District Council of Karoonda East Murray

08/09/2026

It's not just about the game. It's about community.

Whether you're on the field, on the sidelines, volunteering or catching up with friends, sporting clubs are a great place to connect.

We know many people hesitate to ask when they think someone might be doing it tough. But a simple check-in can make all the difference.

Take a moment to check in with a teammate, mate or volunteer.

💛 "How have you been going?"

A simple conversation can mean more than you know.

You can find support, conversation tips and free resources on the R U OK? website: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask?fbclid=IwY2xjawUMgKVwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVl6Q3g2ZmllWk5vRjdXbUVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeMwcOvVqGMASYMh43AwT0eRvHy-S2Q7fJdIsp9f3kYupYWTVD7YDwsZQDaOc_aem_psSacIwtz-5zp4-uItxc2Q

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘐-𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺.

07/09/2026

🙌 Public Question Time During Council Meetings 🙌

Public Question Time will be held at the beginning of every Ordinary Meeting of Council, with 15 minutes allocated. The next session will be held as follows:

📆 Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30pm – 7:45pm
📍 Location: Council Chambers, 11 Railway Terrace, Karoonda

To participate, questions must be submitted in writing using Council’s Public Question Form. The form is available on Council’s website at the following link:
https://www.dckem.sa.gov.au/council/council-meetings

👉 Alternatively, you can pick up a printed copy from Council Office Reception, 11 Railway Terrace, Karoonda.

📌 The Public Question Form must be submitted via email to: [email protected] or by delivering a copy to Council Office Reception by noon Monday prior to the Council Meeting to which it will be listed.

👥 Members of the public are welcome to attend the scheduled Council Meetings and observe from the public gallery in the Council Chambers.

07/09/2026

A conversation can start anywhere. Even at the kitchen table.

Whether it's over breakfast, a cuppa or dinner with the family, taking a few minutes to check in with someone can make a real difference.

This R U OK? day make time to ask: 💛 "Are you OK?"

A genuine conversation, a listening ear, and a simple check-in can help someone feel supported and connected.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen in the simplest moments.

Need help starting the conversation? Find practical tips, resources and support at:
https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘐-𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺.

06/09/2026

💛 R U OK? Day is this Thursday

A simple conversation could change a life.

This year's message is: If you're thinking it, Ask R U OK? Any Day.

Many people hesitate to ask, even when they think someone might be struggling. That's why R U OK? is encouraging us to trust our instincts and start a conversation when someone's on our mind.

Asking "Are you OK?" doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to happen.

Throughout this week, we'll be sharing a series of posts highlighting the many places in our community where meaningful conversations can happen, from the kitchen table to the sporting club and out in the paddock.

We also has a range of free R U OK? resources available from the Council Office, including:

👋 A Quick Guide to Asking R U OK?
👋 The Mateship Manual
👋 How to Help Someone Doing It Tough
👋 Resources for Small Business Owners
👋 Tips on How to Start the Conversation
👋 Free R U OK? Wristbands
👋 Free Kids Activity Books (limited supply)

Can't make it into the office? You can access these and other free resources online at:
https://www.ruok.org.au/community

🌳 You'll also notice the Karoonda main street trees glowing yellow each night throughout this week in support of R U OK? Day.

💛 Ask R U OK? Any Day, because a conversation could change a life.

04/09/2026

Book Club is back on Monday 7 September.

⏰ 11am
📍 Karoonda School Community Library

📚 Book Club Reminder! 📚

Don't forget, our next Book Club session is coming up:

🗓️ Monday 7th September
🕚 11:00 am
📍 Karoonda School Community Library

Grab your book and join us for a great chat and a cuppa! New faces are always welcome, so bring a friend along if you'd like. ☕✨

See you there!



Want me to tweak the tone (more casual, more formal), add what book you're discussing, or create a shorter version for an Instagram caption?

04/09/2026

📚☕ Join the Karoonda School Community Library for an afternoon with Adelaide author Lainie Anderson OAM. Discover the fascinating stories behind her bestselling historical mystery novels and enjoy a great conversation about history, mystery and storytelling.

