National Small Towns Reinvention Conference
Eudunda – Tuesday 23 September 2025
Presentation By Mel Zerner
The National Small Towns Reinvention Conference was held at Kapunda
from Monday 22 September to Thursday 25 September.
L-R: Melvin Zerner (ECBAT Vice Chair), Toni Piccolo, Skye Harwood (ECBAT Chair)
EUDUNDA – A NEW ERA!
Eudunda is often considered as the poor cousin of all the larger & well-known towns surrounding it – Kapunda, Barossa Valley, Clare, Riverton, Burra & Morgan. After all, it is known as the “Valley of Hidden Treasures”. Well, that is about to change if the local community group – Eudunda Community Business & Tourism Committee (ECBaT) have anything to say about it!
The committee has produced a strategic plan for Eudunda & Districts with the help of Rural Aid & Peter Kenyon from the Bank of Ideas. The Eudunda Community Development Action Plan was produced in September 2023 & is now being implemented by ECBaT.
Mel Zerner, the Deputy Chair of ECBaT presented a summary of the plan at the National Small Towns Reinvention Conference dinner held at Eudunda on Tuesday night, 23 September 2025.
Eudunda is well known as author, Colin Thiele’s birthplace, a long history of engineering businesses operating in the town & a previous history of statewide businesses such as Laucke’s, Eudunda Farmers & Hambours commencing in Eudunda & spreading to further towns. It is also well known for being close to Goyder’s line, an excellent rainfall indicator & the Lavendar Walking & Cycling Trial which runs through the town.
L-R: Bill Gebhardt (Regional Council of Goyder, Mayor), Judy Partington (RCOG, Eudunda Ward Councillor), Jan Badcock (Blanchtown District Hall and Community Committee), Rhonda Seymour (Auburn Community Development Committee – ACDC), Standing Barb Button (RCOG, Director of Community Engagement & Development), John Neal (RCOG, Robertstown Ward Councillor), Debbie Hibbert (RCOG, Deputy Mayor).
Its other assets include some major events such as the massive annual Eudunda Show in November, the 24-hour motorcycle trial held in the district in July each year, South Australia Living Arts events in August each year & the normal well attended Australia Day breakfast, ANZAC day commemoration & Christmas Street party in December.
Historians meet to talk about past history of Agricultural Shows. Samuel Doering met with Tracy Alder a founder of Rural Aid and currently Rebuilding Australia who along with Peter Kenyon of of Bank of Ideas are organising this conference. L-R: Samuel Doering (Eudunda), Tracy Alder (Rebuilding Australia , Brisbane)
Over the last few years, ECBaT & the community have developed the beautiful Centenary Gardens, Eudunda Family Heritage Gallery, Silo Art, Eudunda Scenic Lookout, Eudunda Caravan Park & the Lavendar Trail Walking & Cycling paths.
Samuel Doering and Henry Schutz talked about their roles in the community and gave the gathering some well delivered ‘barks’ as a taste of this years Eudunda Show Dog Barking Competition.
L-R: Samuel Doering, Henry Schutz, Melvin Zerner.
The Community Development Action Plan builds on these assets & has 4 themes:
- Strengthening Community Capacity & Connection
Working with the community organisations, holding community meetings & conversations, attracting youth to volunteer & be trained as leaders. - Enhancing Tourism Potential
Developing & implementing a Tourism Action Plan, expanding the Eudunda Caravan Park, using social media, websites & brochures to promote Eudunda. - Developing Community Wow Factor & Appeal
Main street beatification & building façade painting, further development of Eudunda scenic lookout & information bay & historic engineering display next to Silo Art area. - Population Attraction Strategy
Developing close connections with the various Renewable Energy Projects in the district, commencement of housing subdivision in town & working on youth retention & attracting past residents back to the town through anniversaries & reunions.
There are plenty of challenges to face as Eudunda builds & implements this plan – recruiting volunteers, connection to youth, developing leadership, maintaining relationships with other community organisations & ensuring adequate, regular communication to the community.
L-R: Jocelyn Ceccanti (Mount Beauty, Vic), Judy Partington (Eudunda Ward Councillor), Angela Lukacs (Cadell Community & Tourism Association)
Eudunda is looking to a bright future as a growing town with a major boost to its tourism potential as well as growth of new & expanding businesses including accommodation & hospitality.
Tony Piccolo, Member for Light speaking with Ammon Beyerle, urban architect of Here Studio, Ballarat Vic.
L-R: Tony Piccolo, Ammon Beyerle
Another of Eudunda’s Hidden Treasures was the catering at the Southern Saints Clubhouse, which really came to the fore with Leslie Garlic catering for 130 people with a delicious meal, in a timely fashion and ably served by the young waiters who did a great job. it was so nice to see happy people catering for everyone, what a delight. Well Done to All.
Want to learn more?
Download the Eudunda & District’s Community Action Plan here