Skip to Content

Mayor's Speeches

Keep up to date with a selection of Mayor Robert Bria's speeches throughout the year. 

Australia Day Celebration & Citizenship Ceremony 2024

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Robert Bria.  I am the Mayor of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

Welcome to St Peters Street for the 2024 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony. 

I would like to invite Uncle Tamaru to perform the official Welcome to Country.

Uncle Tamaru performs Welcome to Country 

I would like to acknowledge and welcome my fellow Elected Members:

  • John Callisto
  • Claire Clutterham
  • Kevin Duke
  • Hugh Holfeld
  • Garry Knoblauch
  • Victoria McFarlane
  • Christel Mex
  • Kester Moorhouse
  • Grant Piggott, and
  • Sue Whitington. 

A warm welcome also to:

  • Hon Reggie Martin MLC
  • Senator Marielle Smith
  • Mr James Stevens MP, Federal Member for Sturt

Welcome to Council staff who are present here today, in particular the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mario Barone PSM and I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Mark Le Messurier. 

We’ll hear from Mark shortly. 

And I am excited to welcome the Vocal Hub Collective, who will perform three songs for us this morning.  

Finally, congratulations and welcome to 40 very special people who will become Australian citizens today. 

Uncle Tamaru performs Welcome to Country

We have just had the privilege of listening to Uncle Tamaru, Kaurna Elder, deliver the official Welcome to Country.

Uncle Tamaru, thank you for the privilege of sharing your culture and history with us and inviting us to walk alongside you on the land of your ancestors.

We recognise that for some Australians – both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – the 26th of January is a difficult day. 

I am sure there will be many conversations about the meaning and symbolism about this day, just as there has been on previous years. 

While opinions may differ, we all share the responsibility to uphold the democratic values of Australia which allows us to have that conversation to voice our differences. 

Because the voice of every Australian is entitled to be heard, and the view of every Australian deserves to be respected.

While our past may have taken different paths, let us resolve to work together and walk together on the same path into the future, leaning in to bend the arc of history towards a more reconciled Australia.

An Australia where the ancient history of our aboriginal people sits alongside the contemporary history of Australians from many nations. 

Ours is an imperfect nation, and the Australian story has chapters that make for difficult reading.

And yet, in so many pages we find inspiration from the selfless deeds and heroics among its 26 million plus characters - our fellow Australians.

We learned about some of those Australians last night when the Prime Minister announced the winners of the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

  • Community Hero of the Year - David Elliott 
  • Young Australia of the Year – ​Emma McKeon
  • Senior Australian of the Year –Yalma Yunupingu​
  • Australian of the Year - Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Georgina Long​​​

We congratulate them and all other finalists for these Awards. An incredible achievement.

We also acknowledge everyone who received Australia Day Honours and thank them for their service.

And, importantly, we recognise the millions of ‘quiet’ Australians.  

You will not read their names in the newspaper, or hear their voices on the radio, nor see their faces on the television.

They are our neighbours and friends in our communities, living in suburbs and towns across our great land, going about their business quietly and efficiently, without fuss or fanfare, seeking neither recognition or reward offering help with humility.

It is on their shoulders we stand on today.

It is not by the example of their power but the power of their example that shows us the way to a better Australia. 

Among them are our Police, Ambos and Emergency Services workers, who toiled for weeks to save lives and protect property in the face of raging fires and ravaging floods in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. 

And who will put their lives on the line time and time again – truly selfless heroes.

People who responded to a crisis during Christmas when they should have been spending precious time at home with family and friends. 

Citizen of the Year Awards

LOCAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

(Cr Christel Mex to read citation)

I am delighted to now announce that the Local Citizen of the Year for 2024 is Ravi Hammond.

Ravi's contributions extend far beyond “participation”.

In addition to securing third place globally in the NASA Space Robotics Challenge, completing internships at prestigious tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, in 2020 Ravi established "Ravi's Study Program" (also known as RSP).

This annual bootcamp is designed to train programming students to excel in coding interviews, a critical hurdle when pursuing roles in prestigious tech companies. 

Within three years, 131 students, have graduated from RSP resulting in over 200 job offers from industry giants.

Ravi has had many opportunities to use his skills to pursue personal profit but instead invested his time and own funds to help and support others.

His work is a labour of love, a genuine act of community service.

Through this program, Ravi has cultivated a community of students who have thrived under his guidance, who now generously volunteer to support the program and assist other like-minded students - paying forward the help they received. 

Ravi is widely regarded as the most influential figure at the University of Adelaide, particularly in the tech realm.

Recently, Ravi has established Ravi’s Study Program as a not-for-profit charity, aiming to expand the program nationally. 

It is not just Australians who have had the privilege of accessing this program. It has been recognised across the globe from students in England, America, Pakistan, India, China, and more.

As we look to the future, Ravi embarks on his next journey to Oxford University for six months, a step towards pursuing his dream of becoming an Artificial Intelligence researcher. 

