Dave and Matt with Steve Foster at Semaphore Surf Lifesaving Club


Semaphore was blessed with a superb outside broadcast of the popular Matt and Dave show on ABC Radio 891 Adelaide throughout the morning of Thursday May 6. 

Many local residents participated in the excellent analysis of the past, present and future of Port Adelaide, Semaphore and other parts of the Le Fevre Peninsula in South Australia.

The show took place on the beach, in the dunes with environmentalists and finally the Semaphore Surf Lifesaving Club where a large group of community leaders and local residents participated in an entertaining discussion.

Local singer/songwriter Steve Foster sang two songs, including his ballad about the clipper ship City of Adelaide.

You can hear it here.  

Local community leaders and residents study aerial maps and other information about the district

{ 0 comments }

Plans for a major new development around Dock One in Port Adelaide were outlined by Newport Quays spokesman Todd Brown at a Port Adelaide Enfield Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Portobello Food Kitchen Bar at Newport Quays.

A waterfront park and a 9.5m wide promenade form the centrepiece of a $110 million Newport Quays residential development of Port Adelaide’s Dock One.

With 275 two and three storey townhouses planned, the Dock One precinct is expected to bring 500 new residents to the Port town centre.

The 3.5ha site bounded by the southern edge of Dock One and Wauwa Rd, St Vincent and Jubilee streets will become the third stage of the $2.1 billion waterfront revitalisation project when work starts later this year.

The 1923 former customs clearing house, known locally as the Radio Shack, has been quarantined from the development as negotiations continue between the developer, council and the State Government over its fate.

Newport Quays Consortium spokesman Todd Brown said the decision to build on the Port Adelaide side of the Port River reflected difficulties in sourcing finance for larger precincts and a desire to speed up revitalisation of the town centre.

“It’s been recognised there is a need for more people in the Port and this will deliver 500 to 600 new residents over a 18 month to two year period, which will be a fantastic boost for local businesses,” he said.

Read the full story from the Portside Messenger:

More development news from the Land Management Corporation

{ 0 comments }

Join other visionaries, leave your prejudices and worries behind and join us for a taste of the future at the first  Winter Solstice Feast in the Masonic Hall on Semaphore Road on Tuesday June 22.

Experience Semaphore hospitality and conviviality and discover a brighter plan for our future, led by the western suburbs, with support from local government.

This enlightening event will be hosted by the Semaphore Information Centre and Adelaide Eco Info Exchange.

Following a thought-provoking welcome from Kaurna elder Auntie Josie, who made Kevin Rudd think a little, guests can tuck into a memorable feast of fresh local food and fresh local ideas.

New education minister Jay Weatherill will provide a glimpse of more community-focused education.

Dr Mike Bossley will tell us why the health and wellbeing of whales, dolphins and the Port River are so important to our future.

Dr Paul Downton will explain why and how the Christie Walk Eco Project is providing timely, on-the-ground answers to the really big sustainability questions.
[Read more …]

{ 0 comments }

Despite wind and showers many locals turned out in Port Adelaide and Semaphore for ANZAC Eve and ANZAC Day events.

Here are some some photos taken on Saturday night of the Choir of Hope and Harmony, SA Pipes and Drums and dignitaries, followed by the Dawn Service on Sunday.

ANZAC EVE

The SA Pipes and Drums band in front of the veteran steam tug Yelta

The Semaphore Community Choir of Hope and Harmony


[Read more …]

{ 0 comments }

For the first time the wonderful Semaphore community Hope and Harmony Choir will be giving two 15-minute performances at ANZAC Light on the Water 2010.

It is a true community choir made up of people from all walks of life that brings hope through harmony.

The choir owes a great deal to the City of Port Adelaide Enfield for their support, particularly Eddie Bulitis and his team.

Also performing will be the renowned SA Pipes and Drums who have performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo.

ANZAC Light on the Water will be staged from 6.30 pm on Saturday April 24 when a fleet of 3000 candle-lit lifeboats will be launched on the Port River as a tribute to all those lost at sea in World War II

{ 0 comments }

A lucky child survivor of the sinking of the ocean liner Athenia in September 1939

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is sending a wreath to Port Adelaide to be floated on the Port River at ANZAC Light on the Water 2010 with 3000 candle-lit cardboard lifeboats made by local school students.

The theme of the annual event this year will be a tribute to all those from all countries lost at sea in World War II, including civilians.

