When The Old Becomes The New - Bordertown South Australia

The Road To Positivity

When The Old Becomes The New  - Bordertown South Australia

( as published in Good Gabble Newzine August 2010 )

  Today we live in a throw away world. As soon as we buy a piece of technology something better has replaced it so we throw it out and update. If something breaks we throw it out. When a building becomes outdated or no longer in use we knock it down, dump it to landfill and build another. 

  This was not the case in Bordertown South Australia in 1999 when the old police station was given a new lease of life as the Visitors Information Centre and Morning Loaf Bakery.

  You may wonder what is so unusual about taking an old building and using it for a different purpose. In Bordertown it is all about the way you do it.

  Standing in Tolmer Park looking across at the doorway of the Visitors Information Centre you look at what seems an ordinary modern building that is aesthetically pleasing, blending with the surrounding environment. It is not until you are inside and ‘really looking’ that you see how one piece of architecture blends into another.

  Chris Mackerel, of the Visitors Information Centre, soon pointed out that the centre I was standing in was the old police station that was closed in 1964. As she took me through the door into the bakery she suggested I turn around. It was only then I saw something that I had overlooked many times. In front of me was the entrance to the old police station in its original condition. The penny dropped, so to say, and I now looked at the large building from a different perspective. This was not two business's in one building but two buildings in one. A very old, standard built government building had been left as part of history but given a new lease of life.

Inside Morning Loaf Bakery - internal entry into Visitors Information Centre

  

  There was no need for landfill when developing the larger building as the old police station was left complete, with the new being built around it. Chris pointed out that the front counter of the information centre was the lounge room of the police house and that the bathroom is still used as the bathroom.

   When the police station closed a new, more modern building was erected across the road. The old police station was then used as housing for police officers until 1999. In 2000 the new building was officially opened as a bakery and visitors information centre. The bakery is privately owned with the visitors information centre being administered by council.

  Tolmer park, named after police inspector Alexander Tolmer who was in charge of the gold escorts from the Victorian Goldfields to Adelaide, has also been cleverly developed considering all aspects of the environment. A joint venture between local government, private enterprise and state government, the old police cells have been converted to the public toilets and recycled natural timber has been used for tables and chairs.

Old jail cells converted to public toilets

  Throughout the park old wares and bric-a-brac are given a new lease of life as they become pieces of artwork within the environment. The stream that runs through the land has been left and utilised adding appeal to the park. A bridge was built to allow access from a carpark to the information centre. Ducks happily swim about, as visitors enjoy the well needed break sitting on the provided bench seats.

 Bordertown is a town that seems to pride itself on history and its environment, caring for the old, looking after the new and protecting what they have. When the new highway was put through and a large hole was left in the ground, a dam was constructed to form a recreation lake. The Institute hall, built in 1909 was redeveloped in 1982 to form the library and theatre with the seats in the theatre being the original seats from Adelaide's Majestic Theatre. Historic Clayton Farm, 3 kms out of town, is the home of the Bordertown and District Agricultural Museum. Bordertown is also famous as the birthplace of Bob Hawke, former Australian Prime Minister. A bust of Bob Hawke can be seen outside the council offices. Venture indoors and you can view the Bob Hawke gallery.

  If ever in Bordertown I recommend you stop and look around at a town where everything old soon becomes new again.

article Jennifer Deaves

Bob Hawke - Former Australian Prime Minister

A Little Birdie Told Me So!

   Over the last few weeks we have been staying at Lake Bonney Caravan park, spending our days glancing across at the lake, watching the mist roll in of a morning and the sun set of an evening. The nights have been cool  and ,except for a few wet days, the days has been pleasant.

  As we sit and work, lolling our days writing articles, meeting people and making new friends, I have had the pleasure of a conversation with a newly made friend of the feathered variety. Each day we are visited, at no particular time and often on numerous occasions, by a beautiful wild bird who is never shy at coming forward. Each day he sits next to me and listens to what I have to say as I speak softly, asking his opinion on the daily happenings. He is willing to take bread and offerings out of my hand, flying off and returning when the supply runs dry. He sits upon the edge of the dogs water and happily drinks having not a care in the world. Of a morning I lay in bed and listen as he sings me his chorus whilst standing on the tent rope. I am never sure if this is a call of  "get up you lazy bugger I want to eat" or a call meant to calm me and help me start my day. Either way I have been pleased to have shared two weeks with my feathered friend and feel honoured to have been shown trust and companionship.

   His friendship has been one that will stay in all of our minds for a long time to come and has shown us that it is the little things in life that count.........even the feathered ones.

In recognition of kindness and friendship

    Whilst staying at Cobdogla Station Caravan Park I was touched by the kindness and friendship offered by a wonderful lady named Audrey and her husband. They were only in my life for four days but have promised to keep in contact. I hope we are able to build on our friendship.

