Broken window? Theft? Surprisingly, neither tops the list of most common home and contents insurance claims. So, what does?

Accidental damage was the most common reason policyholders claimed on their contents insurance between 2023 and the first half of 2026, according to RAA Insurance data.

From more than 65,500 RAA Home and Contents insurance claims in the past three-and-a-half years, about a third were for accidental damage, followed by storm damage (20 per cent) and water/liquid damage (15 per cent).

Source: RAA Insurance claims data

RAA Insurance Head of Claims Jess Lyons says accidental damage cover can give peace of mind and recommends policyholders check with their insurer to see if they’re covered.

“Even when we’re extra careful, accidents happen and our belongings may need to be fixed or replaced,” Jess says.

“Accidental damage makes up the highest number of household claims, so it’s worth checking to see if you have this optional cover on your policy.”

Regular monitoring and maintenance around the home may help avoid damage from storms and water. Jess says clogged gutters, drains and downpipes are common causes of water damage at home, but with ongoing maintenance, issues can be prevented.

“Clear your gutters and downpipes regularly, especially ahead of wet weather, and make sure stormwater is draining away from the house,” Jess says.

“It’s also a good idea to have regular roof inspections and air-conditioning services to help prevent issues.”

Allianz South Australia Insurance Limited ABN 14 007 872 602 AFSL 232525 (Allianz SA) is the insurer and Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited ACN 677 371 274 (RAA) issues this under binder from Allianz SA. RAA do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and underwriting criteria apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Supplementary PDS (if applicable) available with the Target Market Determination (TMD) at raa.com.au

The post Most common insurance claims appeared first on samove.com.au.

Each month, sa move brings you our pick of SA events that everyone should have on their calendar.

November 2026

We’re on the home stretch to the end of the year, but November’s events are only just getting into gear. Here are some of the great events happening across SA this month.

1. The Drop in: Bubbles Anniversary Edition

When: 1 November
Where: National Wine Centre

‘Fizz’ the season to taste the spectrum of Australia’s finest sparkling wine. Raise a glass to celebrate 25 years of the National Wine Centre while spritzing your way through a handpicked lineup of winemakers on show at The Drop In: Bubbles Anniversary Edition.

Picture yourself lounging on the lawns overlooking the Adelaide Botanic Garden, live music in the background and three hours of unlimited tastings. Find new favourites to give family and friends for Christmas, or wrap a gift and put it under your tree as a present to yourself. Add an extra sparkle to your day and use your RAA membership to save 20 per cent on entry tickets. Sip, sip, hooray!

2. National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant

When: 14 November
Where: Adelaide CBD

Naughty or Nice? Perhaps your year is better described as ‘an attempt was made’. Secure your place in Santa’s good books by welcoming him to Adelaide. The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant (pictured at top) will again wind through the streets of the city, bringing Christmas cheer and officially launching the season in SA.

Santa has employed thousands of locals as his elf helpers, and they’ve been hard at work all year sewing sparkling costumes, engineering intricate theatrical floats and practicing their choreography and magic tricks. Once Santa has been welcomed, it’s time to head home and put up your Christmas tree.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for your local council pageants too, like the City of Onkaparinga Christmas Pageant on 22 November, Barossa Christmas Parade in Tanunda on 4 December and the Tailem Bend Christmas Parade on 12 December. Find a comprehensive list of Christmas events in South Australia here.

3. The Heartbreak Choir

When: 20 November – 5 December
Where: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre

When life throws you a curveball, sometimes the best thing to do is gather your friends and sing your heart out. That’s the story behind The Heartbreak Choir presented by State Theatre Company South Australia.

Told with unmistakable Aussie dry wit, the play follows five locals in a country town who form a new choir, finding connection and community spirit after life has struck the wrong chord. Make your night at the theatre hit all the right notes by using your RAA membership to save 10 per cent on tickets when you buy online.

4. Swiss Christmas Baking Masterclass

When: 21 November – 13 December
Where: Goolwa

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! If classic Swiss holiday treats like Christstollen, Grittibänz and pear bread make you long for Christmas all-year-round, now’s your chance to learn how to make and bake them yourself.

