🗓 Things to Do

Things to do in Murray Bridge: January 28-February 3, 2022

All you need to know about the bunyip's 50th birthday party, the Strathalbyn Cup and other Murraylands events.

Peri Strathearn

Jan 27, 2022 — 3 min read

This is her excited face. Photo: SA Tourism Commission.

Fifty years ago this weekend, Dennis Newell’s crazy idea came to fruition.

The Ngarrindjeri legend of the mulyawonk, a creature said to live in the River Murray and prey on greedy fishers and children swimming alone, somehow inspired the fibreglass beast which was unveiled by then-Premier Don Dunstan in 1972.

The original, much scarier bunyip was first named Bert, but later became Bertha after she gave birth to a freakish baby who has since left the cave.

The beloved attraction now scares about 20,000 visitors every year at the press of a button.

Much about her has changed over the years, but she is still just the same on the inside – her roar is reportedly still played through the same tape deck Mr Newell took out of a car stereo 50 years ago.

Everyone is invited to the bunyip’s birthday party at 5pm this Saturday.

More information about the bunyip: www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Uniting SA will run a job readiness course at Murray Bridge Community Centre over the next eight weeks. Photo: Uniting SA/Facebook.

Friday ⛅ 26°

Moving Forward employability skills course: 9.30am-3pm at Murray Bridge Community Centre, 18 Beatty Terrace. First of eight weekly sessions for anyone aged 18 to 65 looking for a job or change of career, face to face or online, with Uniting SA. Register: 8259 2900 or surbank@unitingsa.com.au.

Bertha the Bunyip will turn 50 this Saturday. Image: Rural City of Murray Bridge.

Saturday ⛅ 28°

Murray Bridge bunyip/mulyawonk’s 50th birthday celebration: From 5pm at Sturt Reserve. Storytelling and speeches from 5pm; live music, food and kids’ activities from 5.45pm.

If you’ve ever wanted to take on the Bend’s race track under your own steam, you’ll get an opportunity this Sunday. Photo: The Bend Motorsport Park.

Sunday ☀ 32°

Cars and Coffee on the river at Mannum: From 8.30am at Arnold Park.

Strathalbyn Cup: From 11.30am at Strathalbyn Racing Club, 164 Dry Plains Road. Horse racing, wine, fashion, free activities. Tickets: From $20/15 at moshtix.com.au.

Cycle the Bend: 5-7pm at the Bend Motorsport Park. Take to the tarmac on your bicycle with your friends, family or cycle club. Register: $15 at thebend.rezdy.com.

Monday ⛅ 35°

Murray Bridge council meeting: From 7pm at the local government centre, 2 Seventh Street.

Tuesday ⛅ 24°

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Wednesday ⛅ 23°

Know of anything happening today? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

Thursday 💨 25°

Make 2022 your best year yet: 8.30-10.30am at Murray Bridge Golf Club. Seminar for small businesses about succeeding through COVID, with information about infection control, risk assessment, sick leave and retaining employees. Register: employsure.com.au.

Life stories with Peri: CANCELLED.

Moon Rock for Monday: 5.30pm at Murray Bridge Library. Thursday night movie about a young girl, a teenage boy and their search for a healing moon rock. Bookings essential: 8539 1175.

Let Murray Bridge News know about an upcoming event by emailing peri@murraybridge.news. Events may be listed at Murray Bridge News’ discretion.

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