Representatives of the Australian Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy and the Maritime Union will join local veterans and families at the event on ANZAC Eve, Saturday April 24.

The event will include an all-faiths commemorative service with Port Chaplain Rev Robin Trebilcock and a catafalque party at the Navigator memorial on McLaren Wharf at Timpson Street at 5.50 pm.

Members of the National Servicemen's Association who will participate in the catafalque party at the Navigator memorial

Following a performance by the world-renowned SA Pipes and Drums, a lone piper will lead the catafalque party and an RAN ceremonial unit to the lighthouse for a special display and rifle volley.

Spectators will also be entertained by the Semaphore Choir of Hope and Harmony with an introduction by Rev Ali Wurm.

Speakers will be local Federal Member Mark Butler MP on behalf of Prime Minister Rudd and Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin MP, South Australian Deputy Premier and Treasurer Kevin Foley MP and the Mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield, Gary Johanson.

North Haven Surf Lifesavers will launch the fleet of lifeboats in the Port River as dignitaries and members of the public float wreaths.

ANZAC Light on the Water was voted Port Adelaide Enfield Community Event of the Year in 2009 and is expected to attract a large crowd of veterans and families.

{ 0 comments }

Some of the extensive foreshore dunes running down to Largs Bay taken from the Semaphore Palais Hotel

A regular visitor to Semaphore, The Extraordinary Tourist was born in the town of Whyalla in South Australia in 1970; his parents are English migrants — mum is from Farsley and Dad is from Pudsey, (Leeds area) in West Yorkshire and they moved to Australia in 1967. 
Originally they lived in Elizabeth, a suburb of Adelaide, where his older sister was born.

His real name is David Arandle and it is only online that he is known as The Extraordinary Tourist. Most people just call him TET.

The name is from the book The Accidental Tourist, which was later made into a film staring Gina Davis and William Hurt; David liked it and adopted it as his own.

He describes himself as an artist but there’s more to him than that — he writes stories, poems, comedy, articles, paints, draws cartoons, designs and codes websites, programs computers and creates animation, video and multimedia presentations. 

Sometimes he’s a photographer, a model and a problem solver and at other times he invents things, designs games, builds stuff and manages people.

Here’s a blog post he’s just done on Semaphore.

{ 0 comments }

Calling all cyclists

April 11, 2010

As keen cyclists, Kathy and Tony Linkson realised the need for a bike-friendly place to stay. Their Semaphore Beach House offers secure storage for bikes and help with planning your South Australian cycling holiday.

They’ll arrange transport for you and your bike to and from the airport and to and from trail heads, show you how to find the many scenic trails and the quiet country roads ideal for cycling.

Our photo shows Kathy and Tony on the road to Point Pass, which in its heyday was full of saddlers, blacksmiths, carpenters, a cheese and butter factory, upholsterers and even a watchmaker. 

All Point Pass historic buildings still stand today and the hotel, first opened in 1876 has the original stone stables with walls two feet thick. Between Eudunda and Point Pass are the striking Lutheran Church with its gold domed roof and the graceful old Lutheran Boarding College with all rooms fitted out with antiques, each with its own theme.

Find out about Semaphore Beach House here.

{ 0 comments }

The new ANZAC flag outside Port Adelaide Town Hall; and along Commercial Road.

Two weeks ahead of ANZAC Light on the Water 2010 on Saturday April 24, 28 street flags are today flying throughout Port Adelaide — the first time for an ANZAC event.

Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs Alan Griffin and local member Mark Butler helped to secure a special grant for the flags, which will go up each year to draw public attention to the event and to ANZAC Day itself.

This year Light on the Water will commemorate all those lost at sea in World War II; 3000 candlelit cardboard lifeboats made by local school students will be floated on the Port River as a tribute to Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy, medical and rescue, waterside workers and other civilians lost at sea around the world.

The event will begin at 6.30 pm on Queens Wharf on the river side of the Fisherman’s Wharf Markets building near Birkenhead Bridge and will include performances by the SA Pipes and Drums, the Community Choir of Hope and Harmony and an RAN ceremonial unit.

{ 0 comments }

Postcards executive producer Alan Hickey is left holding baby Amelia while mum Selina Greco prepares to be interviewed on the front balcony of Timeball Apartments.

Tune in to Channel Nine’s Postcards on Semaphore on Sunday April 11 at 5.30pm.

{ 0 comments }