Step into the festive season with a hands-on Swiss Christmas Baking Masterclass in Goolwa, perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. After baking, settle in for a three-course meal and local wine. You’ll be taking home more than just good memories, too: your delicious baked goodies and a recipe booklet so you can recreate them any time of year.

5. bp Adelaide Grand Final

When: 26–29 November
Where: Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi

Thanks to the bp Adelaide Grand Final roaring back into town, November’s soundtrack goes a little like this:

“Take me down to Adelaide city, where the crowds are keen and the engine’s ready,
Oh, look at that polished chrome!”

Motorsport by day, music by night: it’s the final round of the Repco Supercars Championship, with drivers laying it all on the line for the crowning glory.  New this year, the GT1 Race Club category is bringing some of the world’s most exclusive and extreme (and expensive) hypercars and brands rarely seen on Adelaide streets. After the races, the high-octane energy on the streets hits the stage, with Hilltop Hoods and Guns N’ Roses headlining the two massive nightly concerts.

RAA members, take your membership for a spin and enjoy all the action for less, with 10 per cent off seats by the iconic Turn 14 hairpin in the RAA Grandstand or up close to the pit in the RAA Lounge. Oh, won’t you please take me there?

The post Events around South Australia in 2026 appeared first on samove.com.au.

The spring cleaning is done, you’ve decluttered your living spaces and the new deck looks schmick.

Now it’s time to focus on yourself with some much-needed TLC; and if you’re an RAA member, you can save some money in the process with RAA Rewards. Here are five ways to give yourself a spring wellness check.

1. Sounds like a good idea

Don’t you love the sounds of spring? Cackling kookaburras up in the old gum tree, chirping frogs in the rain-swelled wetlands and the soothing white-noise of waves splashing onto your favourite beach. But you’re not experiencing the full joy if you can’t hear them properly. 

If you find yourself saying “pardon” or “could you repeat that?” a bit more these days, it might be time to have your hearing tested. Can:Do Hearing, an SA audiology provider, offers a range of hearing services, including comprehensive testing and device options. Best of all, until 20 November 2026, RAA members who book online save 50 per cent on adult hearing assessments for new customers with Can:Do Hearing. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

2. Strength for life

You may not want biceps like tree trunks, but the mental and physical health benefits of increasing your muscle tone and strength are clear. Regular training has many advantages, such as stronger bones and joints, improved posture, reduced risk of chronic disease, better sleep and healthier ageing.

Why not try yoga or Pilates at Aleenta Health Club, start an eight-week transformation program at All Star Personal Training, or test your agility on an indoor rock wall at Beyond Bouldering?

3. Eat like a champion

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend a balanced diet high in vegetables, fruit, legumes, grains, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy. If you’re a sweet tooth, sorry… you won’t find vanilla slices or Kitchener buns high on the list unfortunately.

Luckily, healthy food is all around; it’s just a matter of choosing it and putting it in your shopping basket. And the good news is you’ll save on supermarket eGift cards for your local Coles, Woolworths, or IGA. Take it with you the next time you shop (healthy food, remember) and add up the savings.

4. Gear up and get moving

Modern life is ultra convenient, but with it comes bad habits we need to break. Our bodies are meant to move but most of us don’t do it enough. A rule of thumb is to aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activities, such as brisk walking and gardening, or 75 to 150 minutes of high-intensity activities, such as jogging or fast cycling (or a combination), each week. The time to start is right now.

Need new sneakers? Save on gift cards from Platypus, The Athlete’s Foot or Sportspower. Perhaps some flash new fitness wear from Rebel or New Balance is on your shopping list. Maybe you need to visit 99 Bikes for big savings on a new two-wheeler. Time to get moving.

5. Invest in your health

Forget houses, cars and jewellery; when you think about it, your health is your biggest asset. Yet it’s something we often neglect. We ignore the foot that’s getting sorer and harder to walk on. We ‘don’t have time’ for that blood pressure check or eye test. Make this the year you stop making excuses.

Save 10 per cent on eligible retail products at your nearest Star Discount Chemist until the end of October 2026 and 10 per cent on a Healthylife Telehealth doctor’s appointment. Visit OPSM or Laubman and Pank for great deals on optical services and products. Or take time out for luxurious me time with a discounted eGift card at Endota Spa.

The post 5 ways to stay well this spring appeared first on samove.com.au.

