GRANT Wallace polished up his 1958 Ford Customline in preparation for one of the most important car runs on his calendar for the year.

In honour of his late son, Mr Wallace organised the William Wallace Memorial Cruise to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis South Australia (CFSA) William passed in 2018 aged 25 and for 2023, the biannual event coincided with what would have been his 30th birthday.

There was an announcement from the federal government's $10b Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) which expected to deliver 30,000 social and affordable homes across the nation, and ac.care homelessness manager Trish Spark said there would need to be 150 homes built in Mount Gambier/Berrin to release the pressure on local homelessness.

The Market Square Playground in Naracoorte opened in early September after a two month redevelopment project and within weeks of its reopening, some parents were concerned the site offered a safety risk for young.

Naracoorte Lucindale Council voted to undertake community consultation regarding the old ANZ Bank building in the town's centre converted into parking in a $1.6 million project.

The Kalangadoo police station was the talk of the town of Kalangadoo for September.

With the station closed for a number of years after the town's sole police officer left, there were suggestions made that the former police house be available to house other government employees, following months of advocacy, but plans were still in the works by the end of the month, according to South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens.

For Bordertown and surrounds, the younger generations were coming up trumps throughout the month.

Bordertown's Sophie Orrock was named as one of South Australia's school based trainees of the year finalists for her dedication to her secondary studies and her passion for work at her placement at Tatiara Truck and Trailers.

The business was also named as a finalist for the state's small employer of the year award.

Lachlan Johnson came back from the Royal Adelaide Show with a win after being announced the South Australian Rural Ambassador for 2023.

Mr Johnson attended the 2023 show as part of the Rural Ambassador program alongside Naracoorte's Carly Gogel and many more.

Alongside the ambassador program, Mr Johnson also competed in the Young Farmer Challenge with Penola's Jake Rowe where their team also secured first place.

Council agreed the Bordertown and Keith Cinemas were still a needed service in the community, despite having returned an overall loss of $26,951 in the past eight years.

In a report to the Tatiara District Council director corporate and community services Kingsley Green said cinema admissions had fluctuated in the last decade, with only admissions during the school holidays and select films remaining steady.

The big mystery of the month in Bordertown was the case of the missing chickens from the Carol Murray Children's Centre.

Four pet chickens went missing, spanning from late August, continuing into mid September.

Kindergarten teacher Ms Jenni said it was disappointing to see the chickens disappear, knowing that they are more than animals to staff, families and children and have been donated over the years by local groups for learning among the classes in the centre.

A group of South East men prepared to once again take on the 2023 Apex Outback Postie Bike Ride and raise funds to support cancer patients.

Postie bike riders Darren Walters, Terry Fabish, Jim Slattery and Charlie Matthews took on 1,000km of rough terrain through the Flinders Ranges.

There were talks of the Millicent Swimming Lake looking likely to remain closed for the upcoming summer as Wattle Range Council sought to start much needed upgrades.

However, there was great news for Millicent community members to finish off the month when the local ac.care community centre secured its own funding for the first time.

It was announced both the Mount Gambier/Berrin and Millicent community centres each received funding as part of the State Government's $43m cash injection into community centres.

Due to a tight turnaround in a short timeframe, the A-League Women's Football showcase did not head to Mount Gambier/ Berrin despite Mount Gambier City Council and Grant District Council committing funding to the proposal.

A motion put forward by Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell passed in the Lower House for the use of MEDICAL cannabis with Mr Bell presenting a motion to his colleagues asking for recognition of the growing importance of medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol as an alternative treatment option for South Australians.

In the lead up to the referendum, "Vote Yes" was the message being spread by some Limestone Coast Aboriginal Elders and community leaders.

At a forum, hosted by Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, a.c. care and South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS), community members were encouraged to educate themselves further about what the Voice would mean if it was enshrined into the Australian constitution.

Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell moved a motion in State Parliament calling on the State Government to prioritise the region through the South Australian Tourism Commission, labelling it as an "exciting time" for the industry in South Australia, with MacKillop MP Nick McBride also speaking in support of the motion.

A decision was made to continue to hold Australia Day celebrations on January 26 for the 2024 year in Mount Gambier/Berrin, but with some changes to scheduling.

Member for MacKillop Nick McBride called on the State Government to implement the region into a future road repair plan.

Mr McBride said there were a number of roads within the electorate which were of great concern including the road from Mount Gambier to Millicent, from Millicent to Beachport and between Robe, Kingston, Bordertown and Naracoorte.

Country Fire Service (CFS) personnel were concerned the Limestone Coast could be in for a rough fire season following forecasts of drier than average conditions.

To finish the month, Naracoorte prepared to host the state government's country cabinet set for late October, with Mr Malinauskas saying the South East was an important economic contributor to the state, but it had potential to grow bigger and better.