Yorke Peninsula Council has received the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme’s WHS Best Practice Regional Award for its Temporary Traffic Management Harmonisation project.

In response to national changes introduced by AustRoads, Council undertook a comprehensive review of its traffic management training.

The result was a smarter, streamlined approach that improved safety outcomes while reducing unnecessary training.

Previously delivered as one course, traffic management training was restructured into three targeted courses covering six units of competency.

Council consulted closely with managers and supervisors to identify which roles required certification.

This led to the removal of redundant training for roles such as mechanics and weed spray operators, and a more focused approach for others.

Only staff needing stop/slow skills completed Traffic Controller training, while most were trained as Traffic Management Implementers, responsible for setting up and packing down work zones.

A key innovation was the use of remote video assessments.

Staff recorded practical tasks on site and submitted footage for review, avoiding the need for assessors to travel long distances.

Manager People, Culture and Safety Bobbi Pertini said the project reflects Council’s practical and people-focused approach to safety.

“We wanted to do more than just meet compliance,” Ms Pertini said.

“This project ensures our people receive training that’s relevant to their roles, without unnecessary time and cost burdens.

“It’s a smarter way of working—and a safer one.”

The phased rollout prioritised employees with expiring certifications, and onsite training was delivered in partnership with Civil Edge.

This award recognises Council’s commitment to WHS innovation and its leadership in regional best practice.

A group of Year 11 students from across the Yorke Peninsula recently gained valuable real-world experience through a hands-on partnership with Yorke Peninsula Council.

The students are part of the Yorke Peninsula Secondary Alliance’s Certificate II in Construction program, delivered in collaboration with Adelaide Training and Employment Centre.

The program equips young people with hands-on, multi-trade skills and real industry experience.

It also fosters strong connections with local employers and encourages students to give back to their communities, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships and future employment pathways.

In an exciting extension of their training, the students partnered with Council’s operations team to work on real Council projects, gaining firsthand experience in the field.

In Yorketown, students installed paving at the local airstrip, while in Maitland they were involved in signage installation and concrete formwork.

Workplace Health and Safety processes were a key focus throughout the program, helping to reinforce industry best practice.

Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers said the initiative had been a huge success.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to combine learning with community service, and the students truly embraced the experience,” Mr Carruthers said.

“We’re incredibly proud of our operations team for going above and beyond to support the students—not just by supervising their work, but by mentoring them, encouraging them, and ensuring they gained a genuine insight into construction and Council operations.

“Opportunities like this help build career pathways for young people while also strengthening our future workforce.

“We’re looking forward to continuing and expanding this great partnership.”

Yorke Peninsula Council looks forward to continuing its support for local training initiatives that deliver real value for young people and the broader community.

General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) will visit Yorke Peninsula to officially open the Vietnam War Memorial Walk this August.

Sir Peter, accompanied by his wife Lynne, will speak at the official opening ceremony to be held in Edithburgh at 11am on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Monday 18 August.

The former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Chief of the Australian Defence Force is a strong supporter of the Vietnam War Memorial Walk, which is being established along the Walk The Yorke track between Edithburgh and Coobowie.

“I was pleased to receive the invitation to officially open the Vietnam War Memorial Walk and look forward to the event,” Sir Peter said.

“This Vietnam Veterans’ Day we commemorate 50 years since the conclusion of the Vietnam War and I congratulate everyone involved in the Memorial Walk project which marks the occasion and pays tribute to all who served in the conflict.”

The project is being led by local residents Roger Hogben and John Edwards, who said they were thrilled to welcome Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove to Yorke Peninsula for the official opening.

“It has been a dream of ours to have Sir Peter officially open the Memorial Walk, which will be the first memorial detailing every Australian unit that served in Vietnam making it a project of true national significance,” Mr Hogben said.

“Sir Peter served in Vietnam as part of a long and highly distinguished military career, and remains a tremendous supporter of Veterans – there is nobody we would rather have to officially open the Vietnam War Memorial Walk.

