Special Council Meeting - City of Burnside

Church Service
St David’s Church | 20 August 2006
By 1861 there were just 261 dwellings in Burnside,
with the District having a population of 1,210 people.
Of these, 457 had been born in South Australia.
The fi rst Council chambers remained in operation
until 1928, when construction of the current Council
chambers on the corner of Greenhill and Portrush
Road was completed. By this time the population of
Burnside was around 20,000 and there were around
5,000 homes.
150 years after its inception, the Burnside Council
continues to govern on behalf of the community.
Like the Church, our City has changed with the
world to meet the demands and expectations
of a modern society. Burnside has grown into a
community of more than 42,000 people with a
myriad of backgrounds, incomes and lifestyles.
However, remembering our history and the values
that have helped shape us into the individuals and
groups we are today is vitally important.
Our history is something to honour and treasure.
Only a few weeks ago the Reverend was telling me
what an honour it is to have his offi ce in the original
Burnside Council Chambers.
Everyday we create history. Even our smallest
actions can have an effect on other people, and we
should all strive to do the best we can everyday and
be proud of what we do.
We should be proud of what we have achieved.
There is nothing wrong with taking a moment to
refl ect on what we have done, and see if there is
any way we can make it better in the future.
Whether it is an individual action, or something you
have done with others, we should try and do the
best we can, ensuring our actions and behaviours
are something that future generations can look back
at with pride.
Creating and keeping a sense of community
has formed a strong part in forging the Burnside
of today. Looking back through old images and
historical records, it is obvious that Burnside
residents cared for each other and their city, and
were very proud of what they did and where they
lived. We all need to play our part in keeping that
community spirit alive.
The fellowship experienced by churchgoers and
other community groups is a leading example of
this. Creating and keeping a sense of support and a
community is a key role of community organizations
in today’s society.
Our City has developed, and signifi cant changes
have occurred to our landscape and way of life.
Remembering the past is important to Burnside,
but so is planning for the future, as new sets of
challenges will face us, both as individuals and as
a community.
Archdeacon David Thorton-Wakefield addresses
the congregation
Members of St David’s Parish in period costume
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