COMMUNITY VOICES PROGRAM

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Volunteers. What benefits does the Community Voices initiative deliver to the South Australian volunteer sector?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:25): I thank the member for West Torrens for his question and acknowledge his support of and advocacy for volunteer organisations within his electorate. The community—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, the majority of members in this place, for sure. The Community Voices program is an initiative that offers practical—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Certainly everyone on this side. Don't try to bait me, all right, please.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Do you want to hear about this fantastic program?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Okay. It is an initiative that offers practical support to the volunteer sector in our state. With the help of a $50,000 grant, Flinders University works with not-for-profit volunteer organisations to develop local community documentaries or television community service announcements. These productions can be used by volunteer organisations to publicise their endeavours or, indeed, to use as an induction tool for new volunteers. It really is an excellent initiative. It was developed by the Office for Volunteers in partnership with the Screen Studies Department at Flinders University in 2006. This program is a two-way exchange between the organisations and Screen Studies students from the university.

Successful applicant organisations are assigned students who work with them to develop concepts to promote and market the organisations' objectives and activities. These students have access to supervised technical skills training, development support and course processes within the university to produce materials such as DVDs and television commercials. I know that people in this place would have seen these documentaries, and they are absolutely first class.

In turn, the organisations can use these materials to increase their viability within the community. Giving these students valuable hands-on experience is not only beneficial to our community organisations (and, indeed, an ongoing link is created between these students and those particular volunteer organisations) but also it creates potential pathways to employment for these students.

The Office for Volunteers has also facilitated access to purchasing television air time at a discounted rate for community service announcements in metropolitan and regional areas, and this is partly subsidised through this Community Voices program.

A diverse range of community groups have participated in this collaborative program. These include the Community Accommodation and Respite Agency, Drug Arm Australasia, the Hutt Community Centre and Technical Aid to the Disabled; and there are many more successful outcomes from this program. South Australia's volunteers make a tremendous contribution to the wellbeing of our communities across our state.

The Community Voices program offers a valuable opportunity for our volunteer organisations by increasing public awareness of the excellent and outstanding services that these organisations continue to provide. Applications for the Community Voices program are now open and they close on Friday 28 November. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Office for Volunteers or by visiting its website. I know that every member of this chamber supports the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to our state.