Recreation area built by students

There are several pretty community parks in Mawson Lakes where you can have a picnic or an outdoor party.

One of them is at Fourth Avenue Reserve overlooking Dry Creek Linear Park at the entrance to The Cove. This little park was built in 2010 as a learn-a-trade project by students from local schools. Construction of a recreation area with BBQ and shelter gave students a real building site to work on and helped them understand the skills involved in the construction industry.

You’ll see an impressive timber bridge, concrete path, stairs, shelter, barbecue, retaining walls, steps, grading of banks and landscaping. A plaque explains that students gained skills in carpentry, metal work, bricklaying and paving, painting, landscaping and irrigation.

Thanks to this project, a beautiful recreational space exists for residents and visitors to enjoy. It’s a perfect place for your next family outing.

Gardens of Mawson Lakes - Glorious Mandevilla

Every time I pass this beautiful red Mandevilla that is growing through a fence on Douglas Mawson Boulevard, I stop in admiration. It blooms prolifically from spring to autumn reaching up with bright red flowering trumpets and bushy dark green leaves.

Mandevillas are among the prettiest summerflowering vines that range in colour from white, pink and crimson. They love the sun and are equally dramatic in the garden clinging to a fence, or as a patio or balcony feature winding around a bamboo stake tepee in a pot. They need a support such as a trellis, fence or wall and they love clinging to archways.

What TREE is that?

If you are looking for trees that are well suited to Mawson Lakes watch these pages for a description of a different tree each month. Locations where you can see the trees will be advised.

This month I am starting with a small tree that does very well in our conditions and can be seen all over ML on verges, in parks and in gardens.

The FLOWERING ASH is a pretty petite evergreen tree with showy pinnacles of wispy off-white flowers in late spring to summer. It grows to about 7 metres so is suitable for small gardens.

Although vigorous and fast-growing, they are well behaved and can be pruned to promote a bushy habit, or left alone to climb freely. Pruning will promote new growth.

These plants do not like the cold and will lose their leaves in winter but return in the spring. They will grow indoors if placed near a well lit window.

Water when dry and feed regularly with a liquid or slow release fertiliser. If the foliage loses colour, or turns yellow, your plant is starving so feed and water well. Rich, organic soil is best.

There are several varieties of Mandevilla, including Mandevilla Pink Petite with gorgeous pink flowers, excellent for pots and growing up trellises or fences. Or try Mandevilla Red Riding Hood for a dramatic effect.

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Foliage is lush green, bark is grey and the tree provides a good canopy making it a nice shade tree.

Establishment takes about two years in which time it needs fertiliser and water every fortnight (in dry weather) as the roots develop slowly. After that it becomes quite drought resistant and only moderate watering is required and a little fertilizer.

There is a good display in Ashwood Crescent.

1. Juvenile Flowering Ash.

2. Mature Flowering Ash at 25 The Walk.

Ad by Lynette Eggins Design

Find the Words

Buried in the maze are the villages of Mawson Lakes. Can you find them?

Bridges Brookside Cascades

Cove Mawson Central Parkway

Peninsula Peninsula Walk Peppercorns

Sanctuary Shearwater Shoalhaven

Trinity Green

Puzzle contributed by Darina and Casey.

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Mums and bubs socialising at Mawson Lakes

When babies get together they love to socialise, even if they are too little to talk. They smile at each other, roll over to look around, pick up each other’s toys and touch each other’s shoes and clothing. And socialising is what the babies do on a Monday morning at the New Parents Group coordinated by local volunteer Bec Feltus who lives at Mawson Lakes.

While the babies enjoy each other’s company the new parents chat about teething problems, food, sleep patterns, dental care and all sorts of baby topics.

Bec says that being a mum for the first time can come as a shock and be a rather lonely experience, and even thought there are good books and websites, there’s nothing like talking to other mums and sharing experiences.

“Having someone to talk to and knowing that they are facing the same issues is reassuring,” said Bec who is a former pediatric nurse and now works as a paramedic with the SA Ambulance Service.

