Advertise on podcast: SA Today with Jennie Lenman

Rotary Victor Harbor has welcomed a new President at the weekend. Active community member Mike May has stepped up into the role after being a member for the past three years. He joins Jennie Lenman in this podcast to talk about the honour, the great work of Rotary and what his plans for the future.

Members of the Kanmantoo and Callington communities say they are still having issues with the "stench" of nearby fertiliser plant Neutrog, which has expanded in recent years. Spokesperson Peter Roberts joins Jennie Lenman in this podcast to discuss his concerns ahead of a community meeting on Monday 4 July at the Callington Recreation Community Centre from 6.30-8pm. For more details and to book for the event, see EventBrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-update-session-tickets-366149461897#search For further information from the EPA, including community updates, see the EPA Engage page at: https://engage.epa.sa.gov.au/neutrog 

SA is home to the biggest house blocks in the country with Adelaide the only capital where yard space is bigger than the house. The latest ABS statistics are also showing South Australians are building big houses on small blocks of land, which could spell the end of the backyard dream. Gerald Matthews, Managing Director at Matthews Architects, joins Jennie Lenman to discuss the news and share his thoughts as a Senior Architect. 

The current Granite Island population of Little Penguins has fallen to only 20 adults while all other populations in Encounter Bay are now extinct. But what caused the decline? Among other things, Flinders University expert Dr Diane Colombelli-Négrel, says the Millenium Drought, has played a big role. She joins Jennie Lenman to discuss.

A popular pop-up cafe in a garage in Macclesfield is having to shut shop due to an upcoming construction project. Garage 29 started last August on Venables Street as a quirky retail shop and cafe with motoring memorabilia.  Owners have announced on social media overnight that they are having to leave in the coming weeks to provide storage space for construction contractors working on the long-anticipated Macclesfield Hotel redevelopment. However business owner of the Macclesfield Pub and part landlord Justin York has responded to criticism, saying he has been offering free accommodation for the cafe and there has been no official lease for the cafe. He joins Jennie Lenman to discuss.

Alexandrina Councillors have this week voted to deliver a comprehensive Goolwa Wharf Precinct Plan, rather than scaling it back as proposed by Councillor Brownyn Lewis who wanted to save money for ratepayers. Meantime, works are set to commence in July on Stage 3 of the Strathalbyn Streetscape project. Mayor Keith Parkes joins Jennie Lenman to discuss these projects and the 2022-23 draft Budget.

The Bay to Birdwood is returning on 16 October with a new category. While we missed out last year when the event was cancelled due to COVID, it is back in full this year with tens of thousands of spectators expected to line the route from West Beach through to the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, to view the passing parade of historic vehicles. Chair Michael Neale has announced as a world-first, this year the event will welcome electric converted historic vehicles. He joins Jennie Lenman to discuss.

A community garden in Mount Barker is helping young people learn life skills and professional development through gardening thanks to a community grant from Council. Students at Adelaide Hills Vocational College are growing their knowledge and skills through ‘Soil to Plate’, a course providing horticultural experience for young people which also helps to improve their wellbeing. Coordinator Nathan Doble and teacher Glen Mears join Jennie Lenman to discuss.

It's World Giraffe Day. Joining Jennie Lenman to talk about the marvellous creatures and Monarto Safari Park's herd is Keeper Vaughn Wilson. The pair also discuss the new baby girl to mum Scarlett, who has since been named 'Nyekundu' following a public competition. Read more here.

There are several scams doing the rounds in our regions at the moment, including a number of ever popular ATO phishing scams, fake family and friends reaching out to locals for considerable sums of money and a new scam targeting Kmart shoppers. Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Dini Soulio, joins Jennie Lenman to discuss. More information on scams is on the Scamwatch website, including how to make a report and where to get help. You can also contact CBS on 131 882.

Adelaide Hills-based beekeeper Jake Leske has won the inaugural Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) Australian Beekeeper Award. The 30-year-old joins Jennie Lenman to talk about his work, award and philosophy in the industry.

We're being encouraged to consider the mental wellbeing of babies this Infant Mental Health Week. As babies do not have the capacity to talk, how do parents and caregivers identify if they have a mental health problem? The Director of Emerging Minds, Brad Morgan, joins Jennie Lenman to share some insight into the issue and talk about the GP framework e-learning course he has created.