Semaphore Walkabout

Up to 10,000 people are expected to take the historic first walk across the Tom ‘Diver’ Derrick road bridge on Friday August 1.

Pedestrians only can cross the new bridge between 3 pm and 6 pm following the official opening by South Australian Premier Mike Rann at lunchtime.

The four-lane roadway is 300 metres long with eight fixed spans and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. The opening span is 58 metres long and weighs approximately 2000 tonnes.

The Mary MacKillop rail bridge has a single dual gauge track and is one kilometre long with 23 fixed spans; its opening span weighs 1200 tonnes and is 62 metres long.

Both have 10 metres clearance to mean sea level (about 8 metres above high water) to allow free passage for tourist boats and smaller vessels.

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Port Adelaide Caledonian Society and the R U Brown Piobaireachd Society are holding the Annual Clan McLeod Competition at the Society Hall at 7.30 pm at 189 Semaphore Road, Exeter on August 29.

Highlight of the night will be the Fred Adam Memorial Trophy

• Up to sub-intermediate 1×6/8 March (4 parts)
• Unrestricted – Anyone of any level Hornpipe and Jig (4 parts each)

This will be judged on the technique and presentation so competitors need to know their tunes well and be a little cheeky and entertaining.

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The 11th SALA Festival, showcasing South Australia’s visual artists, their talent, diversity and creativity runs from August 1 to 17.

There are four venues in Semaphore, one in Ethelton and many in Port Adelaide.

For Port Adelaide venues visit the SALA website:

The Semaphore and Ethelton venues are:

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Hair of the dog

Heaven for wine buffs and fashionistas with the pending arrival on Semaphore Road of a wine bar and hairdressing salon, in one that is!

One of Port Adelaide’s leading hairdressers is making the move to establish this revolutionary concept in the premises right next to Phore Seasons.

Sounds great for last minute sprucing up of the coiffure and the palate on the way to a party.

Can’t resist the temptation.

Why not drop in for “a hair of the dog”.

Pedestrians will be the first to cross the new Tom “Diver” Derrick Road Bridge across the Port River early evening Friday, August 1, in a special Community Bridge Walk.

Those who walk the walk will see a large window (glass curtain wall) that facilitates viewing of the bridges’ opening mechanisms and viewing platforms, with stairs and ramps providing access from wharf level

Also a close up view of the ‘Mary MacKillop Bridge’ in honour of the Catholic nun, who played an important role in the state’s history and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Shopping movements

More residents from the first stage of Newport Quays are now shopping on Semaphore Road.

Jodie from Swish says she’s beginning to discover more of them among her customers and when you look at her range of merchandise it’s easy to understand why you would take home an item or two for a swish new apartment or townhouse.

Left to right: Kevin Jones, Director of the South Australian Maritime Museum, Jamie Newlyn, Maritime Union of Australia, Rod Sawford, former MHR Port Adelaide, Kevin Foley, Deputy Premier and Treasurer and member for Port Adelaide, Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs, Gary Johanson, Mayor of Port Adelaide and Mark Butler MP, MHR for Port Adelaide at the launch of Merchant Navy Day.

Thousands of Australian merchant mariners served during the two World Wars on Australian, Commonwealth and Allied ships, as well as merchant ships from other nations. Australian and Commonwealth memorials commemorate 435 Australians known to have lost their lives serving in the Merchant Navy.

Mr Griffin said that from this year, Merchant Navy Day would be an occasion to give merchant mariners the prominence in Australia’s wartime history that they deserved.

As with the recently announced Battle for Australia Day, a national day of observance would not detract from the importance of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and would not be a public holiday.

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Ed Halmagyi from Better Homes and Gardens wanted to auction Pam Tobin at the Phore Seasons fundraiser for Vietnamese children in need. Photo by Judtya’s sister Monika.

Eighty five guests at an Italian themed dinner at Phore Seasons Restaurant donated more than $10,000 through an auction hosted by TV celebrity “Fast Ed” from Better Homes and Gardens for the Vietnamese Charity Children’s Hope In Action .

A collector’s bottle of Henry Martin Shiraz raised the the highest bid of $750 while $600 was accepted for two nights accommodation at Barossa House and $400 for a coffee machine.

Phore Seasons Chef Judyta was joined in the kitchen by supporting Chefs Camillo Crugnale, Orlando, Jimmy Chierr and Grant Schooling.

The entree of baked tartlet of leek and beetroot with Woodside Fibonacci goat milk cheese, dressed curly endive leaves with walnut oil and carrot vinaigrette is indicative of the fine dining that was applauded by all.

Chef Judyta will soon be seen in action on national television.

Children’s Hope In Action helps Vietnamese children get access to healthcare and education.

Word all along Semaphore Road is that a top Glenelg restaurant has decided that Semaphore is the place to be and will shortly open in the historic building opposite the Semaphore Hotel that’s always been made for a classy restaurant.

So we checked with the owners and you’re all wrong.

The reason the sign’s come down is that it’s been taken off the market.

But I can tell you that one of Semaphore’s top restaurants is interested in moving premises so watch this space.

At the same time the old kiosk near the jetty may soon be gone and replaced by a classy coffee lounge.

The Flaming Wok next to Semaphore Bakery will be replaced by Wok by the Sea.

Opening soon, it will serve dine-in or take-away Chinese, Malaysian and Thai which should satisfy a wide range of Asian food fans.

Near the Tattoo Studios a fashionable hairdresser from the Port is setting up shop or should we say salon. A chance to get Tatts and Plaits!

Erin at Penny Lane Hairdressers is moving fast on setting up her salon with a Semaphore Road frontage and says competition brings more customers for everyone.

New neighbours from the first stage of the massive New Port development are spending big at the yummy Corner Store while some of us just browse and drool.

Sisters Bev and Elaine who came from Bury in Lancashire to Finsbury Migrant Hostel at Pennington 49 years ago have lived locally ever since and just opened their first business on Semaphore Road.

It may have taken them a long time, but their choice of business and their timing is spot on because they have taken over the well established Erika’s Café just when Semaphore is about to go to another level.
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This sanctuary here in this beautiful old Alberton Chapel provides a sacred space for hope and healing. It is a place for remembering and our place today to remember Susan Lodge, a lovely lady, a lady who graced this world for just 64 years.

Eulogy Celebration Service conducted at Alfred James Alberton Chapel by Jane Alexandra Stewart [18th June 2008]

Having some time yesterday with Susan’s boys, Marcus, Duncan, James and Jolyon, her daughter in law, Jessica and granddaughter, Gabrielle gave me an opportunity to learn a little about Susan.

Sadly I didn’t know her, my loss indeed. Susan influenced her children and grandchildren in such profound and enduring ways. I think she felt honoured to be a part of your lives.

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Some of those who attended, including Susan’s sons Jolyon, Marcus and James next to Jane Marr (left) as friend and SMA Committee member Andrea Murray pays tribute.

Many friends and three of her sons paid tribute to Susan Lodge at a special function at Phore Seasons Restaurant a week after her sudden death at 64.

Right: One of Susan’s closest friends Jenny Campbell consoles Andrea as she speaks about Susan.

Andrea, Jenny, Kathy Acworth and Helen Smith spoke of Susan’s dedicated and vital work for the Semaphore Main Street Association and their friendship with Susan and Jolyon responded on behalf of his mother.

Jenny spoke of Susan’s vitality, zest for life and her work for underprivileged children in India.

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