Media Releases

Mayor of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Robert Bria said $876,594 was spent on dining and entertainment in Norwood on Friday, 14 April when Fremantle played Gold Coast.

“This figure represents the single largest daily expenditure on dining and entertainment based on Spendmapp data, since the Council starting collecting the data in July 2018,” Mayor Bria said.

Spendmapp takes into account all debit and credit card transactions, makes adjustments to account for all banks and applies a weighting to ensure cash and non-card payments are included to create a comprehensive representation of the economy.

“The Council knew that the Friday night match under lights would be very popular, and the time slot was ideal, giving fans time to get dinner or a drink after the game,” he said.

“The Hawthorn versus Greater Western Sydney match played on the Sunday afternoon provided a solid boost of $774,184, which was spent on dining and entertainment in Norwood."

Mayor Bria said the combined weekend expenditure in the dining and entertainment sector in Norwood across the Friday, Saturday and Sunday contributed $2.215 million which according to Spendmapp data, is estimated to be about $730,000 more than the average weekend spend.

“These numbers are incredible and shows that AFL football is very much welcomed on The Parade given the number of hotels, cafes and restaurants fans visited before and after the two matches.

“The Council believes these figures will increase if Norwood Oval hosts matches next year for the Gather Round,” he added.

Mayor Bria said Norwood Oval, which is owned by the Council benefitted from $700,000 of infrastructure improvements for Gather Round, which included new coaches’ boxes, a new media box and new kiosk under the ET Smith Stand.

“The Council recently resolved to formally advise the State Government, the AFL, SANFL and Norwood Football Club of its interest for Norwood Oval to host matches as part of next year’s Gather Round and has allocated $100,000 in the 2023-2024 Annual Business Plan and Budget for associated events and activities if it is successful.”

Mayor Bria has also written to Hawthorn Football Club Chief Executive Justin Reeves, following the Club’s interest in playing at Norwood Oval over the next three years.

“The Council has already conducted a review with the AFL and is working through a number of ideas and options to take the activations to another level.”

Bree Stoldt, Senior Operations Manager from The Colonist Tavern, which took part in the Gather Round activations this year, with special food and drink offers including free oysters described the event as the “best weekend”

“We were hosting so many different people from not only around the state but the country.”

“The atmosphere that was produced was something we haven’t seen for a long time on The Parade and we really hope The Parade gets the opportunity to host again next year,” she added.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

Mayor Robert Bria said the Council wants to hear directly from artists, historians, cultural organisations, businesses and groups or anyone who participates in, or shares an interest in any art form.

“Our City is known for its unique and diverse culture and for valuing creativity and artistic expression within the community,” he said.

“From Art on Parade, our Public Art & Culture Grants, the Council’s support of the SALA Festival and Adelaide Fringe as well as Canvas Youth Arts and the Quadrennial Public Art Program, our City has a strong track record when it comes to supporting emerging and established artists,” he said.

“The new three-year Arts & Culture Plan will strengthen the role the Council plays in helping to foster innovation, imagination and expression across all areas of arts and culture to help us to attract new audiences,” he said.

“Whether it’s visual art, performing art, literary art, temporary and permanent public art, moving image and community art, we want to continue to build on the Council’s excellent reputation of delivering a diverse and superior-quality program of events, activations and exhibitions.

“The most important aspect of the Arts & Culture Plan is proactively engaging and celebrating the local arts and culture community.”

There are a variety of ways to take part in the conversation and provide your input. To complete th online survey visit: www.npsp.sa.gov.au

Or to share ideas and chat with peers, come along to the Banquet Hall, St Peters Town Hall Complex, 101 Payneham Road, St Peters on Saturday 27 May from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.

If you have any questions about the Arts & Culture Plan, please contact the Council’s Arts Officer, Emma Comley on 08 8366 4515 or email ecomley@npsp.sa.gov

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria 0431 754 077

The Gather Round was universally considered a triumph, with all matches in South Australia selling out, including Gold Coast vs Fremantle and GWS vs Hawthorn which were played at Norwood Oval.

At the Council meeting last night (1 May 2023), Elected Members unanimously supported a Notice of Motion from Mayor Robert Bria to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders with the aim to secure additional matches on Adelaide’s Premier Main Street, The Parade.

Mayor Bria’s Motion also called for $100,000 to be allocated in the Council’s draft 2023 - 2024 Budget to fund events and activities associated with matches at Norwood Oval, should the venue again be selected to host AFL matches.

“From the Council’s perspective, the AFL Gather Round was an outstanding success for South Australia and in particular, for the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, the iconic Norwood Oval and South Australia’s Premier Main Street, The Parade,” he said.

“While the Council understands the AFL and the State Government will conduct their own reviews of Gather Round and an announcement regarding the fixture and venues for 2024 Gather Round will be announced later this month, the Council has already started its own review, which includes discussions with the AFL and Norwood Football Club,” Mayor Bria said.

“During the Gather Round matches at Norwood Oval, I was pleased to speak with Premier Malinauskas, current AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan and incoming Chief Executive Andrew Dillon, about exploring opportunities to add to the match-day experience on The Parade and Norwood Oval.”

Mayor Bria said the Council was also pleased to learn that the Hawthorn Football Club, which lost in a nail-biting match against GWS at Norwood Oval on Sunday, 16 April, had recently expressed to the AFL its interest in returning to the Oval to play its Gather Round matches in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

“I am very keen to start a conversation with Hawthorn Chief Executive Justin Reeves to better understand his Club’s ideas and aspirations for Norwood Oval and The Parade, should these matches materialise.