Ravi’s approach is about building confidence, community, and opportunities for real-world success for both personally and for everyone he meets.

Please join me in congratulating Ravi.


YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

(Cr Hugh Holfeld reads citation)

I am very pleased to announce that the Local Young Citizen of the Year Award goes to Abbey Wilkinson.

Abbey is an inspiring community leader, demonstrating remarkable mentorship abilities and a capacity for driving positive change.

Each year, 12 young people aged between 14 to 18, are selected to be members of the South Australian Youth Forum (SAYF). 

After the program ends, Forum members are invited to continue with the next year’s members as mentors and become part of the Executive Team. 

Abbey was selected to be a South Australian Youth Forum member in 2022 and progressed to become an Executive member and mentor for the Forum in 2023.

In 2022, Abbey contributed her passion, commitment and dedication to youth empowerment to help create, deliver and present the SA Youth Forum Annual Report.

This involved collaboration with Federal and State Ministers, Local Councils, Academics from Universities across Australia, the Commissioner for Young People and Children plus many more organisations and representatives.

Abbey helped lead the Forum in 2023 and, as such, has become a co-author for the 2023 SA Youth Forum Annual Report. 

By becoming an Executive member in 2023, Abbey has demonstrated active citizenship through mentoring the new young people selected for the Forum’s program. 

Abbey has actively collaborated with SA Power Networks as a youth representative, offering valuable insights into their Regulatory Reset 2025–2030 Plan. 

Additionally, she has contributed to the development of the Department of Human Services' new Youth Action Plan and played a pivotal role in the Uniting Communities #UnlockingLoneliness campaign.  

And she has worked with Department of Human Services (DHS) on its coercive control campaign, The See the Signs Campaign. 

In addition to Abbey’s work with the Forum, she was also elected as a Year 12 Prefect by her peers.

Overall, Abbey embodies kindness, determination, respect, and passion as a dedicated citizen and community leader. 

Despite being only 18, she remains unwavering in her commitment to amplifying the voices of young people, actively working towards ensuring their perspectives are heard and valued in decision-making arenas.

Please join me in congratulating Abbey.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR

(Cr Claire Clutterham to read the citation)

I am delighted to announce the Community event of the Year Award is The Kaurna Cultural Ceremony was organised by the Kensington Residents Association.

The event was held on 9 July 2023 in Borthwick Park, in Kensington along Second Creek.

Borthwick Park is located on an ancient place known as Karra Yerta and Kaurna People lived around the creek, gathering for ceremony and cultural activities for thousands of years. 

Historic sources describe the original landscape of the eastern plains as: “...a magnificent gum forest with an undergrowth of Kangaroo Grass so high that people travelling between Adelaide and Kensington lost their way.”

The purpose of the event, which attracted about 100 citizens, was to engage Kaurna leaders to collaborate with the community, in order to honour culture, language, wisdom and knowledge of country.

The event, which was guided by Kaurna Leaders, included ceremony, singing, dancing, storytelling, and cultural education around bush foods, native animals and medicinal plants. 

It encouraged people to take greater responsibility in caring for the environment and make choices in their own lives that contribute to replenishing the earth's fragile resources in small ways.

The Kaurna Cultural Ceremony helped deepen respect for each other and reinforce the importance of being part of a compassionate community in an ancient and special place. 

This event will catalyse future cultural activity and learning and demonstrate how local communities can lead and benefit from genuine, heartfelt reconciliation. 

The Borthwick Park Biodiversity Project will continue to play a critical role in regularly bringing Volunteers of all ages and the broader community together to progress future cultural and environmental activity.

It is difficult to predict the unique and ongoing value of developing a genuine and trusted relationship between the Kaurna and local communities, but it is anticipated that this event will uphold future cultural activity and learning and demonstrate how local communities can lead and benefit from genuine, heartfelt reconciliation. 

The Borthwick Park Biodiversity Project will continue to play a critical role in regularly bringing volunteers of all ages and the broader community together to progress future cultural and environmental activity. 

Please join me in congratulating the Kensington Residents Association, and welcome Ms Trish Hansen to accept the award on behalf of the association.

Australia Day Ambassador

Ladies and gentlemen, all around Australia - in ceremonies such as this, there are Australia Day Ambassadors attending to talk about what our great country means to them.

I am delighted to introduce one of these Australia Day Ambassadors - who joins us today. 

Mark Le Messurier has devoted his life to improving the self-worth, wellbeing, mental health and life outcomes of young people. 

He focuses on those he calls the ‘tough kids’ – those who are struggling in some capacity. 

After a 20-year teaching career, Mark opened a private-practice consultancy to mentor children and teenagers who needed support beyond the school system, and to coach parents. 

His goal has always been to create environments that set children and adults up for success. 

Mark’s generosity and consideration for others is profound, far reaching, and life changing. He’s helped many families and is a relatable role model and mentor.

Please join me in making Mark feel welcome.