“With the attendance of Sir Peter and many other high-profile guests from all throughout Australia, as well as a genuine Vietnam-era Huey helicopter flying in, this is shaping up to be a huge event and we welcome the wider community to all come along to the official opening and luncheon.

“Tickets are now on sale for the concert that afternoon featuring John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew (ex-Redgum, ‘I Was Only 19’), so get in quick by visiting https://boxoffice.satix.com.au/event/3191:19252/3191:55735.”

The Vietnam War Memorial Walk is proudly supported by Yorke Peninsula Council and has been funded by the Federal Government’s Saluting Their Service grants. The official opening is supported by two grants from Veterans SA.

Bio: General the Honourable Sir Peter

Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd)

Peter Cosgrove, along with his wife Lynne, served as the 26th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. He was Knighted at his swearing in 2014. Following his retirement in 2019 Sir Peter was further honoured as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen. In April 2023 Sir Peter was commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III at the recommendation of Prime Minister Albanese to serve when required as the Administrator of the Commonwealth Government of Australia.

He is widely known for his earlier career in the Australian Defence Force, serving in Malaysia and Vietnam before coming to greater public prominence as Commander of INTERFET in East Timor. He retired as Chief of the Defence Force in 2005 and went on to serve on several corporate boards before becoming Governor-General.

In retirement he is actively involved with defence, health and other charitable organisations. He is Ambassador for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs 2023 Commemorations of the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War; Patron of the ADF Cadets and Patron of the Virtual War Memorial of Australia, among other involvements.

Married to Lynne since 1976, they have three sons and delight in their four young grandchildren.

Vietnam War Memorial Walk official opening

Location: Edithburgh Golf Course, corner of Giles Tce and O’Halloran Parade

Time: 10.30am for 11am start

Date: Monday, 18 August 2025 (Vietnam Veterans’ Day), marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War

Key speaker and official opening by: General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd).

Also featuring: Arrival by air of a genuine Vietnam-era Huey helicopter

And there’s more: Official opening to be followed by luncheons from noon; public luncheon at Edithburgh Sports and Community Club with opportunities for photo with the Huey helicopter on the oval

Concert event: John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew (ex Redgum, ‘I Was Only 19’) at Light Church Edithburgh from 2pm – ticket purchases essential, visit https://boxoffice.satix.com.au/event/3191:19252/3191:55735 or search for the event online.

GROUNDED YP Art Festival is returning this August, and entries are now open for the fine art, sculpture and photography exhibitions.

The exhibitions are a key part of Grounded and attracted more than 1000 visitors to the host venues during the inaugural festival in 2023.

This year the fine art exhibition will be held in Maitland Town Hall, with the Edithburgh Institute to house the sculptures and photography.

Anyone can enter, and name a price for their items to be for sale if they wish.

All entrants in the Fine Art, Photography and Sculpture categories are eligible for prizes. Each category boasts a main prize of $3000.

There is also a $1,500 First Nations prize (chosen from all three exhibits) and the $1,500 Verna Lock Memorial Award for local painters residing in the Yorke Peninsula Council district. The Verna Lock prize-winning work is acquired by Council for display long-term.

Entries are $20 apiece, and sales incur a 20 per cent commission.

Grounded YP Art Festival is back and bigger than ever with a range of major events throughout the peninsula, in addition to the exhibitions and another loaded workshop program. The 2023 festival and its affiliate events attracted almost 3,000 attendees and put more than $57,000 directly into the pockets of local artists.

Prize winners will be announced at the Official Opening for Grounded YP Art Festival 2025, to be held from 5:30pm at Maitland Town Hall on Friday, 15 August.

For more information, visit ypart.com.au. To enter, click ‘For Artists’ then follow the link, or go direct via yorke.sa.gov.au/art-festival-open-category-application.

