents, grandparents and caregivers are encouraged to come along and share their ideas about how they’d like to see the playgroup be run. Volunteers to keep the playgroup going are needed – so be sure to chat with the team while you’re there about your ideas and ability to be involved (no previous experience necessary).

Local families are invited to drop in and find out more about what the playgroup offers.

The 2.7 million dollar upgrade to the Marino Railway Station has officially been completed. I would like to extend my thanks to the overwhelming support of the local residents and businesses that have offered their support during the 3 year campaign.

A special thanks goes out to the former Marino and Kingston Park Neighbourhood Watch committee members and volunteers who gave their time and dedication to this project. Without them, this would not have been possible.

The station is now fully operational with ten live CCTV cameras covering the station platform, tunnels and the Newland Ave carpark, including a 24 hour emergency phone.

Other improvements include, a information monitor, providing real-time live information, tactile markers, improved lighting throughout the station precinct and a new all weather platform structure.

I would to acknowledge Alex Dighton MP, Louise Miller Frost MP, the Honourable Minister Tom Koutsantonis and the Honourable Premier Peter Malinauskas,
for their support and assistance, including attending numerous meetings with me to implement this community safety initiative.

Finally, as a result of further community feedback, additional seating will be installed at both the southern and northern ends of the platform to accommodate mobility boarding and exit points.

Film – Madge and Bibs

6.30pm for 7pm start

Friday 21 November, 2025

Marino Community Hall, Newland Avenue.

Come and experience the wonderful new Marino Community Hall, and have the privilege of seeing Rob George’s amazing new 60 minute documentary film.

Register on Eventbrite

AGM

A brief AGM will be held at 7pm to present our 2025 Annual Report and Financial Report, and to elect your Committee members for 2026.

Here is a copy of our draft 2024 AGM Minutes. A small number of copies will be available on the night.

As always, we are keen to welcome new Committee members to assist us with our work. If you would like to nominate please complete the nomination form and submit it to info@5049coastalcommunity.com by Friday 24 October.

If you wish to speak about nomination, please call our President David Cruickshanks-Boyd on 0412 844 188.

Madge and Bibs and the Advancing Girls

Madeline Rees George was at the forefront of a revolution in women’s education that changed the world. She was the long-serving Headmistress at the very progressive Advanced School for Girls and an indomitable figure in the colony.

Moving between re-enactments of letters and newspaper interviews, personal anecdotes and interviews with leading historians and the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency, Frances Adamson, “Madge and Bibs and the Advancing Girls” paints an entertaining, engaging and extraordinary picture of a radical colony that uses education to transform the status of women in society, politics and their own hearts and minds.

Endorsements

Greg Mackie AM (History Trust of SA): “An engrossing and entertaining documentary that takes the viewer to a past time when South Australian women were among the first in the world to enjoy a democratic franchise. I commend it to all.”

Elizabeth Ho OAM (Chair History Trust of South Australia) “Rob George has done us an enormous favour by taking the truly extraordinary history of women’s education in SA off the shelves and giving it visual shape in this beautifully crafted film.”

Producer/Director

Rob George. (‘Percy & Rose’, ‘The River Kings’, ‘Selkie’, ‘Captain Johnno’).

5049 Coastal Community Thanks Volunteers at Kingston Historic House

On Sunday afternoon – 27 July – the 5049 Coastal Community Association hosted a heartfelt Thank You Afternoon Tea to celebrate the many volunteers and sponsors who have support our work across Seacliff, Seacliff Park, Kingston Park, and Marino.

Held at the charming and historic Kingston Historic House, and in the newly renovated West Room, the event welcomed around 30 attendees for a relaxed afternoon. The setting — with its heritage ambiance and beautiful gardens — provided a perfect backdrop for acknowledging our volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to strengthening the southern coastal suburbs.

Attendees were served cups of tea and coffee accompanied by freshly baked scones, kindly served by the Kingston Historic House volunteers. The afternoon provided an opportunity to connect with fellow residents and share stories.

Alex Dighton, local Member for Black gave a speech and touched on the serious issues currently affecting South Australia, including the coastal algal bloom tragedy and the state’s housing crisis. He also praised the 5049 Coastal Community Association, noting it as a unique and essential group within his electorate — one that plays a critical role in representing local concerns and fostering a sense of belonging.

President David Cruickshanks-Boyd personally acknowledged volunteers by presenting them with thank you certificates, a token of appreciation for their contribution across many initiatives. Vice-President Judy Dangerfield also delivered a heartfelt thank you speech, expressing the association’s deep gratitude for the commitment and community spirit of its volunteers and supporters.