Mark Le Messurier delivers speech

Vocal Hub Collective performance

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to introduce the Vocal Hub Collective who will perform three truly iconic Australian songs for us this morning:

  • I am Australian
  • Everyone’s Waiting 
  • You’re the Voice 

Please join me in welcoming the Vocal Hub Collective.

Vocal Hub collective performs

Thank you so much - a magnificent performance.

We will now take a short break and come back for our Citizenship Ceremony.

Citizenship Ceremony

As much as today is a day to remember our ancient history and First Nations people, it is also a day to reflect on our modern history as a people from many nations.

Since the end of the Second World War, almost nine million migrants and refugees – the equivalent of one third of our population - have made their way to Australia.

As a child of Italian migrants who settled here in the early 1960s, today is a reminder of my own family’s migrant journey to Australia. 

For me, it is a time to give thanks to the country which gave my late mother and father the life-changing opportunity to come out of the long shadows of poverty into the bright sunshine of prosperity.

Migrants and refugees have come here not with the expectation of living the high life, but with the hope of living a full life - a living of purpose, a life of dignity and a life happiness.  

To the soon-to-be citizens, we are humbled and honoured that you have chosen Australia to be your home to spend the rest of your life, to raise your children and grandchildren, develop your talents and make a contribution to your community. 

In a few moments, you will make a simple, elegant and solemn pledge not only to this gathering, but to the rest of the nation.

It is a pledge that give you rights but also responsibilities. 

For taking this last step to join the ranks of other Australian citizens, we say a heartfelt “thank you.”

Before I ask candidates to take the pledge, it is my duty under the Citizenship Regulations (2007) to read to the following:

Australian citizenship represents full and formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Australian citizenship is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity.

Persons on whom Australian citizenship is conferred enjoy these rights and undertake to accept these obligations:

(a) By pledging loyalty to Australia and its people;

(b) By sharing their democratic beliefs;

(c) By respecting their rights and liberties; and

(d) By upholding and obeying the laws of Australia.

I now invite Senator Marielle Smith to the lectern to read a message from the Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, and then address you.

Thank you for deciding to become an Australian citizen.

Today you join a nation that is one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies, with around half of all Australians either born overseas, or with at least one parent born overseas.  

In Australia, everyone can be proud of who they are - and everyone should be respected, valued and feel a sense of belonging.   

We are privileged to share this beautiful country with the world’s oldest continuing culture. 

This is a fundamental part of who we are.    

For more than 60,000 years First Nations peoples have cared for country. 

Appreciating and understanding this truth, is a vital part of what it means to be Australian.   

Australians are united by our shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and to freedom of speech, religion and association.   

Our diversity is our greatest strength, and we prosper by embracing this.   

We believe in a society in which everyone is equal, regardless of their gender, faith, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, national or ethnic origin. 

Ours is the land of the fair go, in which respect and compassion underpin our care for each other and our willingness to reach out to those around us in times of need.    

By becoming an Australian citizen, you make a commitment to these values, and to contribute to our evolving Australian story.   

On behalf of the Australian Government, heartfelt congratulations on becoming an Australian citizen.

Thank you, 

I would ask those candidates for Citizenship who will be taking the pledge (you may choose to say the words under God), to please stand and repeat after me:

From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people. Whose:

Democratic beliefs I share

Rights and liberties I respect, and 

Whose laws I will uphold and obey

Thank you, will you please be seated.

Please join me in congratulating to our new Australian citizens.

As I call your name, will you please come forward to receive your Certificate of Citizenship and a gift.

(Presentation of certificates)

To our new Australian citizens, I am sure you will all give much to Australia and to our city, and that you will all help to ensure that our nation’s freedom, independence and multicultural values are preserved for future generations.

As Australian citizens, you now have the right to vote, to stand for public office, and to travel on an Australian passport as ambassadors for Australia. 

Your right to participate in the political process enables you to make a greater contribution to the social and economic life of this country.

I now encourage you all to stand and repeat the Affirmation to Australia after me, and then remain standing for the National Anthem of Australia to be sung by Mr Lou Pisaniello.

As an Australian citizen,

I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people,

Whose democratic beliefs I share,

Whose rights and liberties I respect,

And whose laws I uphold and obey. 

Ladies and gentleman, if you can, will you please now be upstanding for our national anthem.

(Lou to sing National Anthem)

Thank you, Lou.

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today’s formalities.

In closing, I would like to thank:

  • Uncle Taramu, Kaurna Elder;
  • Hon Reggie Martin MLC;
  • Senator Marielle Smith;
  • Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Mark Le Messurier
  • Vocal Hub Collective 
  • St Peters Rotary (barbecue breakfast)
  • La La Latte (coffee)
  • Kirsty Mann Food & Flowers (breakfast)

And of course, the wonderful Council staff who organised today’s event.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.   

St Joseph’s Memorial School Graduation Dinner 2023

Good evening, everyone.

