Bill O’Brien JP | Public figure

Bill O’Brien JP

Phone: +61 488 025 862

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21.01.2022 It was a privilege and honour to present the Mayor’s Address and officiate at the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony to a large audience and conducted at the wonderful F.A.R.M Centre at Freeling. I congratulate the recipients of the awards and sincerely welcome our six ‘new' Australian Citizens. Special thanks also to staff members Lorinda Bailey and Stacie Dickson along with the volunteers and members of the Freeling Recreation Park Committee. Also a big thank yo...u to Australia Day Ambassador Professor Peter Langridge for his excellent presentation.. I also had the pleasure of presenting the Mayor’s Inspiration Award to Mr. Lynn Martin ex Principal of Xavier College in a very emotional and fitting ceremony. Thank you Lynn for your amazing contribution and inspiration to all you came in contact with over your 16 year journey at Xavier College and it was great to see so many of the Xavier community present. You’re caring and humility and inspiration I will never forget...

20.01.2022 Well its school holidays and I invite all the young (and not so young) people to join me at a special event being held at Hewett tomorrow......I am so looking forward to telling the storey of one of Australia’s most famous people, Sir Sidney Kidman - The Cattle King who lived at Kapunda for over 30 years....Please come along and bring your friends to listen this fascinating story on a walk through the park.... Cheers!! Mayor Bill

20.01.2022 I would like to acknowledge and express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those volunteers for your gift of time, compassion and support for our communities and in helping other people many who are less fortunate than themselves, in difficult circumstances or in a multitude of other ways Volunteering is a quintessential Australian trait which adds to our social fabric and demonstrates Australia’s proud culture of giving.... Mayor Bill

18.01.2022 Great to see life beginning to return to the way we left it in March 2020... Lets all continue to do the right thing and listen and act on all the advice from our leaders both State and Federal as they have done an outstanding job in keeping us all safe...Looking at this wonderful playground I often wish I was a kid again... Enjoy yourselves ‘little ones’...

18.01.2022 Kapunda Cornish Pisky names needed Kapunda is launching a Cornish Pisky Trail for families in September; these new cute Kapunda Pisky characters all need names.... Kids pop into the Kapunda VIC to learn more about the Kapunda Piskies and grab a form with all their pictures to give them each their own name. #lightregionalcouncil #sacouncils #partofyoureveryday

17.01.2022 I wish to draw your attention to a forthcoming Seniors Outing Program to the Gawler Cinema. I understand not everyone has a computer so please pass this information on should you know someone who may like to enjoy this outing or give Community Development Officer Lorinda Bailey a call to register your interest or for more information...Great to see our Council taking care of our senior citizens in this way...Mayor Bill

15.01.2022 Good Day All! I wish to draw you attention to the next scheduled ‘Hard Waste Pick Up’ in the Light Regional Council area. As there are limited limited bookings I would recommend you book as soon as possible. Although there are no dates and times available at present, on booking you will be provided with the details of the service and your booking will be confirmed via email or other means if necessary.. This is certainly an excellent free service for residents and extremely well organised providing a great opportunity to remove those ‘hard to get rid of items’ at no cost ... Cheers!!! Mayor Bill

14.01.2022 The following article appeared in the online version of this weeks Barossa Herald. I would take this opportunity to congratulate the Council staff involved and the Community Focus Group that help drive this wonderfull addition to the Main Street of Kapunda .... I don’t believe this pic does justice to this Village Square and I would encourage you to visit and form your own opinion, you may even enjoy a game of table tennis while you are there.... Cheers!!! Mayor Bill

13.01.2022 It was great news at Freeling last Friday when the Minister the Hon Stephan Knoll MP announced SA Government matching grant funding of $150.000 toward an upgrade of the Skate Park and creation of a Pedestrian Gateway to the F.A.R.M Centre at Freeling. I am sure the young people along with the residents of Freeling and beyond will enjoy these facilities and upgrades... This entire amenity is a wonderful example of what can be done when the Community, Council and the SA & Federal Government work together for the greater good..I must acknowledge the efforts of Ward Councillors Mark Franchom and Lynette Reichstein and other community members for their tireless efforts in making this Gateway and Skatepark project happen and thank them very much...

