February 2014 Newsletter

KENSINGTON RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Do you have a burning question about your Kensington neighbourhood? Got any photos of Kensington either old or recent you’d like to share? Email [email protected]
INCORPORATED
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2014
Serving the community for over thirty years
“Interest and enthusiasm are the wellspring of continually evolving community life.” – Henning Hansmann
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
FROM THE EDITOR:
2014 welcomes the 175th Anniversary for the
settlement of Kensington. We are fortunate to
live in such an interesting and diverse suburb,
surrounded by historical landmarks and
buildings.
Join us this year through the
newsletter, website and various events in
celebrating this milestone. Keep in touch with
the KRA.
Come and lend a hand, if only for an hour, and help
keep Kensington a beautiful place to live. See back
page for full details and the registration form.
Rising Sun Hotel c. 1882: 'Images Courtesy of
the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters
Civic collection’.
CELEBRATING 175 YEARS OF
SETTLEMENT IN KENSINGTON
Kensington village, named after Kensington
Palace, was surveyed in November 1838 and the
first land lots were sold to settlers in 1839. 175
years later, much of Kensington’s history remains
for us to enjoy, value and protect. This year the
Kensington Residents’ Association plans a number
of community events to celebrate this milestone.
Check out the KRA website and future newsletters
for more information.
Are you a KRA Member? If so remember to renew your membership or if not why not become a member?
Ph: 8331 9654 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kra.org.au
HAVE YOU MET...
CLARE KELLY
Clare was elected as the KRA’s new
President at the 2013 AGM in
November. Clare’s focus is on the
community, its people and the
environment.
She has lived in
Kensington for seven years.
POSTCODE 5068
Carolling in the Streets of Kensington in December.
Kensington
is……….rich
with
friendly, genuine, considerate &
helpful individuals who come
together to make our diverse,
thriving & caring community.
I live here because….of the
neighbours who have become my
friends & the sense of community &
belonging Kensington offers.
My
favourite
places
are…..Borthwick and Pioneer Parks.
We’re so lucky to have green spaces
and it’s a joy to come together at
our working bees.
I took on the role of President
because..…I wanted to become
more actively involved in our
community.
I lose sleep over..…work, which is
why being involved in the KRA is so
great because it gives me the
opportunity to switch off & relax.
I’m at my most relaxed when….I'm
at a KRA working bee in the park or
listening to music.
I can’t say no to…. red wine and
chocolate in the cooler weather!
Attendees at the 2013 KRA AGM in November were treated to guest speaker
Meteorologist Martin Crowe’s interesting talk of his Antarctic summer.
JOHN LEGG
Planter of shrubs and trees
in Borthwick Park by day and
Fringe performer at night!
Check out John Legg’s 2014
Fringe Show –
‘An Elephant in the Room’
www.adelaidefringe.com.au
OUR HISTORY
63 MAESBURY STREET
Built only a few years after Kensington was first
settled, the cottage at 63 Maesbury Street is
only one of 200 houses left in the State of this
age. Thomas Constable, a bricklayer, built the
front two rooms and lived in the cottage until
1851 when it was sold to Henry Whittle, a
butcher who built the remaining two rooms.
After a succession of owners, the property was
bought in 1868 by David Packham, a farmer,
who owned it until his death in 1912. We are
fortunate to have such a rare example of an
1840’s cottage that represents the style of early
colonial builders in the Kensington area and the
KRA supports the preservation and restoration
of this very significant Local Heritage Item
KENSINGTON AND NORWOOD POOL – ANOTHER PIECE OF HISTORY
HEANES BOOTSHOP
Kensington and Norwood Pool was the first
suburban public swimming pool in South
Australia. Opened in 1956 it has the odd length
of 55 yards or 50.3metres. Famous Australian
singer Paul Kelly wrote the song Deep Water
about the pool. A group of local devotees and
the KRA submitted an application to the Federal
Department of Environment nominating it for
the National Heritage list in October 2013. The
submission
was
rejected
initially
but
consideration has been offered for the 2015-16
nominations.
In 1837 Surveyor General Colonel William Light
completed the preliminary survey of town acres
in Adelaide. Kensington village, named after
Kensington Palace, was surveyed by J.H. Hughes
in November 1838 and the first lots were sold in
1839. Second Creek dictated the diagonal street
layout to minimize the number of creek
crossings and provide a maximum number of
blocks with creek frontage.
The first resident of Kensington in 1839 was
believed to have been a Mr Marshall,
whose house was situated in what is now Wellington Street. During the 1840s, a “fair impetus was given to building by
the arrival of John Roberts, who at once saw the healthful situation of the place nestling under the then thickly wooded
ranges, and he decided to erect a number of what would at that period be regarded as ideal gentlemen’s residences.”
Growing quickly in the 1840s, houses of brick and stone were the first to be built in Bridge and Wellington Streets and
John Robert’s arrival in 1844 encouraged the sale of the blocks in the north-east of the village. Life centred around
Bridge Street until the advent of the horse drawn trams in High Street in the 1870s. Taking a walk through Kensington
today there is still evidence of these valuable historical markers.
'Images Courtesy of the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Civic collection’
Kenny has been very active, vocal and visible
since the New Year. He enjoyed Australia
Day like many others….with a couple of
mates, relaxing in the shade, eating good
Australian food and enjoying a late afternoon
siesta. Here he is climbing trees and drinking
from the hose in 44 degree heat in a
Maesbury Street back garden recently. Let us
know
you
if
see
him
around.
[email protected].
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY 2014
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Sunday 2nd March
9:00am – 12 noon
Clean Up followed by a Community BBQ in Borthwick Park (our regular Sundays in the Park)
BBQ provided – just come along or bring a salad to share
BYO drinks to share..
Complete the form below and return to KRA, 42 Regent Street, Kensington, or email to [email protected] by
Friday 21st February. We will send details on collecting bags instructions and maps of allocated areas.
If you are unavailable on the day but would still like to help, you may do your clean up on the Saturday.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name(s):
Date
Address:
Phone:
Email:
2014 KRA Membership: New or
Renewal
Clean Up Participation:
$10 Membership fee to be attached (1 year)
$
$20 Membership fee to be attached (2 year)
$
$50 Membership fee to be attached (5 year)
$
(Return by 21st February)
No of People:
Available from:
to:
Would you like to participate in the Borthwick Park Biodiversity Project?
Please complete, detach and send to:
[email protected]
The Secretary, Andrew Dyson: 42 Regent Street Ph 8331 9654 Email:
Do you know of an ordinary Kensington Resident living an extraordinary life? Tell us about them - [email protected]
HAVE YOU SEEN KENNY?

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