The event was not only a celebration of volunteerism but also a reminder of what makes the 5049 region so special — engaged citizens, local leadership, and a strong commitment to community.

Local residents wishing to volunteer for the 5049 Coastal Community, including being on the committee, are encourage to contact us by becoming a member (it’s free) and letting us know through our sign up form.

Kingston Historic House is open for Devonshire Teas from March to November on Sundays from 2.30pm – 4.30pm. For more details and to book visit the Kingston Historic House website.

Marino Community Hall Grand Opening Celebrates Local Connections and Creativity

On Saturday, June 28, the Marino community came together in a vibrant celebration to mark the long-awaited Grand Opening of the newly redeveloped Marino Community Hall. With more than 800 people in attendance, the day was a lively showcase of local talent, community connection, and cultural respect.

The formal speechers was compered by Tony Harrison, CEO of the City of Marion, The Welcome to Country was given by Kaurna Elder, Uncle Tamaru.

A series of speeches acknowledged the significance of the hall’s redevelopment and the community effort behind it. Louise Miller-Frost MP, Federal Member for Boothby, Alex Dighton MP, State Member for Black, Mayor Kris Hanna, and Rob George, Chair of the Marino Community Hall Management Committee, all spoke with pride and optimism about the hall’s role in the area’s future.

Attendees were then invited to participate in the Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Tamaru.

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed a diverse and engaging program of entertainment and activities. Highlights included:

A colourful art exhibition by the Marion Art Group, where five paintings were sold on the day.

Energetic demonstrations by Aerokids, KatKow Yoga, and GlowFIT, showcasing health and movement opportunities for all ages.

Information stands hosted by Venture Theatre and the Marino Repair Café, connecting attendees with local initiatives.

City of Marion Libraries hosted a fun-packed children’s area with face painting, colouring-in, and storytime sessions.

A buzzing mini-market by The Little Marino Market, featuring local makers and stallholders.

Delicious food and refreshments, including a BBQ hosted by the 5049 Neighbour Trailer and free coffee and treats from the café.

The Grand Opening of the Marino Community Hall not only celebrated the completion of a vital new space, but also shone a spotlight on the strength, diversity, and creativity of the local community. The newly opened hall promises to be a hub for connection, physical activity and collaboration for years to come.

On Saturday 12 July 2025 we launched the Marino Rail Care Group. The orientation morning was held at the Marino Community Hall.

The Marino Railway Station infrastructure redevelopment is almost finished. The next phase will see the environment around the station being significantly improved.

Planning is well advanced and the scope of activities is varied.

The initial redevelopment will start at the Bandon Tce entry point and progress through to the Newland Ave precinct.

Initial work agreed upon includes the following projects.

• A retaining wall replacement on the western side with garden beds (To be undertaken by a contractor) in preparation for volunteer planting.
• A mural through the underpass. (Based upon an ocean theme)
• Electrical box wrap, containing the history of the area (including photos of the Marino Railway Station with a 1950 steam train and water pump).
• Mulching eastern and western sides.
• Swale put in on eastern side for visual appeal and eco system support.

We will continue to work on a master plan for the area adjacent to Newland Ave, ensuring the planting of native species and vegetation is appropriate and relevant for the Marino coastline.

Should you have any questions or if you would like to join the Marino Rail Care team, Darren Bailhache at bailhache.communitysolutions@gmail.com.

We are excited to be returning to the new Marino Community Hall, where the Repair Café first started in November 2021. Since inception we have held 37 sessions and saved over 1000kg of stuff from landfill. It’s called a café rather than shop, as the volunteers give their time freely and we only ask for a donation to help supply consumables for the repairs. And like all good cafés we have barista coffee and cake.

Marino Repair Cafe returns to Marino Community Hall Sunday 20 July 2025.

Repair Cafés form a worldwide movement that strives to preserve repair skills in society and to promote more repairable products. They started in the Netherlands in 2009, and are now present in dozens of cities around the world. We belong to the Australian Repair Network and the information we collect is used to help inform the advocacy and policy work being done around the Right to Repair. We are supported by Sustainable Communities SA where there is a list of the other repair cafes in Adelaide.

Our Repair café has a core group of 14 volunteers, repairing a multitude of electrical items, general household goods, pottery, guitars, toys, bikes and sewing repairs; and more recently a knife and tool sharpening service. All our electrical repairs are performed by retired licenced electricians. The most common items we see are toasters, lamps, kettles – goods that are only guaranteed for 12 months and then fail. We have had many interesting objects turn up, including vintage hi-fi’s, a robot whose fault was easy fixed as it was mechanical and a very large inflatable Santa who we got ready in time for Xmas. One of our earlier successes was a kids fixit table, showing children how to put a few simple wooden items together; and now we are back in our permanent home this is a feature we would like to repeat. Regular updates are shared on our Facebook page.

