Onkaparinga Now celebrates 1000 stories

Published on 22 June 2026

You’re reading Onkaparinga Now’s 1000^th story!

If you’ve stumbled here for the first time, Onkaparinga Now is the City of Onkaparinga’s quarterly print magazine and online news website, established in October 2018 as another way for the community to stay informed and connected.

Since then, the website has attracted close to a million page views and thousands of print magazines have been distributed across the city.

Here are some of the highlights and most clicked stories. 

The most clicked

The most popular story on the site by far is a curious local history piece – our 2021 story on “that huge white house” at Port Noarlunga continues to garner heaps of clicks each month as it’s reshared on social media.

Coming in at second, is another 2021 story, which revealed the designs for the duplication of Main South and Victor Harbor Roads – proof our readers crave timely and trusted news on the big things happening down south that affect them.

Readers also clearly love getting outdoors on the weekend, with stories about new trails doing extremely well over the years – the opening of the Witton Bluff Base Trail, Happy Valley Reservoir and Willunga Basin Trail all among the most popular stories ever on the site.

Other big news stories around the top 10 most popular pieces were those on the newly elected Council in 2022, Port Noarlunga jetty turning 100, Onkaparinga’s newest suburb, and the unlocking of Port Stanvac via a new master plan.

Our personal faves

We asked the Onkaparinga Now team what their favourite stories have across the journey so far, and some common themes popped up.

Stories on big projects – the places people love, and the tangible changes people can see in their community – have always resonated well, both to read and write. Think the revitalised Hopgood Theatre, the opening of SA’s largest household recycling facility, new skate or dog parks, and major sporting upgrades and hubs.

Being a council publication, there’s also a soft spot for stories that shed a light on the vital or little-known services provided by the City of Onkaparinga such as keeping the community safe, running a sign shop, supporting residents after a bushfire or helping foster connection.

Onkaparinga Now has always proudly highlighted the community’s diversity, so stories on inspiring new Australian citizens such as former Zimbabwean cricketer and star of The Voice, Henry Olonga; how local Muslims celebrate Ramadan; and celebrations of First Nations art and culture; have been highlights.

Many of our favourite stories have been those that aren’t really even about the council, or they sit in the sweet spot where a council story becomes a human story.

Prime examples include:

• Finding Season – the incredible story of a young Onkaparinga woman who didn’t leave her home for 20 years.
• Messages from war – reflecting on those from Onkaparinga who served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
• One Million Stories – featuring 2 migrants’ journeys about coming to live in Australia.
• Locals are bringing South Port’s dunes back to life – how these dunes are being cared for by locals who love them.
• Charity quilters to reach 1000-quilt milestone – how an Aberfoyle Park quilting group is providing warmth – and smiles – to those in need.
• Wisdom from Onkaparinga’s oldest residents – including Mildred Brocklebenk (then 99) and Kathleen Davies (then 100).
• Going for gold – we’re the number one fans of Onkaparinga’s athletes on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Paralympics.
• Ruby’s park plans – how a young Maslin Beach resident shaped the suburb’s new playground.
• Helen Oxenham OAM receives Key to the City – a celebration of a life dedicated to supporting women in need experiencing family and domestic violence.
• Onkaparinga’s treasured graffiti volunteers – meet Neville Radford and Terry Haighton, who we dubbed the “saint of paint” and the “queen of clean”.
• Much-loved community champions – such as Minton Farm’s Bev Langley, Neville Gibbs OAM, Bob Shaw… there are too many to name!

Thank you

A huge thank you to everyone who has read a story or engaged with the magazine or website in another way over the journey – it means a lot!

We’re constantly trying to improve Onkaparinga Now – including through the council’s recent communications survey – so if you ever have feedback or suggestions, feel free to drop us a line. Here’s to the next 1000 stories!