11.01.2022 Mayor’s Inspiration Award 2021 - Mr Ross Vogt I first met Ross Vogt in 1992 when I applied for a position as ‘part time’ Tourist Officer with the then Kapunda District Council of which Ross was a Council member and heavily involved in tourism in Kapunda and was on the selection panel. I was fortunate to be appointed to this position and this began our relationship along with a strong and lasting friendship that continues to this day. I feel so proud to present this award to a... person who I admire and respect that has done so much in promoting and supporting Kapunda and individual community members along with the many projects he has been involved in. It would be fair to say Ross Vogt’s life’s journey has been quite extraordinary full of many hight lights and full of challenges and wonderful events and achievements which include being our ‘Citizen Of The Year’. The Kaunda Museum, possibly the finest ‘Folk Museum’ in Australia was initiated by Ross and contains many of his own personal possessions. Ross consistently opens his home for people to visit and to explore his wonderful collection of artefacts and memorabilia and recollections of days gone by, even coaches loads have stopped by. His passion has always included the Pines Conservation Reserve just out of Kapunda and is n active member of the management committee and a major benefactor, contributing funds, equipment and labour. Ross Vogt is currently 97 years old still a competent driver (he has an MG sports car among other vehicles) and has only just hung up the ‘motor bikes’ He continues to carry outs repairs at the museum and anywhere else that can benefit from his excellent carpentry skills. I believe Mr Ross Vogt has not only been a great contributor to the the region he is also held in very high esteem by clubs and organisations across the state. A very worthy recipient indeed for the Mayor’s Inspirational Award for 2021

11.01.2022 Both myself and Council have received a number of enquiries regarding the Development Application attached to the ‘Oscar’ tourist accomodation proposal planned to be located at Seppeltsfield. In response and in order to put some context to the planning and decision making process, the following information sets out the history and process to date of this application which I trust you will find helpful and may assist with any submission you may wish to put forward...All Develo...Continue reading

11.01.2022 Well we are counting down the days to hosting this international and spectacular event involving 150 competitors from 14 countries arriving in Kapunda...Let’s ensure we give them a huge Kapunda welcome .....

11.01.2022 You maybe aware that Barossa Council and the Town of Gawler Council are both preparing submissions to the Boundaries Reform Commission to substantially extend their Council boundaries taking in a very large proportion of our region which would have very serious implications for the future of Light Regional Council. Set out below is a motion I put to the Council meeting held on the 24th September 2019. I trust I spoke passionately and the message was powerfully in stating tha...t we must resist this challenge for the greater good of our residents and the region. The Councillors were unanimous in their support. This will be a long journey and I hope to keep you all informed of progress on the way... My apologies for not including Councillors Jason Grain, David Mosely Sharon Lewis in voting for this motion

10.01.2022 Last evening I attended the Kapunda High School Presentation Evening and was honoured to present the Mayoral Youth Recognition Awards for Educational Achievement on behalf of Light Regional Council...The Award recognises one male and one female student for their academic achievement, citizenship and positive values, including integrity, responsibility, respect and cooperation. The Awards this year where presented to Ella Fiegert and Samuel Woods both outstanding students and... great ambassadors and role models for Kapunda High School. Presenting these special awards is one of the most enjoyable tasks I perform as Mayor and indeed a great honour. On behalf of Council and our communities I congratulate and wish both Ella and Samuel well in what ever career path they journey down in the future ...... Good luck and well done Ella and Samuel.... Mayor Bill

10.01.2022 In the Light Region residents have just experienced our first Extreme Fire Danger Day for this season and there is more to come. For those who may need some help or guidance in preparing a ‘Bush Fire Action Plan’ the information set out bellow will be most helpful..I would encourage you to be prepared and attend if you have any concerns what so ever....

09.01.2022 I had the honour and privilege to officially open the Kidman Collection which will be permanently housed in the Thompson Building above the Kapunda Library...We were joined by my friend Christo Reid who is a great Grandson of Sir Sidney Kidman who provided a great backdrop to the life of Sir Sidney Kidman - The Cattle King an outstanding collection and entry is free... Council remain eternally grateful to Christo for providing this wonderful collection for public viewing highlighting the background to this great Australian...

08.01.2022 Congratulations to Shakira Pollard and Elijah Smith as this years Mayoral Youth Recognition Awards for Academic Achievement recipients. You are both fine young role models too so many other students at the outstanding Kapunda High School. I wish you well in all your future endeavours... Mayor Bill

08.01.2022 Council continue to provide a Hard Waste - Pick Up for residents and I am pleased to bring to your attention Sol are now taking bookings for the next round... This is a great opportunity to remove all those difficult items large and small from your property. It would also be most appreciated if you know of any of our senior residents or those disadvantaged residents who have limited access to public notices and may be able to use this service. If you could let them know and maybe help them, or contact me and I will follow this up I would be most grateful . Many thanks in advance...

