PARAFIELD GARDENS COMMUNITY CLUB

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (15:15): I rise today to speak in praise of the Parafield Gardens Community Club on Shepherdson Road, Parafield Gardens. The club is a real hub of community activity. Whenever I go, I see so many residents of the area there for many different reasons. On Friday night, when I have been there for a relaxing meal, it is obviously a place where families and mates get together for socialising, enjoying a drink and some good food. However, it is about must more than that. Nearly every day of the week, the club hosts different events for different groups, all of which contribute to a healthy and strong community.

Last week, I attended the Northern Volunteering SA Volunteers Awards at the club where we celebrated the work of many volunteer-based groups around the northern suburbs. We were also treated to a presentation by some very impressive young people from the Bhutanese community. Every month, the club is the host for the Salisbury Rotary Club business breakfast, and despite my unshakeable dislike of getting up early I have enjoyed going along to meet the entrepreneurial and energetic business people from around the Salisbury area.

The club provides a place to go for people in the community to meet up with others and to have some fun. For example, every Monday at 7pm you can try your skills at the trivia competition; Tuesdays, the over 50s club meets from 1pm and members play indoor bowls, bingo, darts and eight ball; speakers come along; and people also go on subsidised trips. Thursday night is bingo, and Friday night you can not only go along for a good meal as well as enjoying happy hour, but there is a members' raffle. Saturday starts with the big breakfast and every Saturday night there is live entertainment.

The club was founded by, amongst others, Robyn Aldridge, the husband of the terrific mayor of the City of Salisbury, Gillian Aldridge. It was established in 1973 and I believe was granted the original land by Don Dunstan himself. It was a far-sighted decision as the club has provided a lynchpin for the community, a base to meet and spend some time together.

The club has recently renovated nearly all of the interior and has nearly completed a large extension. But the physical assets are secondary, as always in the community, to the people who make the club: the members and visitors; the clubs and groups; and the staff, particularly the hardworking and dedicated manager, Greg Saunders. I do not think I have ever been there without seeing Greg early in the morning, late at night, working hard for the club and the community.