The Mount Barker Courier

Council to consult on new toilet plan

The Mt Barker Council will consult with the community about a plan to build new public toilets at the Echunga Community Park and the Echunga Recreation Grounds, while relinquishing responsibility for two other public toilet blocks in the town. Under...

Click here

Hills resident knows the impact of a simple conversation

Hawthorndene resident and teacher Christopher Richards knows how much difference a simple conversation can make. In 2021, he and his family were dealing with a number of health challenges that brought “stressful days and sleepless nights”...

Click here

Resident concerned over loss of postal service

Verdun residents have been left without a local postal service following the closure of their community post agency last month. The agency notified residents of its temporary closure on August 6, before confirming a permanent closure on August 21...

Click here

Cool win for white wine

Sidewood Estate’s 2024 Mappinga Chardonnay was crowned the best white wine at this year’s International Cool Climate Wine Show. The victory comes a year after the 2023 Mappinga Chardonnay won the trophy for the best wine in the show at the same...

Click here

War-era artefact found in roof space

A Bridgewater resident made a surprising discovery in his 1950s-built home last month. James De Ath found what appeared to be a “wartime projectile” hanging from the rafters of his Driffield Road property during renovations. At first glance, he...

Click here

Hills livestock shines at Royal Adelaide Show

The Ferris wheel has stopped and the stables have been cleared at the Wayville Showgrounds after the Royal Adelaide Show wrapped up for another year. The show was held between August 30 and September 7, including livestock competitions that drew...

Click here

Mayoral comeback

Adelaide Hills Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom is set to return to the council tomorrow (Thursday) after six months of leave, but a council report has revealed that she is yet to comply with the terms of the sanctions imposed on her by the council before...

Click here

News

View all

National park set to expand

Click here

Hills resident knows the impact of a simple conversation

Click here

Resident concerned over loss of postal service

Click here

Cool win for white wine

Click here

Council & Politics

View all

Council to consult on new toilet plan

Click here

Mayoral comeback

Click here

Op shop faces the chop

The future of the Gumeracha Op Shop hangs in the balance, with an independent report revealing the shop is no longer financially viable and at odds with the council’s strategic objectives. Consultancy firm BRM Advisory conducted a service review...

Click here

Police

View all

Police

Homemade road sign sparks police warning

SA Police is warning the public not to alter road signs after a speed limit sign at Hahndorf was changed recently. The 60km/h sign on Ambleside Road had a 50km/h sign fixed over the top of it, in what some interpreted as a protest against the legal...

Click here

Louis Mayfield

Sleeping ‘Blue-ty’

A koala had an early morning adventure inside the Heysen Tunnels over the weekend. SA Police said the koala was spotted by traffic cameras around 4.15am on Sunday, August 3, on an elevated ledge inside the tunnel and appeared to have settled in for...

Click here

06 Aug 2025

Park thefts prompt security upgrade

Five break-ins and some visitors leaving without paying in the past month have prompted the Strathalbyn Caravan Park management to invest more in security. The park is run by the Strathalbyn Oval Controlling Committee and chair Craig Maidment said...

Click here

06 Aug 2025

Police

High steaks offender

There was a “high steaks pursuit” at Dawesley last week, after a cow was spotted with a bucket on its head. In a social media post last week, SA Police said a patrol responded to reports of a “cow acting suspiciously” alongside Old Princes...

Click here

26 Mar 2025

Community

View all

Community

Historian driving campaign for war era bus

A local historian has started a grassroots campaign to bring a piece of Lobethal history back to the town – a 1940s Graeber’s bus. Graeber’s bus service operated in Lobethal from around 1919 until the 1970s, transporting residents from the...

Click here

Op shop faces the chop

Click here

Community

Badge of honor

A Mt Barker teenager has raised $5000 for her local football club, driven by a desire to return the kindness it showed her after a life-changing incident 10 years ago. Earlier this year, local artist Madi Fox saw an opportunity to sell player...

Click here

Community

Storied history of Kaffeehaus to end

An inter-generational Hahndorf business will close its doors after more than 20 years. The Kaffeehaus was founded in 2004 and has since been a family affair, with Heidi Hartnett and daughter Ashton Downing serving in the front of house, Ms...

Click here

22 Aug 2025

Sport

View all

Nairne advance

Nairne-Bremer United have moved into a third successive Hills Football League Division 1 A-grade grade final following a good win on Saturday. Meeting Uraidla Districts in the second qualifying final, the Rams fought back after a quarter time...

Click here

Premierships retained

Adelaide Hills regional netball grand finals were held last Saturday with the A-grade titles remaining with the defending premiership clubs. In Mid Hills association ranks, Nairne Districts fought off an initial challenge from Lobethal Gold to claim...

Click here

Title bid for young Hawks

The Adelaide Hills Hawks Under 18 side clashed with Port Adelaide Pirates in the second leg of their State Soccer League (2) South semifinal last Saturday. After the scores finished 2-2 in the first leg, both teams had everything to play for with...

Click here

Bloods historic berth

Macclesfield sit on the cusp of breaking a 45-year A-grade premiership drought following victory in Saturday’s Hills Country Division football second semifinal. The Bloods booked their first grand final appearance since 1997 with a 8-13 to 5-14 win...

Click here

Preliminary final upsets

Lower-ranked teams provided upset results during Adelaide Hills regional A-grade netball preliminary finals last Saturday. In Mid Hills ranks, Lobethal Gold continued a determined run through the major rounds when it defeated second-placed...

Click here

Dixon a key performer

High profile recruit Charlie Dixon paved the way for Lobethal to secure a thrilling win in last weekend’s round of Hills Football League Division 1 A-grade finals matches. Meeting defending multiple premier Hahndorf in Sunday’s elimination final...

Click here

Ramming home authority

Nairne-Bremer United have secured both the Hills Football League (HFL) Division 1 A-grade minor premiership and Courier Cup honors following its impressive Round 16 away win against the red-hot Mt Lofty Devils at Heathfield Oval on Saturday. After...

Click here

Glory for Bulldogs women

History was made last Sunday as the Onkaparinga Valley Bulldogs claimed their first-ever senior premiership, defeating minor premier Blackwood in the HFLW grand final. A huge crowd packed into German Arms Oval at Hahndorf, in what was an electric...

Click here

Editorial

View all

Editorial

Fresh start

The impending return of Adelaide Hills Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom to her role this week after a six-month absence brings the council’s tumultuous year back into the spotlight. Prior to her leave of absence – which was taken for health reasons –...

Click here

Editorial

Start of a new era

The Adelaide Hills and Mt Barker councils have experienced extreme turmoil in the past months, including allegations of bullying and disputes over councillor behavior. This has led to councillors resigning from both councils, resulting in...

Click here

Editorial

Attendance accountability

The Adelaide Hills Council’s decision to investigate the amount of leave taken by councillors is a good step forward. The council has experienced a turbulent term so far, with claims of bullying and three councillor resignations alongside major...

Click here