Polishing their classic cars to a shine worthy of 100,000 spectators, inspecting the tread on skinny tyres and practising the gestures required to signal left and right turns, historic car owners are preparing for this year’s RAA Bay to Birdwood.

From century-old vehicles to pristine 1996 models, every car and driver has a story.

Commemorating Australia’s first vehicle registration, plate ‘SA 1’ attached to Dr William Hargreaves’ Beeston-Humber in 1906, the RAA Bay to Birdwood has been a treasured institution since the first run on South Australian roads in 1980.

Now, thousands of spectators line the 67km route to cheer the passing parade, before following the procession to the National Motor Museum in Birdwood to meet the enthusiastic car owners at the Finish Festival. Among the owners set to delight spectators once again are Sarah, Sean and Allan.

Preserving history

Allan Bennett (pictured at top) has loved classic cars his whole life, buying a Model T Ford, as his very first registered car back in 1964. He’s been collecting cars ever since.

A founding member of the Model T Ford Club of Australia, he remained on the committee for many years and earned life membership for his efforts. Today his collection of seven veteran cars is crowned by his prized 1925 model, Henrietta. Allan bought Henrietta from the Webb family in 2017, becoming the second registered owner, or caretaker as he prefers to describe himself. Rather than restore the car, Allan chose to preserve Henrietta exactly as is, complete with a century-old history log.

“It’s an outstanding vehicle,” he enthuses.

“There’s no rust out or anything.

“The rats and mice had done a number on the upholstery and top, but the rest of it is largely as it came off the farm.”

“It’s an outstanding vehicle,” he enthuses. “There’s no rust out or anything. The rats and mice had done a number on the upholstery and top, but the rest of it is largely as it came off the farm.”

Dubbed Henrietta after the original owner’s wife, Allan set to work fixing the mechanics, electrics and suspension to make sure she’s roadworthy and safe to drive.

“I know just about everything about the car, except when they cut the back off,” Allan says. “I don’t know when they turned it into a buckboard.”

Many original Model T Fords had their back seats removed and replaced with a wooden tray making them far more practical for farm use – the evolutionary stepping stone towards today’s ute. It’s also the perfect perch for Henry, Allan’s chocolate labrador, who loves riding along in the tray. Last year, Allan was crowned the RAA Bay to Birdwood Pre-1950 Preservation winner, thanks to Henrietta’s meticulous record and Allan’s tireless efforts. Henry helped.

Allan has driven the Bay to Birdwood route seven times in a range of different cars from his collection. His advice for new drivers?

“It would depend on the vehicle they’re driving,” he says. “I mean, you can start with a 1912 Model T Ford and that’s completely different to driving a HQ Holden.”

“But I’d just tell them to give it a go. If you get a gaggle of cars behind you, pull off and let them pass.”

For a car that’s travelled as far north as Maryborough in Queensland, Henrietta has only one condition.

“This old girl, because she’s tired I’ve got to do it at her pace,” Allan says. “She’s never broken down and she’ll go wherever I want her to, but I just gotta let her go at her own pace.”

Restored to its former glory

Sarah Bowshall’s love for vintage cars, especially Model T Fords, is almost woven into her DNA.

“As a kid, I can remember Dad would start his 1922 Model T, jack up the back wheel to kick it over, and just the smell of it, the sound of it brings back really fond memories for me now,” Sarah reminisces.

Now a proud owner of her own 1916 tourer she’s dubbed Erin, Sarah is also president of the Model T Ford Club of Australia, and one of its youngest members. Erin is no ordinary Model T either. The body was built by Adelaide’s own turn-of-the-century coach makers, Duncan and Fraser, and still has an original-style brass radiator. It’s a feature that was phased out after 1916 when all available brass was directed to the World War I effort.

“Have you ever tried to drive a Model T?” Sarah asks.

“Basically a Model T doesn’t drive like any other car. You have to forget everything you know about driving, except for steering.

“I drive it every weekend because I enjoy it, but also just to practise as it’s a real skill.”

When Sarah bought Erin three years ago, the car was in disrepair, but with some help she worked to make the car road legal while learning to maintain it along the way. Sarah has participated in the Bay to Birdwood countless times, both as a passenger and at the wheel.