  Audrey was a lovely lady to whom I say thank you. Each day for the four days that she was on the site opposite us she spent time stopping for a chat and touching our lives. It all started with a treat for our dog.

  Not long after arriving Audrey approached my van with a treat in her hand and quietly spoke to our dog Beauty. She continued to ask me if it was ok if she gave Beauty a treat as she carried doggie biscuits on her to reward beloved canine pets that she was blessed enough to meet. Beauty soon took Audrey to heart, putting on her innocent puppy face everytime Audrey walked out of her van and it worked every time.

  On the first day of meeting he explained how she had lost her beloved companion of 13 years and still felt the loss. Her husband and herself had retired to a unit where she was unable to have a dog so every time they got into their van and travelled she took treats for the dogs of others. Such a thoughtful idea, a way of making friends and a way of dealing with her loss.

  There were many other ways that this kind hearted lady touched us. Her smile and friendliness was contagious. Not once did she complain but embraced life with enthusiasm and energy. As we stood around our vans having a chat she would laugh with her husband and tell of their travel tales. The love and companionship between her and her husband was one to be admired.

  Audrey would go out during the day and return with a treat for my children. On the first day of arriving she went to the local corner store to buy milk returning with a bag of smarties for the kids. This followed with biscuits and chips. On one occassion Celeste had eaten her biscuit and due to tiredness started to cry because there was no more. I soon looked up and there was Audrey standing at my tent door with a tart in her hands. With kindness in her voice and a soft gentle manner she introduced herself to Celeste explaining she was the lady who gave mummy the biscuits. She got down to Celeste's level and handing her the tart explained that their was no more and asked her to stop crying for mummy. This worked a treat and Celeste soon settled down.

  Audrey and her husband are a credit to themselves. They are what this world should be about. Friendship, kindness and consideration. As they left I thanked her for her kindness, gave her a copy of Good Gabble and let her know that she was an amazing person who has touched my life. My family will never forget the lovely lady who took a couple of days to brighten  each day not only for our dog but for us humans too.

Thank you Audrey!

A Little Bit Of Pampering

  Today I had the most wonderful and relaxing day thanks to the staff at Cindy's Hair And Beauty in Berri SA.   

  After spending the last twelve months watching the grey hair slowly creep up on me I decided last week it was time to treat myself to a hair colour and cut. It has been twelve months since I have even had a haircut. You may wonder why it has been so long, how could that be? The biggest factor is the cost. With three children who need haircuts way more than I do there is never really the money to get one for myself. I suppose the other is just the fact that I am a mum. I know it is no excuse but us mum's just never seem to have the time. By the time you organise a baby sitter and the appointment around everything else it just never seems to happen.

  To all the mum's out there and those who just never get to the hairdresser may I recommend you treat yourself to a little bit of therapy. It really does make you feel good and give you a little bit of oomph in life.

  My experience started when I was greeted warmly by a bubbly, rather trendy, Nicole. I sat in the chair and we discussed what I would like and the colour options that would suit me. Then it was off to the sink for the hair wash.

  What an experience! As I walked around to the sink I expected to see the hard hairwashing chairs but instead was greeted by a soft padded vinyl lounge chair. As I sat in it I am sure everyone heard me sigh. The comfort was amazing. As I sat back Nicole suggested I relax as the chair reclined back and the foot rest came out. To my surprise the whole chair then started to give me a massage as the warm water soothed my head. After washing my hair Nicole spent the time gently massaging the conditioner in and soothing away the stress. I have experienced this head massage at other hairdressers but combined with the massage chair it was pure luxury.

   As I approached the salon chair for my cut I could already feel the difference in my stress level and outlook. As Nicole cut my hair I felt more weight lift and was amazed at how different I was feeling from the inside out. The colour was put on my hair and a nice warm steam machine put over my head to help the colour set quicker. It was then that I experienced another treat. Nicole brought me a lovely hot cup of coffee on a tray with a biscuit that just melted in your mouth. The coffee was served in a beautiful white patterned mug with saucer.

  Off came the machine and back I went to the massage chair to have the colour solution rinsed off. How much more can one bare! Another head massage and I was nearly asleep.

   Back to the salon chair and the warmth of the hairdryer hits my head. As part of the deal, at no extra charge, Nicole offers to add extra warmth using the hair straightener to add shine and style.

  I walked out of the hairdressers not only looking like a different person but feeling like a new me. I felt important, if only for a few hours, and wondered how I could find the money to do this at least once a month. I was so relaxed and invigorated that I booked Samantha an appointment for the whole works next week.

