In todays Adelaide Insider edition:

• Positive News 🎙️

• New Restaurants 🍝 

• Did You Know 🤔

• Events - April 18-21 🎉

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Positive News 🎙️

🌌 Illuminate Adelaide Returns

The Botanic Garden will transform into a sensory wonderland for Night Visions, with light sculptures, lasers, and immersive soundscapes running from July 2–20.

🏥 Wheatfields Aged Care Saved

The state government is funding urgent fire safety upgrades so Wheatfields’ expansion can proceed—keeping aged care support local in Freeling. [INFO]

🚁 Black Hawk Aids Flood Relief

A Black Hawk chopper is helping with food and fuel drops in flood-hit Innamincka, as SES efforts ramp up in SA’s northeast. [INFO]

🔢 New Statewide Maths Focus

SA will introduce a Numeracy Guarantee for public schools, backed by over $1B in extra funding to lift student outcomes in maths. [INFO]

New Restaurants 🍝

🍝 New Italian Diner in CBD

Pinco Italo has opened in Adelaide’s CBD, offering soulful Italian eats and stylish late-night vibes from the team behind Pinco Deli and Pastel Wine Bar. [INFO]

🍷 Oztalia Osteria Takes Shape

The team behind Pizzateca is building a new function venue and cellar door in McLaren Vale—offering garden-grown produce, pasta, and family warmth. [INFO]

🐟 Hooked on Glenelg

New eatery Hooked is giving fish and chips a gourmet makeover with SA seafood, market bowls, and coastal flair on Broadway. [INFO]

The Emu War (1932)

Most Australians have heard of the 1932 Emu War — the bizarre moment when the military was deployed against a mob of giant birds in Western Australia. But what’s often overlooked is that it wasn’t a joke at the time. Thousands of emus were tearing through wheat farms in the Campion district, smashing fences and flattening crops at a time when ex-soldier farmers were already reeling from drought, debt, and the Great Depression. Desperate for help, they petitioned the federal government — and in response, Defence Minister Sir George Pearce sent soldiers armed with two Lewis machine guns, led by Major G.P.W. Meredith.

The plan went downhill fast. Emus, it turned out, were faster, smarter, and much harder to hit than expected. The soldiers couldn’t get close enough before the birds scattered — and even when they were hit, many simply kept running. One soldier reportedly said the emus had "bulletproof feathers." In their first attempt, the troops ended just a few hundred out of an estimated 20,000 emus. The press had a field day, calling the campaign a national embarrassment. After weeks of failure, the operation was pulled. A second attempt later that year didn’t fare much better. Meredith would later quip: “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds, it would face any army in the world.”

What most people don’t know is that the emu problem didn’t end there. The birds continued to damage farmland for years, but instead of military force, the government turned to bounty payments. Between 1945 and 1960, more than 285,000 emus were culled under this system — with far greater success. While the Emu War is often treated as a meme or a punchline, it was rooted in real hardship. It also serves as a reminder that nature doesn’t always lose, even when faced with guns and generals.

Events: April 18-21

This section only includes events until the next edition on Monday, so here’s what’s happening Friday till Monday!

Barlow ST Market
Sunday | 9-2pm | Port Adelaide
Packed with fresh produce, vintage finds, handmade goods, and delicious eats. From vinyl records to oysters and brekkie burgers.
[INFO]

Nixons Night Market
Sunday | 5-9pm | Gawler
Easter with greyhound racing, food trucks, market stalls, kids' amusements, face painting, licensed bars, and showbags for the first 50 kids.
[INFO]

Easter Entertainment ZERO CHARGE
Sat-Mon | 9-5pm | Harbour Town
Family entertainment these school holidays with Easter carnival games, face painting, fairy floss, and a visit from the Easter Bunny
[INFO]

Melbas Easter ZERO CHARGE
Fri-Mon | 9-4:30pm | Woodside
Family fun at Melba’s Chocolate Factory. Enjoy face painting, balloon creations, lawn games, and plenty of Easter chocolate.
[INFO]

Easter Family Carnival ZERO CHARGE
Saturday | 10-2pm | Port Adelaide
Bring the kids along for a fun-filled Easter Saturday with face painting, craft activities, an Easter scavenger hunt, and sweet treats from the Easter Bunny.
[INFO]

Family Fun Day
Sunday | 12-3pm | Brahma Lodge
Enjoy a petting zoo, face painting, and lots of laughter during the school holidays
[INFO]

Chess Club ZERO CHARGE
Friday | 7:15pm | Modbury
We meet to play all kinds of chess, including Lightning (aka Blitz), Rated Interclub matches, Fixed Opening matches and more.
[INFO]

Easter Carnival ZERO CHARGE
Fri-Mon | 10-10pm | Modbury
Fun-filled event featuring amusement rides, games, food trucks, an Easter egg hunt, and a kids' colouring competition—perfect for a family day out.
[INFO]

Vic Park Pit Stop
Sunday | 8-10am | Adelaide
Join fellow car enthusiasts at the new Cars & Coffee event at Victoria Park.
[INFO]

Mclaren Vale Easter Weekend
Sat-Sun | 11-5pm | Mclaren Vale
Celebrate the long weekend with vineyard views, food trucks, live music, tasting flights, and family-friendly fun.
[INFO]

Easter Park Run
Saturday | 7:45am | Mawson Lakes
5k parkrun featuring an egg hunt along the course, a “guess the eggs in the jar” competition, Easter music, post-run treats, and a dress-up theme.
[INFO]

Asia Street Food Easter
Saturday | 5-8pm | Adelaide
Experience vibrant Asian flavours and street food vibes at the Market Shed.
[INFO]

Emo & Pop Punk 22AUD
Sunday | 9pm | Adelaide
Get ready for a huge long weekend party filled with your favourite emo and pop punk anthems.
[INFO]

That kid kearve 64-107AUD
Friday | 6:30pm | Adelaide
[INFO]

The Good Life Tour 62AUD
Saturday | 7:30pm | Hindmarsh
ARIA award-winning artist Illy is back with his seventh studio album Good Life, set for release later this year.
[INFO]

Oscar The Wild 23AUD
Saturday | 7pm | Adelaide
Their new single Big Think dives into surreal dreamscapes and challenges reality, marking an edgier turn for the rising band.
[INFO]

20 YEARS OF DAMAGE 50AUD
Friday | 7pm | Adelaide
Known for their authenticity and intensity, Damage Inc. has impressed fans—and Metallica themselves—for two decades.
[INFO]

ALW: Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Friday | 4:20pm | Coopers Stadium
[INFO]

A-League: Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Friday | 7:05pm | Coopers Stadium
[INFO]

THANKS!

Thanks for reading The Adelaide Insider! Let’s chat again on Monday!