Mayor4Unley

Thinking about retirement or just slowing down by shedding some work commitments? What does it mean? How will you be impacted? Do you need hobbies or need to get involved in the community? It must be slightly daunting for those approaching retirement. I’ve heard people say to those about to retire … ‘well what are you going to do?’ Unley Council has heard of these concerns and the Council Library is hosting a retirement discussion panel. Here are the details: Prime Time: Retirement Discussion Panel Unley Councillor Michael Rabbitt, Former MP John Hill, Probus President Pauline Rattley and Probus member John Schwerdt will share their experience and knowledge of the transition to retirement and the challenges of post-career life. Join the conversation and pick up some tips as you enter the prime of your life. It’s a free session! Get along to the Unley Town Hall in Oxford Terrace, Unley on Saturday 07 November, 3-4pm. To register, click here  ...

The Unley Council will be providing recharge stations across Unley, at community centres and libraries. A good idea. For more information, visit Cr Don Palmer’s blog via http://www.donpalmer.org/good-news-for-mobility-scooters-in-unley/ or visit Cr Mike Hudson’s blog via https://grumpyinunley.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/plug-in-and-keep-on-rolling/

The pundits have it that eBooks are everywhere and they will replace paper based books – you know the ones that are nice to hold, bound in cardboard or leather, the ones that are easy to read and cause less eye strain – the type of books that you can dog ear for easy reference. Yes, eBooks are available and they have their place. But, certainly not as a big bold glossy book on the coffee table. When people visit their local library they expect to find in the main, traditional books and electronic media eg. CDs, DVDs – something to hold and touch. What the eBook pundits have not realised is that despite the availability of personal mobile devices (that can read an eBook) there is not a rich availability of titles. It comes down to licensing complications and the publishers have no intention of letting go and loosening the reins. It’s a long story … I spent an hour with a librarian the other day and was staggered by the difficulty of libraries to economically stock a wide ...

When my kids were growing up, we spent a lot of time at Goodwood Community Centre and the nearby Goodwood Library and Toy Library. It's a friendly environment with a host of activities catering for the young, the very young and those a bit older. I remember the regular Saturday mornings I spent at GoodyGym. We then went over to the Toy Library and loaded the car with toys to keep the kids busy over the coming week. Last night I attended a public forum hosted by Unley Council in the Goodwood Community Centre. Local traders and residents were briefed on the upcoming project to underground power lines on Goodwood Road (for ~ 400m) and rip up and replace the footpaths and install enhanced streetscape treatment to vitalise the Goodwood shopping precinct. It will look fantastic. Whilst there I picked up some brochures that advertised events, classes and services in the local cultural hub (of the Library and Community Centre). It also provided information about activities at the other ...

The function and purpose of libraries is being challenged. Are books really out of fashion? I challenge that suggestion. Maybe they are becoming unfashionable and less read. Replaced by electronic media? Replaced by CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray? Curling up to book is a better feel than snuggling a CD. Whatever, the function of libraries is changing and whilst cracks of change might only appear on the surface now, there will be rapid shift in the near future. Libraries must recognise the need to change and embrace and experiment when the opportunity arises. It’s always better to be in control and driving the change rather than playing the hard game of catch-up. I found this interesting story about libraries in the USA that are establishing innovative and high tech facilities (aka. Workshops and Maker Labs) within the existing library. A practical example is the installation of 3D printers.  Residents can use the printers to make whatever they wish eg. a mobile phone case (yellow...