Adjournment Debate

SERVICE CLUBS

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (16:48): This is a time of year when, as members would be aware, that service organisations and other volunteer groups are having a propensity of changeover and handover dinners. I know the Deputy Speaker attends many of these functions; many of us do. I have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to do so for a number of service groups over the last couple of weeks. I take this opportunity to place on the record my sincere appreciation for the work that those volunteering community groups do.

It is quite a significant contribution they make to our local communities, our state, our nation and, indeed, internationally through their fundraising work and their hands-on activities. In particular, we appreciate the significant contribution made in those organisations (the Rotarys and the Lions) by those individuals willing to serve as presidents, and although the handover period is not just now for the Kiwanis groups we also have a number of them and other service organisations.

I take this opportunity to pay particular tribute to the presidents of those groups in the Morialta area, some of which were kind enough to host me, in the last couple of weeks, at those changeover and handover dinners, and some of which I was, unfortunately, unable to go to. The Rostrevor Lions Club is a very hardworking group of people, many of whom have been members of Lions International for decades. I particularly congratulate Cameron Wyers, who of all of the service groups in the Morialta area Cameron is the only one going again for the presidency. So, thank you to Cameron for the year he has done and we look forward to working with him in the year ahead.

The Athelstone Lions Club was welcomed here in Parliament House fairly recently. The stewardship of John Heffernan has been appreciated over the last year, and we look forward to the service of Mrs Patty McKay, who will be taking on the role this year. I am sure they will have a great year ahead.

Last night I enjoyed the opportunity to be the first guest speaker in the year of Jim Silvestri's presidency at the Campbelltown Rotary Club. Campbelltown is probably the biggest service group in the area, with nearly 80 active members, an extraordinary fundraising capacity, donations and in-kind support to groups approaching six-figure sums every year. I note the member for Hartley's support for the work they do.

The new president, Jim Silvestri, has a hard act to follow. Jan Tsoutouris had a terrific year through the art show, the Carnevale, the Porchetta stand and the shed sales, which continue to go strongly every month, as well as a range of other activities. I look forward to another strong year of the Campbelltown Rotary Club, of which I am very proud to be a full member.

The new president of the Morialta Rotary Club is Mr Jeff Frankish. I appreciate that Jeff is going to have a good year, supported by his excellent wife, Libby, who, prior to my election as the member for Morialta, really spent some time with me talking about the needs of the organisation she was representing, that being PARAQUAD SA. That is something I much appreciate now in my role as shadow disability minister. I am sure that Libby will support Jeff in a great year for the Morialta Rotary Club. I also thank Brian Sincock, whose service as the president of the Morialta Rotary Club has now concluded.

Ian Carmen of the Magill Sunrise Rotary Club has had a great year. I was unfortunately unable to attend the rotary markets that the Magill Rotary Club run every month on the weekend; usually I get along there. Greg Schutz, who is the new president, has been a driving force in the successful rotary markets which grow and flourish in the new location at the Campbelltown Library car park. I am sure that Magill Sunrise will have a terrific year, as will the last of the service clubs that have just had their changeover from the Morialta area, that being the Burnside Rotary Club.

David Dewar has been president of the Burnside Rotary Club for at least two, possibly three, years. He leaves it in strong condition, with strong foundations, good numbers and good activities. I am sure that Bob Cooper—who has I think been the president of that club before; he has certainly been a former councillor on the Burnside council—is going to have a great year as president. The work that all of these clubs do is much appreciated by me as the member for Morialta, and I am glad to have had the opportunity to recognise them in this place.