“I like the excitement at the start when everyone’s arriving and the sun is coming up, but overall, the best part of any Bay to Birdwood is the drive,” Sarah says. “There’s nothing better as a vintage, veteran or classic car owner than having people appreciate, admire and wave at you because they’re happy to see the car – and you get to toot your horn at them. And the Model T has a very unique sounding horn!”

As the club cohort ages alongside their cars, these vehicles are seen less often on the roads, making the RAA Bay to Birdwood a rare and precious chance to see all these classics out and about. Sarah makes the most of every opportunity.

“Sometimes if I take Erin out on a Sunday morning and there are people with young children looking at the car, I always ask if they’d like to sit in her and have a photo, which most of the time they do – I just want to build that excitement,” Sarah says.

“I love when younger people love these cars, because I love when people see what I see in them.”

Replicating the greats

“I’m a Celica guy,” says auto-electrician Sean Basford, who, when he’s not tinkering on his own collection, specialises in making wiring harnesses for classic cars.

“I’ve always been a Celica guy… I’ve got five, from the very early ’70s right up to 1981.”

Sean’s pride and joy is Willo, his 1980 Toyota Celica which rolled off the factory floor the same year as the first Bay to Birdwood. Painted deep red with realistic sponsorship branding logos, Willo is a faithful re-creation of racing legend Peter “Willo” Williamson’s iconic 1981 Bathurst race car. Sean has even re-created Williamson’s pioneering Racecam, which revolutionised motorsport broadcasting forever. The build is completed with a remarkable piece of Australian motorsport history: the authentic tyres and wheels salvaged from the wrecked original.

Despite Willo’s popularity on weekly drives, it was many years before Sean and his partner Julie got involved with the Bay to Birdwood.

“We’d been watching for about eight years,” Sean says. “We didn’t think our car was old enough or good enough to be in it.

“But a lot of people are really stoked that I’ve got credible stuff from that car – it’s the actual real racing wheels. People just love looking at it, and as I’m driving, there are cameras sticking out car windows looking at me. We’ve now driven [the Bay to Birdwood] three times – we should have done it long ago.”

Getting involved has opened up a whole new community to Sean and he takes every opportunity to have a laugh.

“We’ve made a whole lot of friends who we drive with, and friends who we just see at the Bay to Birdwood,” he says.

“We dress up and enter the fancy dress competitions in our blond mullet wigs. We’re the Bathurst Bogans.”

Wishing he’d been part of the Bay to Birdwood sooner, Sean urges other car lovers to not make the same mistake he did.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s got cracks in it – it’s what people want to see,” Sean says. “They want to see something they used to see back in the day.”

History in high gear

At the conclusion of the drive, each vehicle pulls into place on the lawns of the National Motor Museum, some relieved for having made it up the hill, and ready to show off at the Finish Festival.

Here, you’ll be enthralled by even more incredible stories from passionate enthusiasts, as you soak up the atmosphere surrounded by timeless examples of eras long gone.

The post The stories behind Bay to Birdwood appeared first on samove.com.au.

Travelling at more than 250km/h, blink once and you might miss the Supercars zipping around when the bp Adelaide Grand Final returns this November.

It’s not often you get a look behind the wheel at the drivers who control their V8s through every twist and turn, until now. We chat to South Australian born and bred race car driver Jobe Stewart and Australian racing legend Thomas Randle who will buckle up for one of Australia’s most celebrated motoring events.

Jobe Stewart

Rising racing star Mount Gambier-born Jobe Stewart got a full-time promotion to the Repco Supercars Championship in 2026.

Lauren: My two-year-old son is absolutely obsessed with cars. So, I’m interested to know, were you a kid crazy about wheels?

Jobe Stewart: *laughs* I guess there are lots of young kids in the same boat. My dad never really raced anything himself, but he was into motorbikes a fair bit. Dad bought me a go-kart when I was about seven years old, and I think you’ll find it’s pretty similar among most other drivers as well.

L:  Last year was big for you with your debut in Supercars.  Can you tell us about that?

JS: So, we have the Bathurst 1000 – our biggest race of the year – and for that you have two drivers, and I was a co-driver last year, so that was my first really big race in Supercars.

L: You’re South Australia born and bred but recently made the move to Melbourne. What do you love most about being back on home soil?

