Things to do in Murray Bridge: September 1-7, 2023

Father’s Day’s the time to show the old man that you love, respect and appreciate him – and the one day you shouldn’t groan and roll your eyes at his dad jokes.

If you’re stuck for ideas for what to do for Father’s Day, there are a few events happening in the Murraylands.

You could start the day by taking Dad to Cars and Coffee and/or a special Father’s Day barbecue lunch at Monarto Safari Park, followed by greyhound racing at the end of the day.

Then, on Monday, Centacare Murray Bridge will run a “dads space” for dads to meet fellow dads and support each other, because the special role of father doesn’t end at 11.59pm on Father’s Day.

This weekly feature is brought to you by the Bridgeport Hotel – the place to be.

Friday ⛅ 17°

Funeral service for Janette Howard: 10.30am at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 17 Ind Street, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or visit mingefunerals.com.

Island welcome + Makeda Duong: I am uncomfortable: 6pm–8pm at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, 27 Sixth Street, Murray Bridge. Island Welcome is a group exhibition exploring contemporary jewellery as a gesture of welcome. The works seek to draw attention to asylum seeker issues and to extend the dialogue beyond art and craft audiences. And Makeda Duong’s provocative textile-based practice explores aspects of her life with perceptions of race, gender, sexuality and mental health. Cost: Free. Bookings: eventbrite.com.au

Barrel of Laughs: 7.15pm at the Bridgeport Hotel, 2 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge. Who doesn’t like a good laugh? So come to the Bridgeport and check out comedians Mickey D, Kehau Jackson, Libby Trainor Parker, Jason Pestell and Jono Makai. As this bunch is a sweary lot, and the show contains rude words and adult themes, perhaps don’t take the kids along. Tickets: $27.78 at eventbrite.com.au.

Saturday ⛅ 22°

Toddler and preschooler sensory learning sessions: 10.30am–12pm first Saturday of the month until Christmas at the Murray Bridge Library. These monthly sessions, focusing on sensory experiences and creative activities, are designed for children from 2 years to 6 years, but siblings are welcome to join in. Play, learn and connect with your child while building your child’s social skills. Bookings: events.humanitix.com Cost: Free. For more information, contact the library on 8539 1175 or Tina on 0467 096 402.

Father’s Day ☀️ 25°

Cars and Coffee Murray Bridge: 8am–10am at the Wharf Precinct car park, Wharf Road, Murray Bridge. Everyone is welcome to come along to this family-friendly event to check out the cars on display, have a coffee and grab a bit to eat alongside the River Murray. You can purchase coffee (naturally), hot chocolates, milkshakes, cool drinks, doughnuts and egg-and-bacon rolls. For more information, contact Joanne Lovell on 0415 790 260 or at joannelovell88@gmail.com.

Father’s Day BBQ buffet lunch: 12–1.30pm at Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Road, Monarto. Treat good old dad to a very special BBQ lunch at the Waterhole Function Centre, within walking distance of the giraffe platform. Enjoy a BBQ buffet and beverage with your family, as well as entry to the park. Bookings essential. Email: functions@adelaideoval.com.au Cost: Adults $85, including entry; Kids under 14: $55, including entry. For more information, phone 8548 9501 or visit www.monartosfari.com.au.

Greyhound racing: 5.30pm–9pm at the Murray Bridge Greyhound Racing Club, 2 Kennett Road, Murray Bridge East. See quality greyhound racing for free. You can purchase tasty counter meals, and full bar and Tab facilities are available. For meal bookings, phone Doyle’s Function Centre on 0475 682 466. For more information on this event, contact Trevor Morgan on 8532 3300 or at trevor.morgan@orroroo.com.

Monday ⛅ 20°

Dad’s Space: 5.30pm–6.30pm at Centacare office, 1A/2 Sturt Reserve Road, Murray Bridge. Dads, come to a free place to chat with other dads, relax and promote healthy wellbeing. To register and for more information, phone Lyall on 8215 6347.

Tuesday ⛅ 17°

Coffee with a Cop: 10.30am–11.30am at Murray Bridge Marketplace foodcourt, 23–51 Mary Terrace, Murray Bridge. Fancy a cuppa with a copper? If you’re a resident of Murray Bridge and surrounding areas, you’re invited to share a free coffee with police officers, discuss community issues, ask questions and get to know a bit more about our local cops and police work in the region. This month, come and meet Superintendent Healey and Senior Sergeant Henderson, members of the new management team at Murray Bridge Police. No bookings required. Just pop by and say g’day.

Understanding reading difficulties – why some children struggle and how to help: 4pm–6pm at Unity College, 45 Owl Drive, Murray Bridge. This free workshop by SPELD SA explains why some children struggle to read and provides practical strategies to help your child. It also includes a brief overview of how we learn to read and the research on what is best practice for all students. Parents from different schools are welcome to attend this community workshop. For more information, contact Laura Trower on 8431 1655 or at workshops@speldsa.org.au. RSVP: www.speldsa.org.au.

Wednesday ⛅ 20°

From no way to 5K running program: Booked out

Getting to know your device – Android: 10am at the Murray Bridge Library. Being Digital is a program that helps promote the digital assistance and learning that our libraries offer to South Australians. The program’s focus is the digital basics to help people participate in today’s digital world. Please bring your device with you. For more information, phone Suzette at the library on 8539 1175 or email library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Horse racing: 11am–5pm at Murray Bridge Racing Club, 342 Brinkley Road, Gifford Hill. See up to seven different horse races at this all-ages event, with total prize pools of $25,000 per race. Tickets: moshtix.com.au. For more information, visit countryracingsa.com.au or phone 8532 2310.

Accidental counsellor workshop: 12pm–3.30pm at the Square, 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge. Accidental counsellors are people who find themselves in a counselling role by accident, as a result of conversations or requests from customers, colleagues, friends or others. Facilitated by experienced Lifeline mental health trainers, this free, interactive workshop provides practical and effective skills to respond to and support others when they’re experiencing challenges. To register your interest, visit events.humanitix.com/accidental-counsellor-workshop-supporting-flood-affected-river-murray-communities, contact the Murray Bridge Community Centre on 8531 1799 or email reception@mbcci.org.au.

Funeral service for John Jolley: 1pm at Minge Chapel, 63 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge. For more information, contact Minge Funerals on 8531 1111 or visit mingefunerals.com.

Creative Kids Craft – webs: 4pm–5 pm at the Murray Bridge Library. If you’re aged between 5 and 12 years old, then come along to the library and enjoy some web-themed craft with friends. Bookings essential: Contact the library on 8539 1175 or at library@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.

Thursday ⛅ 17°

Horse racing trials: 8am–11am at Murray Bridge Racing Club, 342 Brinkley Road, Gifford Hill. For more information, visit countryracingsa.com.au or phone 8532 2310.

Murray Bridge Jobs and Skills Showcase: 10am–2pm on the corner of Sixth Street and South Terrace, in the old MITRE 10 building opposite Murray Bridge Marketplace. Are you looking for a job or career change? Then chat to local employers from across the region. This free event will connect you with employers, training providers and community organisations to assist you into employment and future career pathways. Registrations: murraylandsjobsshowcase.eventbrite.com.au.

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.