REYNELLA KIWANIS CLUB

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:47): I rise today to highlight the work of one of the many important community groups operating within my electorate of Mitchell. I cannot help but admire and be inspired by the Reynella Kiwanis group, especially after attending their meeting last month. With just 15 members, this group has helped many thousands of people within our community and beyond. The Reynella club was formed in 1973, expanding out of the Glenelg chapter six years after the community service organisation came into Australia.

The club helps with anything in which children are involved, as well as doing a lot of work for the elderly. I especially want to acknowledge the Reynella club leadership, including the retiring president, Dawn Eastwood; the incoming President and long-term bus driver, John Coats; the Treasurer and founding member, Brian Joliffe; the Secretary, Jeff Kaye; and the immediate past treasurer, Ray Wakeling, as well as the general membership for the good work that it does.

Across Australia, there are more than 60 Kiwanis clubs and around 1,000 members. However, the goal here is the same as the worldwide organisation's mantra of changing the world one child and one community at a time. I firmly believe that we should have children at the forefront of our minds when we plan for our future, including thorough policy and legislation, which we politicians develop and enact. Giving our children the best possible start in life and the best possible opportunities for the future is absolutely paramount. That is why the quality of education and health systems is crucial, as is the provision of appropriate family and community services.

One of the ways in which the Kiwanis, including the Reynella chapter, are supporting Australian children is by raising funds for HeartKids and heart research. This is so important, because 2,000 children are born each year in the country with a heart defect and six babies each day in Australia are diagnosed with heart disease. Little is known about childhood heart disease, its causes and any possible cures, facts which put further strain on the families involved.

Kiwanis, including the Reynella club, also use their fundraising efforts to support the Flinders Medical Centre children's trauma ward. I was so impressed with the dedication and passion within the Reynella Kiwanis and the projects they championed, that I would just like to talk about a recent project that I played a small role in—helping to cook a few snags.

The project was a fun day for disadvantaged children and their families. Over 300 attended the fun day at the Noarlunga cinema for a barbecue lunch and a screening of the latest 3D movie. On the completion of the movie, all the children were provided with a show bag full of goodies to take home and enjoy. The 15 Kiwanis members raised the funds, collected donations, coordinated the catering, and facilitated all the fun that everyone enjoyed on the day.

What a wonderful contribution to our society. Where would our society be without volunteers? They provide services in health and welfare, arts and culture, sport and recreation, conservation, community-based media and a wide range of other areas free of charge. An Australian Bureau of Statistics voluntary workforce survey in 2006 found that more than five million adult Australians volunteered, while just over 30 per cent South Australians were giving their time and talents freely in a variety of ways.

Staggeringly, the national voluntary contribution was valued at the time at more than $40 billion. Voluntary activities provide opportunities for personal growth, social interaction and the sharing, broadening and development of skills. Volunteering can be of great value in preparing people for the workplace, helping them change careers or making the transition to retirement. It also empowers people who take part, giving them a chance to influence or affect their communities and groups within.