JS: It [bp Adelaide Grand Final] is probably my favourite event of the year to be honest. [The track] has a pretty close spot in my heart because it’s somewhere I grew up going to with Dad, but also it kind of introduced me to the love of car racing. I’m excited to get back to Adelaide, and I’m proud to come back and race in my home state.

L: How does Adelaide’s circuit compare to other tracks around the country?

JS: I think it’s good because we have the track at Tailem Bend [in SA] and then the Adelaide street track as well. It’s kind of the best of both worlds. At Tailem Bend, it’s all brand-new facilities and a big open wide track so you get that F1 sort of style. Then you come into the city and you have the city atmosphere.

L: Most of us know what it’s like to drive a car, but not the types of cars you drive. What physical and mental training goes on before you even get behind the wheel?

JS: I guess on the mental side, it’s a competitive category. It’s just like AFL or NRL; you have to be pretty mentally fit to deal with the bad days because in motorsport there are normally a lot of bad days. Physically, most people don’t really think of it, but because our cars are all enclosed, you don’t get any cool air in your face and because they’re front engine, you get all the hot air from the engine coming through. So, the main thing for us is just heat tolerance and doing all the heat training, like sauna stuff.

Quick-fire questions

Favourite professional race car driver?

Probably Max Verstappen. He’s someone I grew up watching and I like his aggression on track.

Dream car?

It’s a bit of a tough one to be honest. I do like European cars and I’m a bit of a BMW fan, so maybe a really expensive BMW.

Superstitions or rituals before a race?

I like to keep quiet. A lot of people like to talk to calm their nerves, but for me, I like to take half an hour or so before the race to keep to myself.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thomas Randle

Supercars driver and cancer survivor Thomas Randle talks chemo, cars and career highlights.

Lauren: What are some of your earliest memories as a kid growing up around cars?

Thomas Randle: My dad used to race sports sedans, and I remember going to the track as a young kid. So yeah, my earliest memories were watching him race at Phillip Island. The racing genes have always been there. I remember getting my first go-kart when I was seven years old. It was probably the worst decision my parents ever made bringing me home a go-kart. *laughs*

L: What has been your biggest career highlight?

TR: Winning the 2020 Dunlop Super2 Series after being diagnosed [with testicular cancer] and having chemotherapy. That was pretty big; that was probably one of my biggest achievements.

TR: Your racing career has taken you all around the world, and soon you’ll be in good old Adelaide. What do you love most about racing here?

TR: I think just the circuit and history. I’d say arguably outside of Mount Panorama, it’s the best track we race on. And it’s just the turnout; it’s such a popular event. It always brings a huge crowd and just the fact that F1 used to drive on the same streets, albeit an extended version. It’s just got it all.

L: You’re also a pianist and featured on the ABC show The Piano last year. That seems like a big contrast to racing fast cars. What life skills are needed for both racing and playing an instrument like the piano?

TR: Good question. I mean, hand-eye coordination. Both have three pedals! *laughs* I just find it a really good way to wind down and take my mind off racing. I like the challenge of trying to learn a song and make no mistakes; it’s kind of like trying to do the perfect qualifying lap.

Quick-fire questions

Favorite professional race car driver?

Fernando Alonso.

Dream car?

Maybe an Aston Martin DB9.

Superstitions or rituals before a race?

*laughs* I don’t know; do I put my left glove on first? I don’t have any lucky underwear.

RAA is the major partner of the bp Adelaide Grand Final, which hits Adelaide’s streets from 26–29 November.

The post Meet the Supercars stars appeared first on samove.com.au.

A winter of punishing weather and more time spent indoors means your home is probably crying out for a spruce up. The good news is that with warmer days you’ll be able to feel your hands while you spring clean. Let’s get cracking.

Sort out the clutter

Before donning rubber gloves, declutter your living spaces. Why deep clean rooms full of items you’re not keeping? Decide what to keep, donate or sell, recycle and throw away.

SA-based professional organiser Sarah Shanahan (pictured below) says having a vision is key to decluttering and organising your home.

“The biggest mistake I see people make is having no plan for what they want to achieve,” Sarah says.

“Break the job into small, achievable areas – one drawer, shelf, cupboard or room at a time. Just get started and keep at it, but don’t expect to have it all done in a day.”

