Celebrating local legends as we ready for #SnapAdelaide

EVERY neighbourhood has one — a local legend who is the backbone of the community. In Adelaide’s north -east it is Eric Winwood. We chat to him ahead of #SnapAdelaide.

Eric Winwood, 82, of Ridgehaven, has lived in the northeast for more than 50 years and is the backbone of the community. Picture Campbell Brodie

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IF there was a definition for Eric Winwood in the dictionary, it would likely read “legend”.

From setting up the “old farts’ corner” at Modbury Sports Club to joining a local singles group, the 82-year-old knows the district — and the people in it — like the back of his hand.

“I love being a local person, you’ve got to patronise it,” Mr Winwood, of Ridgehaven, says.

“I have been here for 51 years.

“We purchased a block of land in the early 50s and then we had a house built on there, but it used to be a lot number in those days before there were street numbers.”

Mr Winwood joined the Modbury Sports Club in 1966 and visits every Friday night with his fellow “old farts”.

“We created that (name) and I hand carved a sign and got permission to hang it up in the clubrooms,” he says chuckling.

“Anybody who’s reached the age of 65 can qualify to stand in that corner with us.

“At the present moment I believe I am the eldest attending member of the club.

“I just love the sport, I love the people and being there for so many years everyone knows my name.”

Mr Winwood has been a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer for almost 20 years and plays night owls bowls for Hope Valley Bowling Club.

“I’ve also just officially been made a volunteer for the log cabin group for single people who have lost their spouses,” he says.

“The ladies and gentlemen go up to Tilley Reserve every Tuesday and have entertainment and bingo.

“Age doesn’t mean a thing, you can still flirt and be social.”

Mr Winwood raised his daughter and son in his family home with his wife, Rosalie, who died three years ago.

“I love everything about this place,” Mr Winwood says. “I am a very lucky, healthy man.”

The Leader Messenger has profiled Mr Winwood as part of our SnapAdelaide campaign, which aims to celebrate what we love about our communities through images.

We want you to share photos of the characters that shape your neighbourhood, by hashtagging #SnapAdelaide and then posting via Instagram, @SnapAdelaide on Twitter or your Messenger’s Facebook page - and don’t forget to visit, and like, our SnapAdelaide Facebook page.

Make sure your privacy setting is public, so we can see your photos.

The campaign will culminate in a national day of action on Wednesday, November 16, where readers, our journalists and photographers will snap and share photos.

To celebrate the campaign, Messenger Community News and Canon today hosted a Local Characters Workshop in Adelaide, where attendees were given tips on photography.

But anyone can take part in SnapAdelaide and you don’t have to wait until November 16 — all you need to do is get out in your community and start snapping.