Sunshine, laughter, guitar music, sizzling sausages, scarecrows, roses, conversations and native plants all came together to make a wonderful Neighbour Day at McConnell Community Native Garden on Sunday 29th March.

Young children were entranced by the Kpop queen, Rumi and families made amazing scarecrows from straw and recycled clothing. Others focussed on chalk drawn mandalas on the ashphalt surround the wicking beds.

Neighbours new and old enjoyed each other’s company and enthusiastically bought raffle tickets to win local restaurant vouchers, plants, flowers, garden essentials, or home made preserves. Everyone relished the delicious BBQ sausages and veggie kebabs cooked to perfection by the 5049 volunteers from the Neighbour Trailer.

Local, state and federal politicians visited to enjoy the festivities as well as to admire the native garden progress and meet over 150 locals.
Congratulations to everyone involved and thanks to the City of Marion events grant, which made for a very successful and well attended event.

The Neighbour Trailer made its inaugural outing to the 5th birthday celebrations of the Seacliff Produce Swap at Wheatland Reserve, and it was a hit with the community. As they swapped their home-grown
produce, locals were treated to a hearty brunch of sausage and veggie sizzles cooked up on the trailer’s BBQ.

The 5049CC Neighbour Trailer is now available for hire to volunteers, residents, and community groups. Equipped with a BBQ, three sinks, two eskies, and a solar-powered refrigerator, the trailer is perfect for
community events and gatherings of all sizes. All that is needed is a flat space to park the trailer on private land. For larger events, permission needs to be sought from the relevant council, so advanced notice is needed.

Operated by a friendly team of volunteers, the Neighbour Trailer is a great way to bring communities together. Whether it’s a street party, a community fundraiser, or a family gathering, the trailer is a fun and practical way to serve up food and drinks.

Funding for the Neighbour Trailer came from a Commonwealth Stronger Communities grant in 2022, which has allowed the trailer to become a reality.

The Neighbour Trailer is a fantastic initiative that promotes community engagement and brings people together in a fun and practical way. Book it now for your next community event and see the difference it can make!

UPDATE June 2023: Social Scrabble on pause.

Thank you to all those who attended Social Scrabble, to Marino Rocks Social for providing the space for these events and to Scrabble SA for the boards and scoresheets.    Social scrabble at Marino Rocks Social is on pause for now.  For more places to play, see scrabblesa.com.                       

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In a sunny room filled with rotating boards, local players recently gathered for an afternoon of friendly Scrabble competition and mental exercise. The event catered to players of all levels, who were paired with comparable opponents for a stimulating and challenging experience.

Participants enjoyed Devonshire teas and savoury platters as they tested their skills and planned their next moves over the following two hours. Despite the intense gameplay, the mood was light and fun with plenty of smiles and laughter around the room.

All agreed the event was a resounding success and many are already planning to return for future sessions. For those interested in joining the fun, registration is open now by calling 0421 699 680 or simply showing up on a Sunday at 3pm Marino Rocks Social to check it out.

This event not only provides an opportunity for friendly competition, but also offers a chance for players to meet new people and sharpen their minds in a fun and engaging environment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for a new hobby, this scrabble event is definitely worth thinking about.

Louise Miller-Frost , Federal Member for Boothby, arrived at McConnell Reserve where locals had gathered to celebrate a Neighbour Day picnic organised by 5049CC with a grant from the City of Marion. 

She was greeted by the energetic and enthusiastic 5049CC Neighbour BBQ Trailer team, who were eager to serve up some delicious sizzles. As she approached the BBQ trailer (which has been funded by a Commonwealth Government Stronger Communities Grant) the team worked together seamlessly, grilling up a storm and creating a festive friendly atmosphere.

 With the aroma of mouth-watering sausages and vegetables on offer filling the air, community members gathered around, chatting and taking advantage of the opportunity to get to know one another. It was true celebration of the power of community, and Louise Miller-Frost MP was thrilled to be a part of it.

 The Neighbour Day picnic at McConnell Reserve is not just about enjoying some tasty food, it’s about bringing the community together and celebrating the bonds that tie us all together. As the afternoon drew to a close, everyone left feeling closer to their neighbours and much more connected to their community.

Simone and Chantel’s patience paid off when they won a raffle prize worth waiting for. Almost a year after winning the raffle at the Neighbour Day picnic at McConnell Reserve, they finally got to claim their prize – lunch at Parliament House with David Speirs, Member for Black and Opposition Leader.

The lunch was held in the prestigious ‘Strangers Dining Room’ and included a tour of the meeting chambers and library. Chantel reported appreciating excellent food and service, and the experience was both interesting and enjoyable.

The generous donation from David Speirs to the 5049CC Kind Neighbour Program has made a significant impact on the community, with funds raised being used to support local volunteers in service of the community. We are grateful to our local Member for getting involved and supporting initiatives that bring local people together.

Simone and Chantel’s experience is a reminder that patience and persistence can pay off in unexpected ways. The lunch at Parliament House was not just a prize, but also an opportunity to connect with a local leader and learn more about the workings of government. Congratulations to Simone and Chantel and a big thank you to David Speirs for his generous contribution to the Kind Neighbour Program.

The 5049 Coastal Community Association  was praised for enhancing the level of community involvement as well as building relationships with residents and councils in the publication of Adelaide wide research, the ‘Neighbourhood Circles Project’ by Sarah Faulkner. The activities from Friends of Pine Gully, Kind Neighbour Program and Open Garage were included in the final publication. It shone a light on the important role neighbours play to keep each other safe and celebrated original community initiatives and the importance of random acts of kindness. Click here to view the publication and for more information about the research project.