Decluttering done – now for the cleaning. Here are some common tasks to get you started, inside and outside.

First stop: indoors

To complete most cleaning tasks, your kit should include scrubbing brushes, non-scratch scourers, rubber gloves, dusters, microfibre cloths, a mop, bucket, vacuum and the right cleaning products. If you want to use fancy tools like steam cleaners and power scrubbers, go for it. Sarah says the kitchen is a good place to start.

“Empty cupboards and pantries, clear benchtops and clean all surfaces, including counter tops, walls, tiles, splashbacks, drawers and doors,” Sarah says. “A paste of baking soda and vinegar will make your stainless-steel sink sparkle.”

Check user manuals for tips on cleaning your bigger appliances like ovens, range hoods, cooktops and dishwashers. Empty the fridge and clean the drawers and shelves, clean the microwave inside and out, descale the kettle, and wipe down small appliances.

For the rest of the house, dust and clean all surfaces including ceiling fans and blinds, remove cobwebs, and wash windows inside and out. If it’s been a while, wash or dry clean your curtains too. Clear any mould around windows and, if you have a fireplace, safely remove leftover ash.

Now’s also the time to tackle inside maintenance jobs. Have the air-con serviced before summer hits and arrange qualified tradies to fix any broken power points, flickering lights, sticking doors, leaky taps, clogged drains, or wall cracks.

You may even want to consider a painter to freshen walls and ceilings or an electrician to install a ceiling fan, new oven or a split-system air-con.

Sarah’s top five decluttering tips

1. Visualise the desired look of your space.
2. Start small; tackle one manageable area at a time to deliver instant results and keep you motivated to continue.
3. Have a friend hold you accountable.
4. Take before and after pictures to highlight your progress and hard work.
5. Make three piles: donate, keep and maybe. For each item, ask yourself: do I need it, love it or use it? Get rid of the donate pile immediately before you change your mind.

Let’s go outside

The inside is fit for royalty. Now it’s time to head outdoors. Clear your space, then use a broom or leaf blower to shift debris. Brush, wipe or scrub your outdoor furniture, and if it’s timber, consider a coat of stain or varnish to protect and freshen it. Pressure wash bricks, concrete and decking, pull winter weeds (or carefully poison them on a calm day) and wash fences.

Get the barbecue summer-ready by scraping hotplates and grills, scrubbing surfaces with hot, soapy water, changing the drip tray granules, emptying the grease trap and checking for gas leaks.

Spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate garden soil with good quality compost, and to weed, dethatch, core and fertilise the lawn. For some outdoor colour, plant poppies, petunias, or heat-tolerant violas, or pop a citrus tree in a sunny spot for a steady supply of refreshing lemons, limes or oranges in the coming years.

Don’t forget outdoor maintenance jobs. Clear winter leaves from gutters, drains and downpipes, arrange a post-winter roof inspection and make sure solar panels are free of dust, grime and bird droppings before the sunnier months arrive. Spring is also a good time to check roof insulation, repair or replace fences and gates and rejuvenate weatherbeaten areas with a coat of paint.

Don’t forget the shed

For some, a shed cleanout is therapy; for others, a dreaded chore. Either way, decide what you want to achieve when cleaning your shed. Do you want a simple reorganisation, or a proper upgrade with installations such as shelving, cupboards, extra lighting and power points? Whatever your plan, start with sturdy gloves, a dustpan and brush, and a suitable mask, and open doors and windows for ventilation.

Sarah suggests pulling everything out before you start, or if that’s impossible, working side to side.

“Either way, don’t just put everything back,” Sarah says.

“Do you really need those broken tools, expired pesticides or tins of hardened paint? Dispose of unwanted items responsibly before you put back what you want to keep.”

Sweep, dust or vacuum floors and walls, then wipe down shelves and surfaces with warm soapy water or sugar soap. Remove any webs and if you spot rodent droppings, lay some traps or baits. Look for first-generation (not second-generation) rodenticides at your hardware store, as they reduce the risk of poisoning non-target species like owls and kookaburras.

