SA’s Big Rocking Horse set for upgrade, with new food offerings and better access

One of SA’s most beloved children’s attractions will be getting a mega facelift – with a passionate Adelaide Hills community member at the helm.

Cancer survivor Mell Penno has bought the Big Rocking Horse and wants to restore it to its former glory. Picture: Dean Martin

You would be hard-pressed to find a South Australian Millennial who didn’t spend a childhood day at the Big Rocking Horse – now, the Adelaide Hills icon is set for a big facelift for the next generation thanks to its new owner, cancer survivor Mell Penno.

Ms Penno, a passionate member of the Adelaide Hills community, decided it was time to “grab life by the horns” after battling salivary gland cancer last year.

“I had always driven past the rocking horse and thought, ‘Oh, it needs some work’,” Ms Penno said.

“I started working at the cafe just two weeks after I went into remission in October and asked the previous owners if they would consider selling.”

They did – and Ms Penno got the keys to the icon on July 1.

The Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha is set for an upgrade. Picture: Valerina Changarathil

Ms Penno also plans to offer children’s parties with catered platters and an upgraded cafe menu including hot food offerings, pies and pasties and a dedicated gluten free section.

A “proud but exhausted” new owner, Ms Penno hoped her new venture could inspire people in some small way.

“I think it’s really important for anyone who is going through cancer right now to know that there are good things to come and there is hope,” she said.

“This was always a dream of mine and now we can bring life back to something that is such a big part of the community.”

Upgrades are expected to be completed within the next six to 12 months, with the new food menu in place from this week.

The Big Rocking Horse is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.