Exhibition details

Fine art – Maitland Town Hall

Sculpture and Photography – Edithburgh Institute

All exhibitions open daily August 16-24

Artwork for sale; artist sets price

Top prize: $3,000

Second prize: $1,500

Third prize: $750

Verna Lock Memorial Award (acquisitive): $1,500

First Nations Open Category: $1,500

Entries: $20 each; maximum three per artist

Grounded Official Opening details

Maitland Town Hall

5.30pm Friday, August 15

Fine Art Exhibition open and selected sculptures/photography

Prize winners for all categories announced

Artwork for sale

More than 250 people gathered at Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve to celebrate Nharangga Cultural Day on Sunday 4 May, enjoying a powerful day of culture, connection and community.

Minlagawi Gum Flat holds deep cultural significance for Nharangga dhura (Narungga people). For thousands of years, it has served as a meeting place for the four Narungga clan groups – Garnarra (north), Windara (east), Dhilba (south) and Warri (west).

The Nharangga Cultural Day proudly continued this tradition, bringing together Narungga people and the wider community in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.

The event is held in recognition of National Reconciliation Week.

The event was emceed by Sarah Jane Hall, a proud Narungga woman and member of Yorke Peninsula Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.

The day opened with a Welcome to Country by Mia and Bree Warrior and a Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Peter Turner, with assistance from Clem Newchurch and Pauly Dixon Junior. Cultural artist Sonya Rankine performed two songs in Nharangga warra (Narungga language), sharing the stories of Garrdi (emu) and Widhadha (shark).

Performance artist Nikki Ashby/Sansbury created, choreographed and performed a cultural contemporary dance piece title Wayaga, meaning shooting star, with special guest Iris Sansbury.

Expressing a self-explorative journey as Aboriginal women, the performance reflected on divine femininity evolving through stages of grief, and the solo journey toward healing.

A panel discussion hosted by Sonya Rankine brought together respected voices – Uncle Eddie Newchurch, Auntie Lesley Wanganeen, Rick Slager, Clem Newchurch and Sarah Jane Hall – to reflect on the themes of reconciliation, legacy, and the future for Aboriginal communities.

The conversation explored this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, along with the upcoming NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.

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Traditional food and bush ingredients were another highlight, with Newchurch Family Farm and the Department for Education’s SA Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy serving a unique menu including tacos with quandong chilli, kangaroo mango curry, and Davidson Plum muntries punch.

Sharing and coming together over food has always been a central part of traditional Narungga culture.

Artist Harley Hall captivated the crowd with a live mural painting on the picnic shelter, depicting Minlagawi as a cultural meeting place.

Attendees were encouraged to contribute to the mural throughout the day.

Elders Uncle Rex Angie and Auntie Deanna Newchurch also shared stories about their involvement in the Guuranda Theatre production, as well as Auntie Deanna’s jewellery and the history of Point Pearce.

The day also featured a wide range of engaging activities:

• AFL footy clinic with premiership players Troy Bond (former Adelaide Crows) and Shane Bond (former Port Power)
• Market stalls from artists Sarah Jane Hall, Sonya Rankine’s LakunMara, and Portia Bond
• Face painting by Tamiya, Shanaid and Skylah Hickman Sansbury, and Mia, Bree and Maddz Warrior
• Interactive artefact and tool displays by Shane Warrior, Clem and Quahli Newchurch, and Pauly Dixon Junior
• Guided cultural walks with Uncle Peter Turner and Quahli Newchurch
• Nharangga language resources from the Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association
• Rock painting and totem art with Lisa and Aaliya Weetra, Nevayah Karpany, and Biance Newchurch
• Aboriginal symbol t-shirt keepsakes with Portia Bond
• Dance workshop with Nikki Ashby
• Sound bowl and energy healing with Mandi Faerie
• Live music by Caleb Raymond

The event is principally funded and coordinated by Council, with guidance from Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association, and supported by a planning group including Auntie Lesley and Uncle Michael Wanganeen, Sonya Rankine, Council’s Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm and Arts and Cultural Facilitator Molly Flanagan.

The event was made possible through the generous support of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Country Arts SA, and SA Water, with Rex Minerals sponsoring the event pavilion. Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation also played a key role in promoting the event.

Ngayi yunggu (thank you) to all who contributed and attended – your support made the 2025 Nharangga Cultural Day a vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and community.

Learn more about the day by watching the short 2 minute film of the 2023 event here.