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Off the Shelf: November - December 2025
17/11/2025
I
n this edition, we’re featuring The Dusk by Robbie Arnott, winner of the 2025 Indie Book Awards Book of the Year.
In the spotlight: Explore the music collection at St Peters Library and enjoy an insightful podcast talk with Adam Courtenay on his memoir My Father Bryce.
We’re also introducing the Yoto Mini Player—screen-free audio fun for kids that brings stories and music to life.
Upcoming events include Bilingual Storytime with Zhao, Summer School Holidays at NPSP Libraries and Twilight Carols at Linde Reserve.
Place your holds via the online catalogue, explore our digital library or visit us in person to see what’s new.
Servant Leaders: Community, Culture and Connections - 2025 Adelaide Italian Festival
12/11/2025
Thank you, Francesco. It’s great to have you as our MC tonight. Thank you for your friendship and wise counsel.
Thank you all for coming out tonight and a special thank you to my friend Gina Marchetti, Chair of the Adelaide Italian Festival and her team for approving this event as part of this year’s festival program. I also want to thank and acknowledge the other speakers here tonight; Vini Ciccarello, Ida Tiramaco, Joe Cimino and ‘The King’ Matthew Panos.
On the median strip on Osmond Terrace situated between the Norwood Hotel and Sfizio Café is a small and humble marble bust of Antonio Gannoni, the first Italian to migrate to South Australia.
Gannoni arrived in South Australia from Rimini, Italy on 19 September 1839, and shortly thereafter settled in Bridge Street in the burgeoning village of Kensington, where he would later establish a horse-drawn taxi business.
What does Antonio Gannoni have to do with me?
Free Mindfulness & Meditation Class
12/11/2025
Mindfulness, Emotional Balance & Lasting Happiness A Workshop to Cultivate Inner Peace and Conscious Living.
Join us for a practical and uplifting workshop to explore the keys to develop your consciousness and overcome obstacles. Discover tools to cultivate mindfulness, emotional balance, and deep, lasting happiness.
This session will offer teachings and practices that can spark positive change in your life and support your spiritual path.
Venue: Payneham Community Centre. Beginning 29 October, 7:30pm
RSVP: gnosisadelaide@gmail.com or 0455337437
For more information, visit: www.gnosisadelaide.com
AFL Gather Round back at The Parade in 2026
12/11/2025
AFL Gather Round will return to The Parade in April 2026 with two matches scheduled for Norwood Oval.
AFL Gather Round back at The Parade in 2026
12/11/2025
AFL Gather Round will return to The Parade in April 2026 with two matches scheduled for Norwood Oval. Sydney v Gold Coast in a twilight match on Saturday 11 April and Geelong v West Coast Eagles on Sunday 12 April.
Norwood Combined Probus Club Inc. - meets monthly
22/10/2025
The Norwood Combined Probus Club meets in the Don Pyatt Hall (entry from George Street) between 10am and 12 noon, on the 4th Monday of every month.
Our members enjoy various outings, including:
- lunches
- art gallery visits
- walking group
- film mornings
Suitable for retired and semi-retired people.
Time: 10:00am — 12:00pm
When: 4th Monday of every month
Venue: Don Pyatt Hall, 175 The Parade, Norwood (enter via George Street)
Contact: Lynn Hall on 0499 059 505
For more information, visit: www.probussouthpacific.org
St Peters History for sale
16/10/2025
The former St Peters Council created the St Peters Historic Conservation Trust in 1996 prior to the amalgamation with the Payneham and Kensington & Norwood Councils to hold and manage items from the Town of St Peters that were considered to be of historical value.
The Trust was gifted most of the historic artifacts of the Council, including portraits of former Mayors and Council Members, historic maps and records, the gold Mayoral Chain, Mayoral and Members robes, and the Council Chamber furniture.
Mary MacKillop Mass for Choir & Orchestra - Friday 7 November, 8:00 PM
02/10/2025
Cantabile Singers is excited to once again present this spectacular work.
We are delighted to welcome soloists Emma Borgas (Adelaide Chamber Singers) and Jeremy Tatchell (State Opera).
Join us for an evening of exquisite music by Australian composer Nicholas Buc, honouring the legacy of St Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint.
NPSP secures $100,000 grant for major public artwork
09/09/2025
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters has successfully secured a $100,000 grant from CreateSA, through the Government of South Australia, to support the commissioning of the Council’s fifth Quadrennial Public Artwork.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings and Book Step Study Group
09/09/2025
Alcoholics Anonymous holds group meetings on Mondays, and the Adelaide Beginners Big Book Step Study Group meets on Tuesdays at the Payneham Community Centre, 374 Payneham Road.
