Things to do in Murray Bridge: October 20–26, 2023

Forty years ago, two bison walked into a paddock, and so began the story of one of the Murraylands’ best-loved tourist attractions.

Monarto had been a thriving agricultural community before Don Dunstan came along with the ill-fated idea of building a city there; but after that plan fell through, 1000 hectares of mallee scrub was left without a purpose.

At first, the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia planned to use the property as a private habitat for animals not on display at Adelaide Zoo, like those two bison, and elk, deer, antelope and ostriches.

But by the 1990s, it was decided to open Monarto Zoo to the public.

Nowadays, the renamed Monarto Safari Park offers visitors from around the world the biggest safari experience outside Africa, with an Australian-first lion experience and elephants on the way.

Its 40th birthday will be celebrated this Saturday, as you’ll see below.

Happy birthday, Monarto Safari Park.

To express an interest in sponsoring this weekly feature, contact jane@murraybridge.news.

Friday ⛅ 34°

Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo: 10am–3pm at the Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre, 17 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge. Everyone’s welcome to attend this free expo featuring food, coffee, massage, yoga, stalls and more. Hear from guest speakers Kevin Kropinyeri and Hannah Arnold. For more information, contact the Murray Bridge council on 8539 1100 or Genuine Support Services Australia on 8166 7577.

Tailem Bend street party: 4.30-8pm on Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend. Vintage, classic, muscle and drag car and motorbike displays; live music and entertainment; food stalls and trucks.

Make + Sip: Create a welcome lei, sustainably: 6pm–8pm at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, 27 Sixth Street, Murray Bridge. If you’re 18 years old or over and into an evening of art, ideas, crafting and lots of fun with a leading Adelaide contemporary jeweller, then this is for you. Lauren Simeoni will guide you through experimenting with making jewellery using found objects, sustainable materials and new simple “low-fi” techniques. No experience in jewellery making is required. Crafting tools, materials and safety glasses will be supplied. Cost: $35; $35 concession. Price includes a complimentary glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink. For bookings and for more information, visit eventbrite.com.

Live music in the lounge: 7.30-10.30pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge.

Saturday 🌬️ 19°

Variety Aussie Muscle Car Run: 6.30am–8.30am at 1 Murray Cods Drive, Murray Bridge. This car run from Variety, the Children’s Charity of South Australia, will run from October 21 to 28 and will travel 1779km from Murray Bridge through to Mount Panorama, Bathurst. Organisers of the event, which will raise funds for children who are sick or disadvantaged or have special needs, encourage the community to come down to take a look at the amazing vehicles on display before they zoom off. For more infromation, contact Natasha Morgan on 8293 8744 or at natasha@varietysa.org.au.

National Drag Racing Championship: 9am-9pm at the Dragway at the Bend, Tailem Bend. The Australian Top Fuel Championship comes to the newly built dragway at the Bend Motorsport Park, along with top fuel motorcycles, doorslammers and pro stock motorcycles; qualifying Saturday, elimination Sunday. Tickets: From $45 at www.outix.co.

Monarto Safari Park’s 40th birthday: 9.30am–5pm at Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Road, Monarto. The team at Monarto Safari Park are turning 40 and are inviting you to celebrate on the day of the first-ever Run Wild event (see below). Cheer on the runners as they cross the finish line. You can also enjoy plenty of fun, music and laughs with a special welcome to country by Uncle Clyde, presentations, the planting of an historic time capsule, face-painting and temporary tattoos. You can also visit the Sanaa Exhibition Room to learn about the park’s history. For more information, visit monartosafari.com.au or phone 8548 9501.

Run Wild: Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Road, Monarto. Run Wild is a fundraising challenge to raise funds to bring three elephants to Monarto Safari Park. Run, walk or wheelchair past some of the most awesome animals on the planet while helping to bring elephants to the region. Choose from the fun run ctageory (3km, 10km) or compete in the half (21.1km) or full marathon (42.2km). Therte’s even an option to virtually take part anywhere between October 20 and 22. For more information, phone Jo Edwards on 0423 596 730 or visit monartosafari.com.au.