Tuesday, 20 October 2026
12:00pm
RSVP: contact the Karoonda School Community Library on 8578 1120

📚 Meet the Author 📚

We're thrilled to be welcoming Adelaide author Lainie Anderson OAM to Karoonda School Community Library! ✨

Lainie is best known for her Petticoat Police Mystery series, including Murder on North Terrace and The Death of Dora Black, both inspired by the real story of pioneering policewoman Kate C***s 👮‍♀️

Grab a cuppa, bring a friend, and join us for a great chat about history, mystery and storytelling 📖

Save the date, details on the flyer below! Can't wait to see you there 💙

03/09/2026

🚧 Reporting from the Roads: Patrol Grading Progress 🚧

Our dedicated Works Crew are continuing to work through Council’s Patrol Grading Program. This fortnight, our team will be focusing on the following roads in the district:

👉 Grader 1:
Petras Road
Arbon Road
Blackett Road
Menadue Road
Hundred Line Road

👉 Grader 2:
Walkers Flat Road
Bitter Corner Road
Knights Well Road
Francis Road
Dart Road

🚜 Please note completion of grading is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

🚗 Reminder to motorists: Take care when driving on newly graded roads and always drive to the conditions. Additionally, please slow down when passing through work sites to ensure the safety of our team and everyone on the road. We appreciate your patience as we work to keep our roads safe and smooth for all.

More updates to come. 👋

03/09/2026

🏃 Active Club Program Grants Now Open

Local sport and recreation clubs can now apply for funding through the Active Club Program – Round 56.

Eligible clubs can apply for up to $3,000 to support:

✅ Programs and activities
✅ New equipment
✅ Menstrual health initiatives
✅ Small-scale infrastructure upgrades

With more than $1.4 million available across South Australia, this funding aims to help clubs create more opportunities for people to get active, get involved and feel connected to their community.

📅 Applications close at midday on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Find out more and apply here:
https://www.orsr.sa.gov.au/grants/active-club-program

💡 Not the right grant for your project?
You can explore hundreds of other funding opportunities with Council's FREE Grant Finder service Grant Guru. Find out more here: https://www.dckem.sa.gov.au/community/community-grants/grant-finder

🏃‍♀️ Active Club Funding Program - now open!

Active recreation, sport and recreational fishing clubs can now apply for their share of more than $1.4 million through the latest round of the Active Club Program. 🙌

💰 Clubs can receive up to $3,000 to support:
⚽ Programs and activities
🏐 New equipment
🌸 Menstrual health initiatives
🔨 Small-scale infrastructure upgrades

The funding is designed to help clubs create more opportunities for South Australians to get active, get involved and feel part of their community.

⏰ Applications close midday, Wednesday 14 October 2026.

👉 For more information and to apply, visit: https://bit.ly/4xhtxst

03/09/2026

Achieve Your Study and Career Goals 🙌

Are you a parent or carer of a child under 6 and thinking about returning to study, training or work?

Parent Pathways is a free, voluntary program that provides personalised support to help you achieve your education, training and employment goals. A dedicated mentor can assist with things like resumes, childcare, training opportunities, transport support and finding a pathway that works for you and your family.

👉 Access financial support (up to $1,250 per year) ie laptop, training, text books
👉 Access transport and driving lessons
👉 Find and keep a job
👉 Explore study or training
👉 Referrals to health and wellbeing support
👉 Free one-on-one mentoring

Uniting SA visits Karoonda monthly, making it easy to access support locally.

To find out more:
📞 Contact the Murray Bridge office on 8548 9402
💻 Complete an Expression of Interest via the Parent Pathways website: https://unitingsa.com.au/community-services/parent-pathways/

02/09/2026

🔒 Community Safety Information Sessions Coming to Karoonda

The District Council of Karoonda East Murray has partnered with the South Australia Police to bring a series of free Community Safety Information Sessions to Karoonda.

📍 Held at the Karoonda School Community Library
🕐 Wednesday at 1:00pm from 30 September to 4 November

Topics include scam awareness, personal safety, home security, vehicle and bicycle security, and rural security.

If any of these topics interest you, come along and join us. Sessions will be held at the Karoonda School Community Library, we thank the Library for kindly hosting these community sessions.

Please note: the Library will be closed to students during these sessions.

♿ We welcome everyone to attend. If you have any accessibility requirements or need support to participate, please contact Council prior to the session.

Contact Council on (08) 8578 1004 or email [email protected].