Hon Steven Marshall MP, Member for Dunstan,

Mr Adam Slater, Principal of St Joseph’s Memorial School,

Mr Franco Canil, Acting APRIM,

Father Chris Jenkins,

Teachers and Staff of St Joseph’s Memorial School,

Parents, Grandparents, caregivers, family and friends of the graduating students,

And most importantly, the Graduating Class of 2023.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be here for another Year 6 Graduation Dinner and celebration.

I want to thank Acting APRIM Franco Canil for the kind invitation to what is undoubtedly a highlight of the school year.

In the normal course of events, I come to the St Joseph’s Memorial School Year 6 Graduation Dinner in my capacity as mayor.

However, tonight is the second and the last time I am also here in my capacity as a parent of a graduating student – the first time being for my son, Christian, in 2019 and tonight it is for Charlotte. 

As far as emotions go, let me tell you it is much easier just speaking as the mayor!

We have come here tonight to celebrate our beautiful children, the Graduating Class of 2023.

We have come here tonight to mark the end of one chapter in their young lives and walk with them into the next chapter - that being secondary school.

I am sure for many of us when we woke up this morning and realised this significance of today, our thoughts were of our children as babies. 

Back then, their graduation from primary school seemed like an eternity away.

And yet, here we are. 

Where has the time gone?

To all of the parents and caregivers here tonight, I want to say that I understand the many emotions you are experiencing right now: joy, sadness, pride, excitement and yes, perhaps even relief.

But, you should all be very proud of your children and all they have accomplished to date.  

In Omnibus Caritas: In all things love.

St Joseph’s Memorial School is not only a place that teaches the importance of a love of learning, but also the importance of learning to love.

Guided by the example of Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop, our children have learned to love each other and importantly themselves, as young people - made in the image of God - all worthy of affection, attention, inspiration and of course, an education.   

How proud she would be of them right now. 

As students of this school they are part of the wonderful tradition of learning she established 151 years ago. 

That is why St Joseph’s is such a special place, because it respects children and their right to be children. 

But, St Joseph’s is not just a place to learn the skills of maths and English, it is also a place to help children learn skills for life; respect for others, working as a team, helping friends and embracing diversity. 

To the graduating students, the motto for the school is the foundation upon which you can build your future. 

It is faith, learning and community that have helped you become the unique and beautiful young people you are.

You are children that your parents love.

You are students this school is proud to call its own.

And, you are young citizens your local community, your state, your country and indeed the world is waiting for to lead it in the future.

To all the teachers, congratulations and thank you for the important role you have played in developing these healthy bodies, enquiring minds and spiritual souls. 

To borrow a phrase from Harry Edwards, thank you for teaching our children to dream with their eyes open.

To Chris Heaney, the Year 6 teacher this year, thank you for everything you have done to prepare our children to take the next step in their lives.

As we reflect on their primary school years, we know St Joseph’s is only the first step in our children’s long journey.

And what a journey it has been.

We can’t wait to see what that future brings.

It is an exciting future of hope and possibilities that is only limited by your imagination and your desire to succeed. 

And as much as we will continue to walk alongside you, in the years ahead you will discover one day that you are walking alone.

This is not because we have abandoned you. 

No, it is because we want to see how far you can you without us. And, you will go far!

And now, if you will indulge me.

For 15 years St Joseph’s Memorial School has been a part of my family’s life.

Just as Charlotte and her classmates are saying goodbye, so too is the Bria family.

Like all parents embarking our children’s learning journey, Pina and I were nervous about sending our children to this school.

But we have no regrets. 

We leave with full hearts, knowing our children were taught by great teachers who genuinely care and made wonderful friendships along the way, many of which I know will continue for many years.

We also know that St Joseph’s Memorial School has given us much more than we have given it.

And so, from me, Pina, Isabella, Christian and Charlotte we say, “thank you for the memories.”

Almost fifty years ago, the English singer Cat Stevens, known today as Yusuf Islam, wrote a song called ‘Remember the days of the old schoolyard.’

The opening verse of the song goes like this:

Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you?
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love, yes, I do
Oh and I remember you.

This iconic song is an adult’s fond recollection of their cherished  schooldays, and most importantly, of the people they shared those precious days with.

To the Graduating Class of 2023.

I hope that when you walked out the gates of St Joseph’s for the final time as students, you left with your school bag full of memories. 

Days when you shared so much time with other children.

I hope you remember the days of sport and sausage sizzles, days of events and excursions.

I hope you remember the days of art and algebra, and of course, days of love and laughter. 

And in 10, 20, or even 50 years time, when you see an old class-mate, I hope that your first words are: “I remember you.”  

Goodbye.

Good Luck.

And, God Bless.

Valedictory Remarks 2023

In preparing my Valedictory remarks for tonight, I reflected on the past 12 months and all that has been achieved in what has been a period of change and renewal.

Firstly, I want to thank and congratulate Councillors Clutterham, Holfeld, McFarlane, Piggott and Robinson for your efforts in your first 12 months as Elected Members of this Council.