We hold our sessions 3rd Sunday of month, with a break over summer ( Dec/Jan).

Opening times 1-4pm, with last items accepted at 3.30pm

If you are interested in volunteering please contact christeale1@gmail.com.

Further Resources

City of Holdfast Bay Waste and Recycling

City of Marion Waste and Recycling

Grand Opening Saturday, June 28

After two years of anticipation, setbacks, and a touch of buried history, the brand-new Marino Community Hall is finally ready to welcome the public.

Originally slated for completion in mid-2024 after a 12-month build, the project encountered a series of unexpected delays – most notably the discovery of asbestos buried on the site and the challenges of coordinating trades during a busy construction period. But now, 24 months after the old hall was demolished, a sparkling new community space rises like a phoenix from the rubble on Newland Avenue.

Trial operations began in mid-June, and now the community is invited to celebrate the official Grand Opening Day on Saturday, June 28.

The festivities will kick off at 10am, with official speeches from 10:30 to 11am. The formalities will give way to live music, activities, and an open invitation to explore everything the hall has to offer until 12pm – and the fun doesn’t stop there. The hall and café will remain open from 12 to 2pm, giving everyone extra time to relax, discover, and enjoy.

Guests are encouraged to:

• Take guided tours of the brand-new facilities
• Meet local groups who regularly use the hall, including the Marion Art Group, Repair Café, Dancersize, Venture Theatre, Aerokids, and the ever-popular mini-market
• Sign up for classes and events
• Let the kids enjoy face-painting and activities
• Savour a free coffee and muffin, thanks to the café and council support
• Grab a sausage from the barbecue trailer or coffee from the coffee van

And of course, the new deck offers stunning views – the perfect spot to sit back with your coffee and soak in the vibrant energy of the Marino community.

Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, don’t miss this chance to experience the fabulous new Marino Community Hall – it’s more than a building; it’s a new hub of connection, creativity, and community spirit.

See you there!

Update – April 2025

Construction crews have been working non stop over the Easter long weekend to complete the upgrades to Marino Station. Tactile paving to guide people safely along the train platform and the new curved shelter with seating have been installed with additions of security measures including CCTV, a 24 -hour emergency phone and a digital information kiosk to be completed soon.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Neighbourhood Watch Area Coordinator Darren Bailhache at Marino Station.

Over the past five years, you may have noticed an affectionate ginger cat called Muni (pictured) who loved people but ignored birds and wildlife, made friends with locals of all ages around the Seacliff railway station. He was also a welcome regular visitor to the nearby primary school, pre-schools, monthly produce swap market and other community gatherings and events. Muni was also known to make occasional surprise appearances in locals’ homes and even, sometimes, inside their parked cars. But his favourite place during the day remained hanging around the Seacliff railway station across the road from his permanent home with owner Deb Huston in Kauri Parade.

According to Deb, he was rescued as a kitten in 2012 from under logs at a Buddhist retreat in bushland on Kangaroo Island where he was given the name Muni which means “sage or wise one”. Deb added: “throughout his life he remained a wild cat at heart, always looking for adventure”. During his daily daytime rambles around the railway station and beyond, Muni made many loyal friends including local children on their way to and from school, who would look out for him outside his home, as well as regular train passengers and even dog walkers. While it’s been reported once, says Deb, that he was known to chase a dog out for a walk with its owner, he was never known to catch a bird or any other wildlife … or to get on a train.

Sadly, for the many who came to know him, Muni “crossed over the rainbow bridge” on the 8th of July 2024.

Muni’s popularity amongst so many locals will be commemorated by a small sign to be erected on the southern Seacliff station garden fence in Kauri Parade. The sign has been generously funded and provided by the Government of South Australia Department for Infrastructure and Transport on behalf of Muni’s friends from amongst the Seacliff Rail Care volunteers who meet at 9am on the second Saturday of every month to plant and maintain the garden areas around both platforms.

Please note: Deb along with Seacliff Rail Care volunteers support responsible pet ownership in accordance with the City of Holdfast Bay “Dog and Cat Management Board laws to ensure pets and people live in harmony” as stated in https://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/services/dogs-pets and https://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/council/policies_registers_by-laws/by-laws

The unveiling of Muni the Railway Cat’s memorial sign will be held at 11am on Saturday 22 March 2025. Everyone interested in coming along to celebrate this event is invited to attend between 10.30am and 12.30pm for a 5049 Coastal Community Neighbourhood Trailer sausage sizzle located in the carpark of the nearby Seacliff Presbyterian Church.