For more information and enquiries, visit:
- Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (6:30-7:30)
- Adelaide Beginners Big Book Step Study Group Tuesday (7-8pm)
Off the Shelf: September - October 2025
01/09/2025
In this edition, we’re featuring Ghost Cities by Siang Lu, winner of the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Join us at Norwood Concert Hall for an author talk with bestselling writer Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands, who will discuss his new novel, Legacy. September and beyond bring a range of exciting programs and events, including the Good Reading Competition for your chance to win $200 worth of adult fiction.
Place your holds via the online catalogue, explore our digital library or visit us in person to see what’s new.
Plan your visit to The Parade
28/08/2025
The Parade, Norwood is always buzzing with activity and while the George Street Upgrade works are underway, we’re working hard to ensure that your visit is still as enjoyable and seamless as possible...
St Peters Library: Smiljka
27/08/2025
When Smiljka Pasic migrated to Australia from Serbia more than twenty years ago, she did not speak a word of English.
A respected teacher in Serbia’s education department, Smiljka was overcome with emotions as she left her economically ravaged homeland that began to fall apart as a result of the Yugoslav civil wars of the 1990’s.
However, Smiljka was eager to embrace Australian culture and decided immediately that she wanted to learn as much as she could about her new country.
“When I came to Australia and then to Adelaide, I thought to myself, you can’t love something you don’t know,” Smiljka said.
That is when Smiljka, now 72, decided to volunteer her services and learn more about South Australia, its people, history and way of life.
Justice of the Peace: Sudhir
27/08/2025
As one of the Council’s Volunteer Justices of the Peace, Sudhir Thakur is a familiar face at the Norwood Town Hall and on The Parade, Norwood.
Inspired by his late mother’s dedication to serving her community, Sudhir has become a committed Volunteer for the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, in addition to giving his time to a host of other charitable causes.
“My mother came from a very modest, lower middle-class strata of the Indian society, says Sudhir.
“Volunteering for the benefit of others when we ourselves were struggling to make ends meet was truly commendable. This is what inspired me to become a Volunteer.”
After migrating to Australia from India, Sudhir became a Justice of the Peace in 2015, to act as an independent and objective witness to documents used for official or legal purposes.
Graffiti Removal Team: Daniel and Melville
27/08/2025
Melville has been in the volunteering role since 2005 when he left the Adelaide Zoo where he held his dream job of being a zoo-keeper for more than 20 years.
“Every animal had their own peculiarities and personalities. I started in the bird department and then moved to the mammal department eventually becoming a rover. But you wouldn’t have known I was there. It was mainly behind the scenes, just like graffiti removal really,” Melville said.
Melville likens the way vandals mark walls and buildings to the way animals spray to mark their territory.
“It might be arrogant or ego driven” Melville 64, said. “Other times it is just mindless squiggles and a waste of resources.”
Daniel, aged 21, decided to join his father when he was at a career crossroads and couldn’t decide whether to follow in his dad’s footsteps and work at the zoo or find an entirely new path.
Coordinating Italian Committee
27/08/2025
The Coordinating Italian Committee is seeking volunteers who love to interact with seniors.
They have aged care programs that assist with shopping, meals, social activities and transport.
For more information, visit the Coordinating Italian Committee website:
Meals on Wheels Norwood
27/08/2025
Meals on Wheels Norwood Branch are seeking volunteers to assist in multiple roles.
Every week, kind-hearted locals help cook and deliver fresh, delicious meals to those who need them. It only takes a few hours, but makes the world of difference.
For more information, visit the Meals on Wheels website:
Rotary Shed on Linde Reserve, Stepney
27/08/2025
Volunteers assist with sorting, processing and preparing donated goods for sale. Items include toys, books, garden tools, small electrical goods and more.
You can also help with listing, checking and closing online sales through Marketplace, Gumtree and eBay. Training is provided.
For more information and to apply, visit the Rotary Club website:
Legacy
27/08/2025
Legacy is a charity organisation that assists families and widows of veterans in various ways. They are always looking for volunteers to help in their programs such as becoming a community visitor, support during Legacy Week and helping out at events.
For more information, visit the Legacy website:
Pet Care Program: Kerry-Anne
27/08/2025
Supporting our Community and their pets Kerry-Anne, the Community Services Coordinator at the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, wears two hats at the Council.
In addition to her daily role, she dedicates her lunch breaks to volunteering in the Council’s Pet Care Program, supporting community members who need assistance with walking their beloved pets.