The first year after an election can be difficult; understanding Meeting Procedures, Induction training, constant meetings and establishing relationships with your fellow Elected Members and Council staff can take time.

At the Swearing-in ceremony just over a year ago, I said I looked forward “to your energy and enthusiasm to bring fresh ideas to the Council Chamber.”

All of you have provided that and I sincerely thank you.

I also advised the returning Members that I would look to them to “help me provide the leadership, support and guidance that is needed to continue having a cohesive and functioning Council”.

All of you have done that and I thank you, as well.

Combined, your energy, enthusiasm, support and guidance have contributed to us operating as a cohesive and functioning Council.

While I will never claim this Council is perfect, I want to say how proud I am that we have stayed ‘above the fray’ and not succumbed to the temptation of copy-cat behaviour regarding what I consider to be the self-indulgent, destructive and juvenile antics by some Elected Members in other Councils by introducing ‘culture war’ debates on issues about flags, prayers, the Voice Referendum, the Kaurna Acknowledgment and when to hold Australia Day celebrations, not to mention where portraits are hung and propagating ridiculous conspiracy theories.

In my opinion, those debates and the associated media coverage have done enormous damage to the sector, and only serves to undermine Local Government’s claim as a responsible, trusted and respected sphere of government.

However, as I have said on many occasions, we are only one decision away from a bad headline.

In that regard, we should always be prepared to hit the ‘Pause’ button, hold a mirror up to ourselves, take time for some self-reflection and ask ourselves and each other, if our words and actions are consistent not only with the values of the organisation but also with the priorities of the people whom we have the honour to serve.

I believe that over the past year we have been focused on our community and have made an excellent start to a new Council term with many achievements to celebrate and be proud of, including:

  • Australia Day celebrations held on Australia Day;
  • Summer Concert Series and St Peters Fair;
  • Two matches at Norwood Oval as part of 2023 AFL Gather Round, which injected millions into the local economy;
  • 6th Eastside Business Awards with a record number of nominations (11,062);
  • 0% rate (average) increase – almost half the inflation rate at the time and one of the lowest increase of any metropolitan Council, together with a projected surplus of $1.37m;
  • record expenditure in infrastructure renewal - $13m (roads, footpaths, kerbs and water tables and road reseals);
  • five (5) Citizenship Ceremonies, which saw 183 people naturalised as Australian Citizens;
  • work starting on a new facility at Cruikshank Reserve, Maylands;
  • the redevelopment of Dunstan Adventure Playground, St Peters (now completed);
  • next stage of the program along the River Torrens Linear Park to widen pathways for pedestrian and cyclists;
  • work starting on the $20million Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Project;
  • record 660 trees planted – two thirds of them planted in suburbs with the lowest percentage of tree canopy coverage as identified in the Tree Strategy (2022-2027);
  • almost 1,000 people attending ‘Raising the Bar’ events across the city;
  • completion of the 2023 bi-ennial Community Survey;
  • Christmas Pageant attended by an at least 15,000 locals and visitors;
  • celebration of National Volunteers Week for our Council-registered Volunteers with a barbecue lunch in May and annual Volunteers Christmas Dinner by attended by about 250 people last month;
  • adoption of an Access & Inclusion Strategy;
  • development of our first-ever Volunteering Strategy
  • update of CityPlan 2030; and
  • hopefully next week the redevelopment of Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

This is only a small sample what we have achieved, but more importantly, they are examples of what we can achieve together when we work as a team, because Together Everyone Achieves More!

Take Gather Round, an idea the Council quickly jumped on at the last meeting of the previous Council term. 

We put our hand up to say we were interested in hosting matches, we committed funding to invest in infrastructure at Norwood Oval, we acted professionally and exercised great agility and flexibility in our negotiations with multiple parties, and we got two matches.

The results are there for all to see.

Not only millions of dollars injected into the local economy but the development of a strong and trusting working relationship with the AFL, national exposure for our city for a week and now, after six months of negotiations, a return of two matches for next year’s edition of Gather Round.

If this isn’t an example of leadership and vision on the part of the Council I don’t know what is?

This is what Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council is known for; seizing opportunities as they arise, taking calculated risks and continually looking for comparative and competitive advantages to set us apart from other Councils, including Councils in the eastern region, as a model Local Government Authority.

Yes, taking advantage of these opportunities can cost money and I acknowledge that sometimes the budget bottom line can take a hit.

But, as the LGA President Dean Johnson said at the recent LGA Annual General Meeting, “Local Government is much more than dollars and cents on a spreadsheet.”

At is core, Local Government is about improving the quality of life of communities.

It therefore makes no sense for us to sit back, play it safe and choose the easy option of doing nothing out of fear we will make a mistake or to avoid criticism by our community or the media for spending money.

Ratepayers work hard for their money to contribute to the Council Budget, so it is only fair that in return the Council ensures the money in the budget works hard for ratepayers.