After a play on the carpet, parents and babies go for a stroll around Sir Douglas Mawson Lake and have lunch at a local café.

The group is for babies from birth to one year old. It meets every second Monday in the Mawson Lakes Children’s Library from 10am during school terms. For more information phone Bec on 0422 425 967

Repairs to the lake

Earthworks and excavations on the eastern side of Sir Douglas Mawson Lake are part of Stage 2 of the repair of the lake.

Ballast placed against the wall will prevent further movement, the pathway is being levelled and paving stones are being replaced.

Kelvin Trimper from Lend Lease said the date for completion of the work is early February. Landscaping will follow and the lake should be restored to its former beauty by April.

Hang out encounters

Imagine

you are heading for your favourite Mawson Lakes café when your smart phone buzzes and tells you, “Why not try the café around the corner, where you can meet Philip who shares your passion for model yachts.”

Implausible? Not any more, all the foundations of such a system exist now. Applications on smart phones (apps) can track and remember your regular movements, so they can predict where you are going. From your Facebook and other on-line profiles they know your interests so they can create a mobile version of Facebook that can facilitate spontaneous meetings of people with common interests whose paths come close to each other. Such meetings are being called “hang out events.”

Networks like this predict where you will go, how long you will stay and who you may (or could) meet there. They could facilitate a “chance” encounter with someone of social, professional or even romantic interest.

Source: New Scientist #2840

‘Old Dingo’ lives in Mawson Lakes

In the austere days of 1948 after WW2, as a rather impecunious 16 year old apprentice plasterer, mad on motor bikes, especially the dirt trails variety, obtaining one was rather difficult, as in those days one had to hand over your meagre pay packet to Mother, who in return gave you 5 shillings. With odd jobs and selling firewood, I managed to obtain a clapped out 1934 250cc Royal Enfield commuter, complete with hand change.

So begins the book ‘Old Dingo’, a humorous collection of short stories about motor cycle riding by Alan Hainsworth, who, today, at the age of 80 still loves to jump on a motor bike and seek off-road thrills in the Adelaide Hills

In his garage at Mawson Lakes Alan keeps five bikes stacked in a line and every Sunday, bright and early, he and a mate ride into The Hills for some outdoor action on the cross country trails.

“Riding on a road is so boring, but in the bush you have to concentrate and have your wits about you,” said the veteran who has photographs and trophies on display as a reminder of his years in Canada and America when he rode competitively.

Although a widower, Alan will never be idle, he simply has too many interests and talents. Mingled with his bikes in his garage is his art studio where he makes plaster urns and small wooden boxes.

When he was a boy he attended art college for several years and although it was a while ago, this knowledge is being put to good use now as the artist in Alan paints and decorates his urns and boxes. He is also a good gardener and his bushes show his talent for topiary.

The Old Dingo is very much alive, still riding and still delighting in telling tales about his action adventures.

Word for January

Celebration - noun party, gathering, jamboree, festivities, fête, festival, carnival, gala, function; shindig, bash, informal do, rave.

Summer Snapshots

Long days and clear skies bring people and their pets outdoors to enjoy the many parks, lakes, walking paths and bicycle tracks in Mawson Lakes.

Interpretive trail along the creek

An outdoor guide to the life and history of Dry Creek from the Levels Homestead to the Strand Bridge (near the school) has been developed by the students of Mawson Lakes School in partnership with local organisations.

The interpretive trail consists of ten large posters giving information on different aspects of the riparian environment such as wetland birds, insects and spiders, trees and bushes, flooding and drought, amphibians and reptiles.

A history of the creek looks at changes over time from 10,000 years ago, through the pastoral era and now to the creek’s place in an urban landscape.

Teachers who coordinated the project, Belinda Robertson and Barry Silkstone, said it has been a most engaging, hands-on learning experience that has involved students in research, observation and photography. “A lot of computer layout work has gone into bringing all the elements together in a form that can be easily accessed by the public,” said Belinda.

So, next time you take a walk along Linear Park, on either side of the creek, look out for the sign boards that have been designed for outdoor use and erected by Council.