Aussie medium Simon Hay at the Bridgeport Hotel: 8-10pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge. Psychic medium, medical intuitive and healer Simon Hay will amaze and entertain you with messages and accurate information from spirit, for ages 16-plus, please read this disclaimer before attending. Tickets: $55 at events.humanitix.com/aussie-medium-simon-hay-at-the-bridgeport-hotel.

Sunday ⛅ 19°

National Drag Racing Championship: 9am-5pm at the Dragway at the Bend, Tailem Bend. The Australian Top Fuel Championship comes to the newly built dragway at the Bend Motorsport Park, along with top fuel motorcycles, doorslammers and pro stock motorcycles; qualifying Saturday, elimination Sunday. Tickets: From $45 at www.outix.co.

Free beginner reformer pilates class: 9-10am at Move Pilates Studio, 39 Lookout Drive, Murray Bridge East. Try a great all-round workout. Sign up: clients.mindbodyonline.com.

Live music in the lounge: 2-5pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge.

Monday ☀️ 27°

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

Tuesday ⛅ 25°

Storytime at Murray Bridge Library: 9.30am–10am every Tuesday during the school term at Murray Bridge Library. If you have children aged from 0 to 5, bring them to the library to feel the magic of stories. For more information, contact the library on 8539 1175 or at library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Wednesday ☁️ 19°

Don’t get scammed!: 10am–12pm at the Murray Bridge Library. Listen to a senior constable from SAPOL’s Crime Prevention Unit talk about scam awareness and how to protect yourself online. For bookings and more information, phone the library on 8539 1175 or speak to staff.

Funeral service for Betty Schuelke: 10.30am at graveside, Tailem Bend cemetery, Granites Road, Tailem Bend. For more information, visit mingefunerals.com or phone 8531 1111.

Being Digital – Let’s talk about social media: 10am–12pm at Murray Bridge Library. What is social media? How can social media help me? How can I use social media safely? All good questions. Find out thw answers at this Being Digital session. Being Digital is a program focused on the “digital basics” (such as being safe online) to help people participate in today’s world. For booking and for more information, contact Suzette at the library on 8539 1175 or email library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Thursday ⛅ 21°

R U OK? Conversation Convoy: 12pm–1.30pm at Pine Park, Murray Bridge. The Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub and the Suicide Prevention Network are excited to bring the R U OK? Conversation Convoy to Murray Bridge. To learn more about supporting people who struggle with life, comne along and meet the R U OK? Team, learn more about meaningful converstaions and enjoy a cuppa and a snag. All welcome. For more information, contact the Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub on 0468 640 800 or at wellbeinghub@mbcci.org.au.

Painted pots and plants workshop with the Makery Co.: 2pm–4pm at the Square Community Centre, 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge. Get creative with your own painted pot design. You will be guided with easy-to-follow step-by-step designs. You will receive a ceramic pot plant with saucer and bonus plat, along with the use professional tools and materails to use throughout the workshop. Cost: $50 person (subsidised). Bookings essential: Phone 8531 1799 or visit murraybridgecommunitycentre.com.au.

Thursday Night at the Movies – Book Club, the Next Chapter (rated M): 5.30pm at Murray Bridge Library. Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. When things go pear shaped and secrets are revealed, the holiday becomes a once in a lifetime corss-country adventure. Cost: Free. For bookings and for more information, phone the library on 9539 1175 or email library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Orange disco: 5-7pm at the Station, Murray Bridge. Blue Light event for 7-14-year-olds, wear orange or a Halloween costume, entry includes sausage sizzle, music from DJ Steve Murphy, prizes to be won. Tickets: $5 at www.bluelightsa.org.

Correction: Simon Hay’s show is on Saturday, not Sunday.

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

To express an interest in sponsoring this feature, email jane@murraybridge.news.