With this in mind, we should look at this year as the beginning of our success, not the end.

However, it will be our action over the next three years that will determine whether this is will be our best term on Council or whether it will be our last.

To quote Conrad Hilton, “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”

This will require courage, conviction and confidence in our decision-making.

It also means always putting the interests of the wider community before the self-interest of a few, regardless of their status, wealth, power or influence - real or perceived. 

In closing, I want to thank all Elected Members for supporting me and representing me at various community events and functions over the past twelve months.

I hope you have enjoyed the opportunity to get out into the community on behalf of the Council.

More importantly, I want to thank you all for supporting each other, which I believe is helping to foster a wonderful esprit de corps.

On behalf of all Elected Members, I want to thank the Executive Leadership Team, led by the Chief Executive Officer.

Every year is a challenge, but this year was even more so. Organisational changes, combined with a tight labour market, and high staff turnover contributed to additional layers of complexity in an already dynamic and stressful environment. 

Nevertheless, it is clear there is a fresh breeze is blowing through the Town Hall and another new season of success and excitement is around the corner.   

I also want to thank and congratulate every other staff member who, every day, demonstrate commitment and professionalism in performing their tasks and wear the values of the organisation on their sleeve. 

Thanks also to the more than 200 Council Volunteers who selflessly give their time, skills, knowledge and compassion to others in our community. By lending a hand they are making our community a better place and ensuring the lonely and isolated stay connected and are valued as residents of our city.   

I also want to thank the Independent Members of the Council Assessment Panel, Audit & Risk Committee, Road Safety and Traffic Management Committee, Norwood Parade Precinct Committee, Business & Economic Development Advisory Committee and East Waste Audit Committee for their contribution to our City. We are fortunate to be able to draw on their enormous experience, skills and passion.

And finally, a big “thank you” to the residents and business community of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

Their feedback, complaints, suggestions, engagement in consultation processes, attendance at community events, interactions with staff and Elected Members is critical to local democracy working and holding us - their elected representatives - to account to make our city a better, fairer and more inclusive place to live, work and play. 

From my family to yours, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. 

Volunteers Christmas Dinner 2023

I am delighted and indeed honoured to once again be here with you for the 2023 City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Volunteers Christmas Dinner.

We have a wonderful evening ahead of us, with some good food, great entertainment from the band Jump ‘n’ Jive, and of course, we will take time to recognise a number of Volunteers who have reached milestones in their Years of Service to our community.

I am delighted to welcome our distinguished guests:

  • Hon Reggie Martin MLC, representing the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia and the Hon Nat Cook MP,  Minister for Human Services
  • Hon Steven Marshall MP, Member for Dunstan
  • Hon Vincent Tarzia MP, Member for Hartley
  • James Stevens MP, Federal Member or Sturt

And my fellow Elected Members:

  • Cr Connie Granozio
  • Cr Scott Sims
  • Cr Christel Mex
  • Cr Garry Knoblauch
  • Cr Sue Whitington
  • Cr Hugh Holfeld
  • Cr Victoria McFarlane
  • Cr John Callisto

and their partners.

We have apologies from:

Mr Hamilton Calder, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering SA/NT

A warm welcome also to the Council staff with us this evening, in particular:

  • Chief Executive Officer Mr Mario Barone PSM
  • Co-ordinator Volunteer Services, Mr Nigel Jordan 

Ladies and gentlemen

Tonight, we have come together to once again reflect on the past 12 months and recognise the wonderful work that you, as Volunteers, do for our community.

Let me begin my remarks with two simple words: “Thank you.”

Thank you for everything you do.

Thank you for caring about others less fortunate than you, less mobile than you.

Thank you for driving our community buses, for removing graffiti from buildings and other infrastructure, for making Christmas and the festive season a bit brighter.

Thank you for visiting the isolated and lonely, caring for our environment, putting Library materials away and researching our City’s rich history.

Without your selfless dedication to others, our community would not be the structured and beautiful place it is today.

Through you actions, our community can stay active, vibrant, and connected.

The work you do is a constant reminder of the importance to help others, to understand their lives and their needs. 

For me, Volunteers are people who do things today for people they thought about yesterday and think today about the things they will do for people tomorrow.

You volunteer because you want to make a difference.

You volunteer because you not only understand community but also want to build community.

In this sense, volunteering is not just an offer to lend a hand, it is an invitation to join hands.

Because when we join hands, whether it is to give help or offer hope, we are giving a part of ourselves to our friends, our neighbours, and our community.

But more than that; we are recognising that while some things can be do alone, other things can only happen when people goodwill work together, each of us sewing our own patch to what the Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr. referred o as the “great quilt of unity.”[i] 

It is also worth noting that one in every three of Councils’ Volunteers lives outside of the Cit of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. 

What an extraordinary compliment you pay our community.

Whatever your reason for Volunteering, we are humbled by your generosity of spirit and your dedication to service.