Many people contributed to the project as advisers and financial supporters, including the Mawson Lakes Trust Fund, Melissa Allery from Natural Resource Management Education, Tamika Cook from City of Salisbury Biodiversity Office, Colin Taylor from Mawson Lakes Environment Watch and Delene Weber from UniSA, Environmental Science and Sustainable Environments.

From the student’s perspective:

Danish: I learned about rubbish and pollution and how important it is to keep our environment clean.

Georgia: I loved the visual art side of the project and learned about design and the colours that are suitable for an environmental poster.

Casey: This project really developed my computer skills. I got to use different programs and there was a lot of sharing of knowledge and skills between our class members and teachers.

A dog is part of the family. We like to go places with our owners and we influence their decision making about where to go and what to buy, so it’s nice to meet others who share this understanding of our place in the social order. Here’s a good example . . .

It was a warm Sunday morning so we decided to go for a bicycle ride around West Lakes.

My mummy and daddy ride a tandem bicycle and I run along side. I race like a hare to keep up so it doesn’t take long to reach heat overload, then it’s in for a swim and a game of sticks on the white sand of the city beach.

When the exercise is over we all head for The Boatshed Café West Lakes to catch a cool breeze and watch the rowers. New owners have taken over the café and what a difference a dog-loving owner makes.

When daddy ordered coffees, the friendly waiter turned to me and said, “And a puppy chino for the dog?” I couldn’t believe my ears.

What admirable consideration for the third member of the family. “Oh yes please,” I replied, and my tail began to wagg in delight.

Along came Lachlie with a little mug of white froth and a sprinkle of chocolate on top – on the house! That’s Lachlie in the picture serving it up.

I’m not sure what my vet Dr Brendan would say, but to me it was the most delicious treat. Daddy whipped out his iPhone to record that last little bit of froth on my lips.

I’m happy to report that more and more places regard a dog as a member of the family. As such we are treated with respect and courtesy.

My mummy and her friends simply WON’T GO, if they can’t take their dog!

Tell me about your favourite place and send a photo if you have one. Let’s spread the good news about dog-friendly places here in Mawson Lakes and elsewhere. I can recommend any place with my paw print on the ad.

Protein, zinc, copper, omega-6 and omega-3 are essential to build healthyskin and coat, the visible sign of a healthy nutritious diet.

Pet care with Dr Brendan

Bondi has Dr Chris, Tasmania has Dr Harry and we have our own fun-loving, warm-hearted vet in Mawson Lakes, Dr Brendan. Living welcomes Dr Bendan Maguire as a regular contributor on pet health and care.

Summer Scratching

Summer is truly upon us, and with the sunshine comes a number of potential problems for pet owners.

Dogs in particular can be exposed to outdoor problems as their owners, keen to shake off the Christmas excess, increase exercise regimes. Summer is the season of grass seeds, cut paws, heatstroke, bee stings and itchy coats for dogs.

Cats on the other hand enjoy stalking the local fauna, which can be harmless fun (for the cat at least), but can result in potentially fatal problems such as brown snake bites.

With our abundance of grassy walkways and wetland trails, itchy skin is a problem that affects dogs in Mawson Lakes. Niggly itches persist, not bad enough to see the vet, but enough to keep owners awake at night with the sound of chewing and scratching!

There are lots of things an owner can do to help. Good coat care starts with regular grooming, especially in fluffy dogs. Using a good quality dog shampoo designed for itchy skins will help restore the normal balance within the skin.

Dogs of Mawson Lakes

A balanced diet is essential for general health as well as skin health. Fatty acid supplements (especially evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil) in the diet can be useful to reduce skin inflammation. Many of the premium dog food companies produce diets with these ingredients already included. Look for them on the label.

Some dogs have allergies to pollens, dust and fluff which are difficult to avoid, but can settle down as the pollen count falls. Others seem to have a longer term problem. Unfortunately antihistamines on their own are not very effective in many dogs, but can be useful in combination with other medications prescribed by your vet.

So start with the basics of good skin health and if the itch persists, seek more specific veterinary advice.

More next month!