For ongoing tidiness, keep items off the ground using hooks, brackets and pegboards for tools, hoses, ladders and bikes. Group similar items together – fertilisers, paints and cleaners in one zone, for example – and store smaller items in clear, labelled containers so nothing gets lost. Keep frequently used gear like the lawnmower and line trimmer somewhere easy to access.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, your home can be clutter-free, clean and ready for the spring and summer of your dreams. Go ahead and grab a cold drink while you admire your work.

Now comes the tricky bit… keeping it that way.

The post Spruce up this spring appeared first on samove.com.au.

Our personal information is gold to digital criminals, and we share it readily, whether shopping online, surfing the web or posting on social media.

When our data falls into the wrong hands, we’re at risk of becoming victims of crime. There’s no foolproof way to prevent it, but there are steps you can take to better protect yourself.

We asked RAA’s General Manager for Technology, Lee Parker, for his top tips on staying safer online.

1. Passwords, passphrases or passkeys?

Gone are the days of ‘Password123’ or ‘qwerty01’ for your online accounts; if you’re still using these, please stop! Such passwords are easily cracked, which is why experts recommend passphrases instead. They’re easier for you to remember and harder for criminals to guess.

“A passphrase is a string of random and unpredictable words about 15 to 20 characters long, like rope-boat-window-mask or bird-road-curry-tiger,” Lee says.

“Use a unique passphrase for each account, especially for banking, superannuation and anything finance related.”

Passkeys are the next step beyond passwords and passphrases. They’re a more secure way to log in and use your fingerprint, face, or device PIN instead of typing anything at all. Because there’s no password to steal or reuse, they’re much harder for criminals to compromise.

“More banks, retailers and tech platforms are rolling out passkey support,” Lee says. “If you see the option to set one up, take it. It’s one of the simplest security upgrades you can make.”

Apple, Google and Microsoft all support passkeys and once set up, they sync automatically across your devices, so you won’t need to remember a thing.

If remembering complex passwords or passphrases is a challenge, a password manager generates and stores them for you, so you’ll only need to remember one master password for everything. Apple and Google both offer free built-in options, or choose a third-party app, but do your homework and choose a reputable one before signing up.

2. Use multi-factor authentication

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts where possible. Along with your passphrase or password, MFA requires something else known to you to access an account. This may be a one-time code texted or emailed to you, the answer to a security question, or a biometric like a fingerprint or facial image. Even if a criminal had your password, MFA adds an extra layer of security that could stop them getting in.

“Never share your MFA code with anyone who contacts you, even if they say they’re from your bank,” Lee says. “A legitimate organisation will never ask you for it and if someone does, it’s a scam.”

3. Keep your devices updated

Sometimes the software on your phone or computer becomes vulnerable, which criminals can exploit to gain access. Software developers release regular updates to help plug those security gaps, so when you see a notification about a software update, don’t ignore it. Instead, back up your device and then download and install the latest software to help protect it from being hacked.

“To keep your device up to date, turn on the ‘automatic updates’ setting,” Lee says.

“Your device will install the latest software when it becomes available, and you won’t have to remember to do it manually.”

4. Be aware of scams

Scams come in many forms, including texts, emails, phone calls, social media requests and fake websites. Scammers are constantly evolving and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is making scams harder to spot. Australians lose more than $2 billion to scams each year and none of us are immune; you’re never too smart to be scammed.

“Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get you to take some sort of quick action,” Lee says. “If you receive an unexpected message or request, stop and think carefully before you respond.”

Never click unexpected links, open suspicious attachments, transfer money at a stranger’s request, or download software that gives someone remote access to your computer. Unsolicited requests for money to invest or for other purposes are almost always a scam. Legitimate organisations will never ask you to pay them with gift cards, send cash via a courier, or threaten to arrest you, so hang up if someone is telling you this and report it to the authorities.

Scammers often impersonate well-known organisations like the Australian Tax Office, Microsoft, PayPal, or your bank. They can even tack onto existing text message chains from your bank or spoof their phone number to appear genuine. If someone claiming to be from your bank contacts you about ‘fraudulent transactions’ on your credit card or account, hang up immediately and call back on the number listed on the bank’s website to verify the allegation.

5. Use trusted cyber security resources

We’ve only scratched the surface, and we’re not trying to scare you. But education is the best defence, and the good news is there’s plenty more information available. Banks, online retailers, and social media outlets are proactive at educating consumers about cyber security and government websites have lots of handy hints.