I am truly humbled to be amongst so many people, from different backgrounds with different life experiences and unique personal stories who have joined forces in the great cause for humanity that is volunteering.

In 2022-23, the Council’s 202 volunteers donated nearly 6,300 hours of their time, which if calculated in dollars terms, was worth almost $283,000.

But we all know that the value of Volunteering is not so much financial as much as it is visceral.

Volunteering comes from the heart.

Ladies and gentlemen.

We now come to the point in the evening when we recognise a number of volunteers for their years of service.

  • Terry Dickerson (5 years)
  • Simon Fahey (5 years)
  • Bob Hill (5 years)
  • Margaret Minney (5 years)
  • Nick Nash (5 years)
  • Mick Roche (5 years)
  • Libbie Coote (10 years)
  • David Cree (10 years)
  • Cathy Fowler (15 years)
  • Christine Culbertson (25 years)
  • Christine Ward (30 years)
  • Barbara Cook (35 years).

Ladies and gentlemen.

That concludes the official proceedings for this evening.

Once again, on behalf of the Norwood Payneham and St Peters community I thank you for your extraordinary efforts over the past year.

I sincerely hope you continue to be part of the team over the years to come and encourage your family and friends to become a member of the best club in the world – the club of Volunteers.

Please enjoy the rest of the evening.

Thank you.

[i] Reverend Jesse Jackson, 1988 Democratic Convention, Atlanta, USA

ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2023

Mayor Robert Bria: Norwood Soldier’s Memorial, Osmond Terrace, Norwood, Tuesday 25 April 2023

We gather to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and remember all who fell in the Great War and all subsequent wars.    

On the 5 August 1914, the day after Britain declared war against Germany, Australia’s Prime Minister Joseph Cook told the country: “Australia is now at war.’[1]

The Great War was a devastating conflict that took the flower of Australia’s youth and forever changed our young nation and hundreds of communities within it.     

A generation had not yet passed since Federation, and yet it was the Federation generation that was summonsed to give testimony to our national identity and character half a world away, first at Gallipoli and then on the Western Front.

From cities, towns and villages they came.

Men and boys – some as young as 14 - responded to the call to arms to fight in a war that broke out in Europe one day and touched Australia the next.

They lived in blue stone villas and worker’s cottages.

They came from the middle class and the working class.

They worked on farms and in factories, in shipyards and on railyards.

They were Anglicans and Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics, Jews and Gentiles.

They were educated in public schools and private colleges.

They were Australian-born and they were migrants.

And yet, for all their differences they were drawn together for a common cause: to loyally serve their King and the British Empire against the Central Powers.  

During more than four years of bloody fighting, 60,000 Australian soldiers would lose their lives and 150,000 more would be wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.  

For Australia’s wartime Prime Minister Billy Hughes, the enormous sacrifice of a nation of only five million people weighed heavily on his mind at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

When the American president Woodrow Wilson challenged the Prime Minister’s claim for Australia to be represented in its own right at the conference rather than as  part of the British Empire, Hughes responded: “I speak for 60,000 dead. For how many do you speak?”[2]

Hughes was speaking for Norman William Gilbert Selth, a tailor from Beulah Road, Norwood who was killed in action 20 days before his twentieth birthday.[3]

He was speaking for Charles George Compton, a bricklayer who was born in Sussex, England and lived at 1 Orange Lane, Norwood. Compton was killed in action on 2 July 1918. [4]

Hughes was speaking for Walter Willoughby Hosking, who was educated at Norwood Public School (now Norwood Primary School). Hosking made the supreme sacrifice on 4 July 1916.[5]   

He was speaking for Arthur Harold Funnell, a railway clerk from Elizabeth Street, Norwood who was killed in action on 2 April 1917.[6]  

And, Hughes was speaking for the Nation brothers: Clifford, a baker; Ralph, a carpenter; and Eric, who all attended Norwood High School and died within three months of each other between March and June 1917.[7]  

Almost a century ago on 2 June 1923, a crowd of more than three thousand people gathered at this very location to witness the official unveiling of the Norwood Soldier’s Memorial to immortalise the local men who fought and died in Australia’s name.

One newspaper reporting the event had this to say:  

“His Excellency the Governor, in performing the unveiling ceremony, made a fine, loyal and patriotic speech, reminding the citizens of the heroism of the fallen, and the reasons for their sacrifices. It would be for those who remain to think of these things and be worthy of their sacrifice, to see that these men did not die in vain.”[8]

One hundred years on, it is for us who remain to remember the names of the men on these plaques – some of whom lived only a few hundred metres from where we stand – and the names on plaques on similar memorials across Australia and remind each other of the reasons for their sacrifice.

These brave men, who with the New Zealand brothers in arms, who gave up their tomorrows so we can live today.

Lest We Forget.

[1] The Advertiser, 5 August 1914, p. 14

[2] asprisrategist.org.au

[3] awm.gov.au

[4] awm.gov.au

[5] awm.gov.au

[6] awm.gov.au

[7] awm.gov.au

[8] The Australian Jewish Herald, 22 June 1923, p.5.

