SERVICE CLUB WEEK

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (15:49): Today I wish to speak about service clubs, as this is Service Club Week. On Tuesday night, I represented the Premier at the Association of Community Service Organisations Premier's Awards presentation dinner. The award night is a key event of Service Club Week. I can report to the house that the association very warmly welcomes and appreciates the financial support given by the state government to the awards night. Service Club Week is about celebrating the remarkable achievements of service clubs in our communities. Service clubs have a long tradition of service to our communities.

Service Club Week celebrates and recognises the outstanding contribution and achievements of all South Australian service clubs and that each make an enormous contribution to the lives of other South Australians. While the clubs do great work individually, when they combine their efforts they do some fantastic things for communities. In my hometown of Gawler, the work of the combined service clubs is everywhere to be seen. The volunteering stories of these clubs are truly amazing. These traditions have been developed and nurtured by committed individuals over many years of service to the community.

The week is about acknowledging the various club members' willingness to donate their time to improving the lives of others, and it is a true testament to the giving nature of South Australians. The state government sees volunteering as a critical part of South Australia's economic, social and cultural prosperity and well-being. We have a proud tradition of volunteering in this state, one we can certainly be truly proud of. While the economic benefits of volunteering are well known, those intangible social and cultural benefits are sometimes hidden but are no less important.

The sense of community they develop is critical to the well-being of many, particularly those who for whatever reason have become isolated from mainstream communities. We also know from a survey conducted by Harrison Research earlier this year that more than half of all South Australians—that is, more than 830,000 individuals—volunteer in our community in some way. Whether this is formally, with a local community organisation (like a service club, whose contribution we are acknowledging this week) or, more informally, for example, helping your neighbour with their grocery shopping, it all makes a difference and an enormous contribution to the South Australian community.

What service clubs do not do themselves, they do by supporting others, and many service clubs have extensive donation programs to support other community groups. The government itself has put a range of initiatives in place to support volunteers and their organisations. These initiatives are crucial steps in helping to encourage volunteering in our state, something that is vital for the future well-being of the community as a whole. I wish to take a few moments to acknowledge the fine work performed by service clubs in my own electorate of Light. From fund-raising to staffing car Parks at community events, to collecting rubbish, running community markets, to funding community awareness programs and helping the kids in the community, the work of the service clubs is everywhere to be seen.

These small bands of dedicated volunteers contribute hundreds of hours and raise tens of thousands of dollars for local, national and international projects. I wish in particular to acknowledge the following clubs and individuals in my community. I would like to acknowledge the following presidents in the clubs: Warren Dibben and members of the Rotary Club of Gawler; Peter Maas and the Rotary Club of Gawler Light; Linda Bertran and the Gawler branch of the Country Women's Association; Robert Gambell and members of the Kiwanis Club of Gawler; Leon Budnell and the members of the Gawler Apex Club; and Barry Hill (my president, as I am a member) and the Gawler Lions Club.

I would particularly like to acknowledge Ms Naomi Arnold, the President of the Zonta Club of Gawler, and her members. I particularly wish to congratulate the Zonta Club, as it was one of winners on Tuesday night, for its contribution to the Significant Women of Gawler project, which is, indeed, a good project, and one that was supported by the former minister for the status of women, the Hon. Jennifer Rankin, and also the current minister. Both ministers have made a contribution to that project. For the dedication and generosity that the social clubs and their members have shown to their communities, I would like to acknowledge and applaud them.