“The federal government’s Australian Cyber Security Centre is a trusted source and has a wealth of free information to help improve your cyber safety,” Lee says.

“And if you’re on the receiving end of something that doesn’t seem right, visit Scamwatch for advice on what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.”

The post 5 ways to be safer online appeared first on samove.com.au.

When you think of South Australia’s early wine regions, the Barossa and McLaren Vale are probably the first to come to mind.

Arguably though, the state’s first commercial winery was established in 1838 – just two years after proclamation – about 20km south of Adelaide in what was to become the township of Reynella.

There’s some conjecture around this claim, with vines planted in North Adelaide and Glenelg in 1837. However, John Reynell built a cellar (dug by hand into the limestone) and traded wine on a large scale, which is why Reynella can claim it was the first place in SA to have a commercial winery.

Prior to European settlement, the local land near the Panalatinga Creek was inhabited by the Peramangk Aboriginal people.

When Reynell arrived, he named his property Reynella Farm and in 1838 set about planting grape vine cuttings from New South Wales and even some he obtained during his voyage to Australia from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

The first Chateau Reynella vintage was produced in 1842 and was one of the state’s most well-known wineries for more than a century.

The early days

Despite Reynell establishing his property in the 1840s, the town of Reynella wasn’t laid out until 1854.

Reynell subdivided the land, selling almost 100 plots alongside what is now known as the Field River. From here, Reynella was officially founded and by 1867, the settlement started to take shape.

In the coming years, a mill, school, a hotel and a church would all be built in the burgeoning wine district.

The horse changing station

Due to Reynella being on the main road heading south from Adelaide towards the Fleurieu Peninsula, it became a popular spot for weary travellers and their horses to rest their legs.

The building was constructed in the early 1850s by Reynell and was originally used as a farm blacksmith shop. In 1858, a changing station was set up in the same premises and for the next 57 years, a mail coach run would make two stops at Reynella each day and change horses.

A horse coach would run from Adelaide, stopping at St Marys to attach another horse to help make it up the hill to Reynella. At Reynella, the coach would switch horses before continuing its journey to Willunga.

The horse changing station ran until 1915 when the Willunga train took over the Royal Mail contract and offered a passenger service.

In the early 21^st century, the building was restored by volunteers and now displays local heritage materials.

The mill with a grisly history

With agriculturalists expanding from grapes to other fruits and wheat, John Cain established the Southern Grist Mill which began operations in September 1854. Tragically, less than three years later, the mill would kill him.

According to the South Australian Register, a young man observed Cain being entangled in the machinery and crushed on 17 August 1857.

Despite Cain’s death, the mill kept operating until about 1970 when it’s reported a fire destroyed the building.

That wasn’t before another violent death occurred in 1869. The Adelaide Observer reported that a boiler exploded, causing an “explosion like very loud clap of thunder”.  According to the newspaper, engineer and long-time mill employee Edward Condy (potentially a misspelling of Candy – a prominent name in the area) was killed instantly while standing over the boiler.

The Crown Inn

In 1853, Reynell sold a square acre of land on the northern side of the Panalatinga Creek to Robert Hay.

Since that year, the Crown Inn Hotel has had a continual licence despite several name changes.

In 1855, it was known as the Crown Inn, and only a year later it was renamed the Crown Hotel. In 1886 was titled the Reynella Hotel before reverting to Crown Inn – the current name it has today.

It was an important feature of the town, providing a resting place for travellers journeying south from Adelaide.

Originally a simple two-storey building made from bricks, stone and corrugated iron, the Inn has had several upgrades in the past 170 years.

Reynella now

Despite Reynell’s passing in 1873, wine production in the region continued when his sons Walter and Carew took over the family business.

With the introduction of a train line from Adelaide to Willunga in the early 20^th century, and more agricultural production north of Adelaide, Reynella changed and was even labelled a village of the past.

In the 1950s, Adelaide was growing and the two was split into two suburbs – Reynella and Old Reynella.

Today, Reynella is a residential suburb. However, there are hints of the town’s history scattered around the area, from the horse stables on Old South Road to the historic buildings sitting among modern homes on the site where Reynell established the winery and vines in 1838.

The post Historic Reynella appeared first on samove.com.au.