Valedictory Remarks at The Swearing-In Ceremony for the 2022-2026 Council

Good Evening 

Welcome to the 2022 Swearing-in Ceremony for the new City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council.

It’s great to see so many smiling, happy faces here. 

I would especially like to extend a very sincere congratulations and warm welcome to the five new Elected Members: Claire Clutterham, Hugh Holfeld, Victoria McFarlane, Grant Piggott and Josh Robinson.

This is an exciting and memorable evening for you. I hope you enjoy it.

I also welcome your family and friends who have supported you during your campaign.

I am sure they are very proud of you and are thrilled to be able to be a part of this significant moment in your life.

Welcome also to the returning members: John Callisto, Kevin Duke, Connie Granozio, Garry Knoblauch, Christel Mex, Kester Moorhouse, Scott Sims and Sue Whitington, and to your families and friends.  

I thank you for the support you gave them during the recent campaign.

I would like to acknowledge my wife, Pina, our children, Isabella, Christian and Charlotte, and my brother, Mario and my niece, Emily.

I thank them for their unwavering support.

I don’t think I have ever been more excited about a new Council Term than I am about this one.

The recent Local Government election has given delivered the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters a Council with a wonderful blend of youth and experience. But, that’s enough about me!

I am delighted that so many young people who put their hand up were successful in their first attempt in running for Council.

To me, this indicates two things: one, that the talent pool is both deep and wide and the Elected Members now better represents the cross-section of our community.

Two, it’s a clear sign that that we have Elected Members who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that is required to get the results they want.

But the real work is about to begin, starting on Saturday with mandatory training, followed by Special Council meeting next Monday night.

But it won’t be all work and no play!

We do know how to have fun here – our Budget Information sessions are a real hoot! – I promise you’ll love them.

In the coming weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a number of Council events, as well as events and activities organised by local community groups and organisations and sporting clubs.

I encourage you to attend as many of these events as possible - get out amongst it, make yourself known, talk to people, understand their issues and aspirations.

To the new members joining the Council, I look forward to your energy and enthusiasm to bring fresh ideas to the council Chamber.

To the returning members, I look to you to help me provide the leadership, support and guidance that is needed to continue having a cohesive and functioning Council.

But I also ask you to be on hand to help and mentor your new colleagues.

To all members, I ask that we commit ourselves to work as a team to improve the welfare of the people of our City whom we have the honour serve.  

In the words of Henry Ford, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

When Council succeeds, our community succeeds.  

Let’s strive to find common ground on the important issues facing our City, knowing that no one person can do it all and no one person knows it all.

Let’s also embrace the art of the possible.

To quote Brian Tracy: “Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” 

I want this Council to be a Council of leaders. I know we can be that Council. 

I want this council to be a Council that finds solution.  I know we can be that Council too.

I am also acutely aware that with each new term comes the expectation from the community that election pledges will now be fulfilled - and sooner rather than later.

You will be inundated with requests from residents and ratepayers to follow-up on the conversations you had at their door, in the park, on the street or at the shops during the campaign.

In this regard, you will soon discover, as John F. Kennedy said, that “the pressure will be greater than the pay.”

I am equally aware of the desire of all Members deliver for your respective wards - your ‘patch’.

This is completely reasonable. 

But we cannot lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Parochialism should not get in the way of pragmatism and decisions should be based on reason rather than region.

What good for one part of the of the City, is good for all of the City.

Of course, the relationships we have with our fellow Elected Members is only one side of the coin.

The other and equally important side of the coin is the relationship we have with staff.

Put simply, staff are our indispensable partners, there to provide professional assistance and frank and fearless advice to help us make informed decisions that will benefit our community.

We may not always agree, but we need not be disagreeable, and the line that separates the roles of staff and Elected Members must always be respected and never redrawn.

Members, we have been elected to lead our City at a time of great challenge and unprecedented opportunity.

Our challenge is to do more with less, to meet rising expectations, and to be more transparent with and accountable to those we represent. 

Our opportunity is to take Norwood Payneham & St Peters to the next level in the Local Government sector.

Right now, we are investing in infrastructure as never before and we now have strategies for our trees and for our built heritage and more.

To borrow one candidate’s campaign slogan, we have taken real action for a better future.

The next for years is our chance to make this the best Council term since amalgamation. 

The task will be hard. There will be setbacks and disappointment along the way, but I believe we can do it and I ask you to join me to meet the moment. 

I conclude my remarks tonight with what I believe is simple but practical advice from US Congressman Ben Quayle:
“Don't try to be somebody you're not because it doesn't work. If you try to be this perfect person or perfect persona of what you think that somebody should be when they're involved in public office, it's just not going to work. Just be yourself, stay true to your core values, and really just stay abreast of the issues.”

I wish you all the best for the next four years and look forward to leading the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters with you.

Let’s get to work.

Thank you.