  So if you don't already go to the hairdresser then give it a go. What I thought was going to be just a cut and colour turned out to be the therapy I  needed.

  Now to try a massage, facial and manicure! Anyone want to join me!

'The Road To Positivity' - The Things We Take For Granted

This article was published in the July issue of Good Gabble Newzine.

 


For 32 years of my life I sat within the one area of Sydney. I went to school, got a job, married and had kids. Life was just life. The days came and went, the traffic drove past, the sun shone and the birds sang – without me even really taking any notice.

  I never realised how much I took my surroundings for granted until I left the comfort zone of the area I knew and spread my wings to the wider horizon. It was only then that I again began to look. I noticed, with awe, the changing colour of the trees, the ants that rushed by and the colours of the sun as it rose and set. For the first time I really listened. I heard the sounds of the birds, the scurrying of the lizards and running of a stream. I listened to what others had to say as I heard of their journeys and shared a yarn. I listened to the laughter of my children and the excitement in their voice as they discovered.

  I was reminded of this recently as we sat in a caravan park in Mt Gambier South Australia. We had been there for some weeks and had tired of the constant rain and dreary cold. The locals where quick to inform us that it is like that for 7 months of a year. We wondered how anyone could live in such depressing damp conditions.

  As we sat we noticed that more and more Queenslanders seemed to be pulling in. We scratched our head at this as by this stage we would have done anything to be in Queensland enjoying their sunshine and warmth. Why would anyone want to leave it behind to travel to a cold, wet climate.

  One misty morning as I stood outside my van I was approached by a gentleman who had stopped the night. He had come across to say hello and, being a dog lover, pat my Labrador. We began chatting about life on the road and what each was doing. Whilst we were discussing the set out of his camper I noticed he was a Queenslander. His wife came over just as I was asking the question that had been on our minds - “ Why do all Queenslanders come this way at this time of the year when it is so beautiful in their state.”

“Why look at these beautiful Autumn leaves” she said “We don't get Autumn like they do here in South Australia. It is just so beautiful to see and experience.”

What a logical answer. One that would have never crossed my mind.

  Our conversation soon lead to that of the lack of water restrictions in some areas of Australia and the wastage of water when others are in drought. My new friends commented that they had noticed that there were very few homes in Mt Gambier with water tanks. In an area of so much rain would it not make sense to utilise it to the fullest. It became obvious to us that most only care about that which they are at risk of loosing. They take what they have for granted  - when it is gone it is too late.

  It was this comment that made me realise that too many of us sit within our home state not really aware of what is around us. We
get hung up in the grind of day to day living and the familiarity of the environment and stop using our senses to their full potential. Do you know what colour the leaves in your backyard are at this time of the year? When was the last time you actually listened to the neighbours wind chime? Do the birds sing at your house?

  I first noticed the Autumn leaves within the caravan park when I arrived, collecting them and  pasting them on paper with my daughter, discussing the shapes and colours, but all too quickly I took them for granted. I noticed the frost on the grass the first morning as my socks became wet and my toes cold but by the next morning I no longer cared. I complained about the cold and wet and the washing never drying instead of being thankful for the wonders of nature and all it was offering. We become far too consumed within ourselves and our needs and wants and forget to thank nature.

  As we left Mt Gambier I made a mental note to take time at least once a day to look around and notice the small detail. To embrace the weather for what it offers. To stop complaining about the cold because in the not too distant future I will be complaining about the hot. I reminded myself that all I need do is  put on an extra layer of clothes and throw an extra blanket on the bed. So what if my van has wet washing hanging in every space possible, it will dry eventually, as when the warmer weather hits we will be thankful for every drop of rain winter brought.

 As I type this I sit in my tent with the steam rising from my mouth as I breath out. It is 2 degrees but I sit and embrace the coolness. I have a beanie on,gloves,plenty of blankets and a drink of warm milk – more than some have. I am not homeless or in need, instead I am thankful. Thankful for the love of my children, the shelter of my tent and the freedom of my life. Thankful for the possums outside my tent who keep me up all night and the wallabies in the paddock next door. Thankful for the sounds of life around me and for the stillness of the night, and thankful for the sun that will shine in the morning and glisten on the dew.

  I have vowed to appreciate this land for all that it gives, big, small, living and non living.As I use my senses to their full potential I will continue to be thankful for all that is offered and thankful for the chance to be part of it. It is amazing what you really see when you look.

Jennifer Deaves

Positive Postcard Project

   We are collecting postcards from all around the world, asking people to include a positive message to others on their postcard. Have you sent us one?

  There are great prizes throughout the year, with one lucky winner receiving a box of all the postcards and items we have got over the year.

  Find out more by clicking on the above tab!

  We look forward to seeing your postcard amongst our mail.