“It is clear from the very strong representation of Hawks’ fans at the game, they see an opportunity to build and expand their supporter base in Adelaide and playing at Norwood Oval is an important part of that equation.

“As with any new major event, there is room for improvement and the Council is determined to learn from this experience and identify opportunities to make the 2024 AFL Gather Round an even greater success, should Norwood Oval have the honour of again being selected to host matches.”

Mayor Bria said feedback from traders on The Parade and the precinct “have been extremely positive” with many appreciating the opportunity to be part of Gather Round which resulted in significant national exposure and a predicted economic benefit.

“Although the Council will not get a clearer picture of the economic benefit from the two matches that we played at Norwood Oval until the end of May, when it receives Spendmapp data, it expects sales, particularly in the hospitality sector, to be significantly higher compared to the same time last year.”

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

Mayor Robert Bria said the Council is thrilled to be able to share a rare sneak peek into the history of the Norwood Football Club, using items collected by the Club’s History Committee, dating back to 1878.

“Just this month, thousands of South Australians and interstate fans flocked to Adelaide’s Premier Main Street, The Parade, the home of the Redlegs at Norwood Oval,” he said.

“With the excitement of the Gather Round being announced for another three years, we want to continue the momentum and remind everyone of the history and culture of one of the most coveted clubs in South Australia, the Norwood Football Club.

“Beyond the Bleachers is a treasure trove of memorabilia, which had been secreted away and rarely seen by the public.”

The exhibition of memorabilia at the Cultural Heritage Centre features an extensive range of memorabilia showcasing the Redlegs’ triumphs, struggles and enduring legacy including:

• heritage guernseys;
• photographs;
• trophies, medals and a timeline of premierships;
• rolling television footage of Club’s history making moments;
• photos of the Oval’s changing landscape;
• homemade memorabilia and;
• the Club’s various logos and mascots.

“Significantly, some of the features remind us of the heroic contribution that Norwood Football Club players made serving in the armed forces and poignantly, the young men who tragically didn’t make it back home.”

Beyond the Bleachers is on display at the Cultural Heritage Centre, located in the St Peters Library, 101 Payneham Road, St Peters, until 30 May.

There is no need to book, simply visit the Centre during Library opening hours.

For more information phone 08 8334 0262.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077

The winners received their awards from Mayor Robert Bria and the Minister for Small and Family Business, Hon Andrea Michaels MP, at the St Peters Banquet Hall last night.  

The event was also attended by City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters’ Elected Members, a diverse range of business owners, their family and friends, as well as representatives from Solstice Media, who worked closely with the Council to deliver the successful Awards program.

Mayor Bria said the Awards reinforced that the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters has some of the most highly regarded, resilient and creative businesses in South Australia.

This year the Awards attracted a record number of votes with, 11,062 across 11 categories.

Congratulating the finalists and winners at the event, Mayor Bria said: “It is one thing to be hardworking, another to be seen and heard. But it’s essential to be celebrated and acknowledged and that is what makes tonight such a special occasion.”

“This is the sixth Eastside Business Award ceremony and each year I stand here and feel a huge sense of pride to share this night with talented, driven, skilful and creative members of our community,” he added.

“On behalf of the Council, I extend my gratitude and appreciation for all of the businesses, the finalists and the winners, who have worked so hard and contributed significantly to the social and economic fabric of our City.

“To be an Award winner or finalist, shows that a business has had an exceptional impact not only on an individual, but also the wider community and that is something to be immensely proud of."

Hall of Fame winner, Gelato Bello, which opened in Glynde 27 years ago, still have its traditional gelateria shop front their today.

Not only do they sell from their Glynde store, but they also stock tubs of gelati in a number of supermarket retailers around the Country.

“This year’s other winners – from Mary MacKillop Museum, to Taste of Nepal, Cheeky Grin Coffee, Reform Distilling and Marden Continental - highlights the diversity of our economic community and why NPSP is such a popular place to shop, dine, grab a coffee or beer or enjoy a cultural experience.”

The winner in each category received $1,000 of digital advertising services with Solstice Media and $1,000 of business advisory services thanks to John Zerella and his team at AFM Services.

The businesses crowned the Best in the East for 2023 are:

Hall of Fame (20+ years)
Gelato Bello
87 Glynburn Road, Glynde

Best Arts & Culture/Entertainment
Mary MacKillop Museum
4 High Street, Kensington

Best Café/Restaurant
Taste of Nepal
300 The Parade, Kensington

Best Coffee
Cheeky Grin Coffee.
74 Gage Street, Firle

Best Customer Experience
Wheel&Barrow Homewares
140 The Parade, Norwood

Best Fashion Retailer
Boutique Mon Ami
121 Glynburn Road, Glynde

Best Food/Beverage Manufacturer
Reform Distilling
91 Little Rundle Street, Kent Town

Best Hair/Beauty Salon
Sueno Hair
326b Magill Road, St Morris

Best Independent Small Business
Marden Continental
Marden Shopping Centre
Shop 6, 9-21 Lower Portrush Road. 

Best Professional Service
Explore Potential Consulting
18 Fullarton Road, Norwood 

Best Pub/Bar
The Colonist
44 The Parade, Norwood

Media enquiries: Robert Bria – 0431 754 077