by Carla Caruso

You can’t take it with you when you go … but you can leave something behind to support your open, green, public Adelaide Park Lands.

One man who has done just that is APA Life Member and donor Aaron Gray, who recently retired as an operational leader at a Western Australian mine.

The 47-year-old has amended his will to leave a substantial portion of his estate to the Adelaide Park Lands Association.

Aaron is also an active donor – in fact, he’s been the single largest donor to the association since 2023. This year, he’s been involved in planning APA’s future as a member of our Strategic Planning subcommittee too.

*Aaron Gray became interested in the APA’s cause when the previous state government controversially proposed building a stadium here, in Helen Mayo Park (Park 27).*

Aaron got interested in the association three years ago when he moved from Perth to Adelaide. He lives in the city.

“I didn’t have a car, so I appreciated the Park Lands and how important they were,” said Aaron, who also has a background in the military and law.

*Aaron Gray previously worked in WA’s Pilbara region.*

“When I became aware of what the [former] government was going to do with the [proposed] stadium development [in Helen Mayo Park / Park 27], and I saw one of the association’s corflutes against it, I thought, ‘My goodness, we would never do this in Perth with Kings Park, why are they doing it in Adelaide?’

“So, I became involved with the association, and then, I’ve continued to appreciate and see the value and the fragility of the natural form of our Park Lands, hence why I continue to be involved with the group.”

Along with helping the association with funds, Aaron also does his bit for the Park Lands by picking up rubbish and weeding when he’s out walking his dogs – mostly in the southeastern and western parts of the Park Lands, including Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W).

*Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21W) is one of Aaron’s favourite spots for a wander.*

Assigning proceeds to APA when he’s gone is a natural progression. “The Adelaide Park Lands Association is the only activist group there to protect the Park Lands,” Aaron said.

“We need to support the organisation now, and after we’ve gone, we can continue activism through citing APA in our wills.”

Donating to APA is only one of the many things you can do for your Park Lands. Here’s a list of 11 options to consider. Some are really easy to do! https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/take-action