Since joining the program in 2020, Kerry-Anne’s commitment to dog walking has grown into a deeply meaningful part of her week.
“The first dog I was matched with was Paddy, a young Beagle full of personality,” she recalls with a smile. “Paddy would sometimes take me for a walk when he picked up an interesting scent!” Kerry-Anne walked Paddy every Sunday for three years, building a lasting bond with both the dog and his owner.
Friends of the Billabong Program and Council Events: Savia and Vinod
27/08/2025
Savia Coelho describes moving to South Australia from Mumbai, India, as a “daunting experience”. While navigating immigration red tape, juggling being a mother to two young children, Savia and her husband Vinod felt a huge amount of uncertainty. This all changed when Savia and Vinod, of Payneham, choose to volunteer with the Council.
“My husband and I thrive around people. I started off as a Volunteer at the Payneham Library and then my husband and I became Volunteers as part of the Friends of the Billabong Program,” Savia says.
“We really love spending time amidst the gum trees with our two young kids... building a deeper understanding of the people and environment we live in,” she says.
“The only way you can make a new country your own is by keeping an open mind and open arms. And that's what I decided to do and I jumped into volunteering to find a sense of belonging and community.” Savia also uses her marketing skills to assist with Sustainable Communities SA as well as one-off events such as Pop-Up Wheel Park and Raising the Bar, in which she co-hosted a session at the 2021 event.
Home Library Service: Glenys
27/08/2025
Glenys Raveane’s career involved 45 years of working across a range of human services—disability, ageing, young people and various other health areas.
Upon her retirement, Glenys, of Stepney, wanted to delve into something completely different.
“Initially I sought to do some book repair work at my local library. Reading and literacy are things I have always been interested in,” she said.
“I have also been very interested in the work done in communities by Local Government.”
Since January 2021, Glenys, has been a Home Library Service Volunteer—offering her time and company for a couple of hours on a Tuesday and a Friday once a month.
“There are some people who just like to have their books swapped over and others who may be at home and with whom I can have a chat.”
Stepping Out Program: Tolga
27/08/2025
Never underestimate the power of humanity. This is the powerful message that Volunteer Tolga Okar wants to share with his global community.
Tolga, who is originally from Istanbul, has lived and worked all over the world. With an Honours Degree in English Philology from Istanbul University, the Certified Digital Marketing and Sales Professional said he never once anticipated he would be a Volunteer at the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.
But life is about experiences and Tolga has a very enriched and encouraging outlook.
Tolga, who is fluent in Turkish, English, French and with a good understanding of Mandarin and German, was faced with a very uncertain future when he was made redundant after moving to South Australia, with his wife and son aged six, in January 2019.
“I struggled to find a job which was parallel to my experience and corporate level of work,” Tolga said.
“It was right before COVID-19, I was in a new City, my only contact in Adelaide was the Turkish Association of South Australia who advised me to use my multinational intercultural human experiences and languages as a Volunteer.”
Tolga is now a Volunteer with the Council’s Stepping Out Program, and he has developed a special bond with a lady named Claire, who contacted the Council after experiencing loneliness due to various health conditions.
Community Bus Driver: Paul
26/08/2025
Since retiring from a long and fulfilling career as a schoolteacher and principal in South Australia’s Department of Education, Paul has been volunteering his time for the benefit of our community.
Volunteering with the Council since 2017, Paul says that his volunteer commitments continue to be an important part of his retirement plan, as it enables him to maintain social
interactions among a host of other benefits.
“Now that I am retired, and have good health and time, I enjoy helping out in my community."
“I get satisfaction knowing that I am using a skill I have to provide a service and be a support to others.”
Paul says that driving the community bus provides him with the opportunity to be part of a team that delivers vital services for our community while also helping to showcase the premium food and beverage manufacturers that our City is best known for.
Aged Care Visitor: Amoriette
25/08/2025
Amoriette Pérez moved from Chile to Adelaide in January 2023 with her husband and son. A qualified psychologist with a Master's in Educational Psychology, she quickly embraced the change and settled in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.
Amoriette now volunteers as an Aged Care Volunteer Visitor at Estia Health – Kensington Gardens, supporting a resident named Margaret.
I believe volunteering gives you a purpose in life, adds meaning, and fosters personal growth.
Volunteering has brought her joy and a sense of belonging. "Two years ago, thinking about this opportunity in Australia was an unthinkable reality," she reflects." Now, I believe volunteering gives you a purpose in life, adds meaning, and fosters personal growth."
