LIONS CLUB OF GAWLER

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (16:31): Last Saturday night, I had the pleasure to MC the handover dinner for the Lions Club of Gawler. As members would be aware, during June and July most service clubs hold their handover functions to install their presidents and board members for the forthcoming year. I note in today's paper that Ray Brussow is the new president of the Gawler Lions Club and Chris Edmunds is the new president of the Gawler Rotary Club.

Accordingly, I think it is an appropriate time to draw to the attention of this house the great work performed by the local service clubs and their members. Firstly, I should mention that I am a member of the Lions Club of Gawler. Having said that, what I am about to say about my own service club is certainly true of all the service clubs in my community. My town is well served by service clubs. In addition to the Lions Club of Gawler and the Gawler Rotary Club, which I have already mentioned, we also have the Kiwanis Club, the Apex Club, the Zonta Club, the Rotary Club of Gawler Light, the View Club, and also the Country Women's Association.

The service clubs of Gawler devote a lot their time, skills and endeavour to community service. This service takes many roles, but two key roles stand out. Firstly, they fundraise for community projects and support other charities; and, secondly, they take direct action by rolling up their sleeves and undertaking a number of projects, from establishing local parks to helping the elderly clean up their backyards. Despite a rapidly ageing profile and diminishing membership, service club members are very effective in raising funds. For example, my Lions club raises over $15,000 a year from running a weekly market at the Gawler Railway Station. This activity, however, requires a commitment of over 515 volunteer hours.

Service clubs are always active and involved in major events around the town. They often raise funds at these major events. Service club members are often at the gates of the Gawler Show, for example, or other major events, where they staff car parks, for fundraising. Additionally, they run barbecues and food vans. Apart from providing a valuable service, these occasions are also used to raised funds for various community projects.

Fundraising events range from major events to the minor, but they all have one thing in common: volunteers giving their time and skills tirelessly and without reward. Their contribution enriches our communities both economically and socially. Service clubs do great things, particularly when they band together and work together to organise some really awesome activities in the town.

One example of this in my community is the RSL garden in Pioneer Park in Gawler. This project, which was led by the Rotary Club of Gawler and supported by other clubs, paid for the construction of a garden where the RSL can have its various services throughout the year. This project represents a great partnership between the service clubs of Gawler, the Town of Gawler and also the state government, with the state government providing 50 per cent of the funds required for the project, while the council managed the project itself.

Our service clubs need new members if they are to survive in the long term. I would call on all members of our community, irrespective of their age, to consider joining a local service club. Membership of a service club not only gives you an opportunity to serve but also an opportunity to learn and form great friendships.

As we look across our communities you will find the effort of a service club member in every corner of the community. There is no greater activity than to serve. I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to all service club members, in particular those in my local community. I would also like to wish all incoming presidents and their boards the best for the coming year.