06.01.2022 The Kapunda Town Square was officially opened by The Member for Stuart the Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP, Ngadjuri Elder, Quentin Agius and Mayor Bill O’Brien on Saturday 23rd March 2019.... The opening of the Town Square marked the end of an extraordinary and challenging 3 year journey from just a dream, to a concept and then to the realisation of a park for the people in the centre of this historic but progresive town..... The highlight for me was listening to the children singing on stage being the first performance in the Square. I am sure I speak for the more than one thousand people present they were wonderful and a great credit to their teachers and parents....

05.01.2022 Mr. Lynn Martin the recipient of the Mayor’s Inspiration Award. Such an honour and pleasure to present this award to Lynn Martin who has inspired so many people with his actions and humility and dedication to the education of students and development of Xavier College along with his brave fight against an insidious disease...Keep up the good fight in your retirement Lynn and I know you will.....

05.01.2022 I would encourage everyone who can to attend this Australia Day Breakfast & Awards Ceremony to be held at the fabulous F.A.R.M Centre in Freeling. I will also have the honour and pleasure in presenting the Mayor’s Inspirational Award to a very well deserving citizen... Hope to see you there for a catch up and a chat...Mayor Bill

05.01.2022 I would draw your attention to the next Hard Waste Collection for Ratepayers offered in conjunction with Solo Resource Recovery, who are contracted to deliver Council’s three bin household waste collection service. To be part of this Hard Waste Disposal Service you will need to make a booking with Solo. Phone: 8295 5077 or ... Email: [email protected] This is an excellent free service but has a limited number of collections. I would recommend you book early. It’s a great opportunity to dispose of those hard to get rid of old household and domestic appliances, fridges, books along with other assorted junk. After booking you will be notified with a date for pick up and the rules attached. Cheers!!! Mayor Bill

04.01.2022 I was recently fortunate to be interviewed by Julia Langrehr in Adelaide as part of a series of interviews produced by a good friend Pete Titchener who amongst other things , plays guitar with Aussie legendary folk singer Eric Bogel. I felt honoured and very humbled to be invited as a guest on this series which also includes five well known South Australians and placed on YouTube.....Hope you like this....

04.01.2022 Please take this opportunity to think about Council’s 2020 Australia Day Awards and those special people and events that you believe should be recognised for their contribution to our communities. Entry forms are currently available and are relatively simple to complete. However should you require any assistance I would be only too happy to help. Let's recognise those selfless folk who make our towns and region such a great place to live, work & play...Please contact me at any reasonable time if you require assistance Mobile 0488025862... Cheers!! Mayor Bill

03.01.2022 Kapunda is fortunate and honoured to be hosting this Red Bull Extreme Event at Davidson Reserve (The Duckpond) at Kapunda. Currently there are 147 entries from 14 different countries. Full details are available in a pack from a link below... I hope to see you there...

03.01.2022 I am so pleased to inform you that the Accident & Emergency Service located at Kapunda Hospital will be re-opening at 8am on Monday 7th December 2020.......Please remember to consider the amazing health workers and others and comply with all COVID-19 directions.... Mayor Bill

02.01.2022 I have prepared this little ‘imaginary’ story in order to express my thoughts regarding the proposed boundary reform submissions being prepared by the Barossa Council and the Town of Gawler Council to the SA Boundaries Commission. Limited to 400 words was the only constraint and the article is unedited...I hope you understand where I’m coming from....Thanks for reading this..

02.01.2022 You maybe aware legislation has been passed by the SA State Government to lift the current Genetically Modified (GM) crop moratorium to allow GM crops to be grown on mainland SA under changes to the Genetically Modified Crop Management Act 2004. Council may apply to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development to retain Non-GM Crop Status. As a result Council is seeking the views of its communities, industry and potential trade marketing impacts. I would encourage you have your say and invite you to follow the advice set out bellow. Your views are important to us...... Mayor Bill

02.01.2022 Once again I’m looking forward to attending the Celebrate - NAIDOC 2021 at Clare Showgrounds on Sunday 29th August 2021. I would encourage you to attend this very well organised event celebrating ‘First Nations people living on Ngadjuri Country. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of an excellent cultural and learning experience. Mayor Bill