Grievance Debate

Red House Group

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (15:45): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak about Gallery M and their recent 300 exhibition by the Red House Group at Marion Cultural Centre. The Red House Group was formed in 1994. It is an artistic-managed, not-for-profit organisation that acts as a focus for art and cultural activities for all individuals and groups in the community around my electorate of Mitchell.

One of the strengths of the Red House Group is the continued involvement over many years of quite a few members. There have been over 1,400 artists in the group over the past 20 years, with 300 to 400 members in any one year. Gallery M is managed by Julie Prichard and a great team of volunteers. The 300 title in this exhibition centres on the highest cost of any one piece of art on display. All the works in this exhibition are priced at $300 or below, so there are some brilliant, affordable pieces on offer to the community.

There are works in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawings, photography and a range of 3-D work in glass, textile, clay and timber. As someone with a strong sporting background I have always admired and marvelled at artistic talent, mostly because I do not have any. It is wonderful to see so much on display from people in our local community. While there were so many fabulous artists on display in the recent 300 exhibition, I would like to mention a couple of people, if I may.

The first one is a young lady who I met on the night, Jessica Olijynk. Her work caught my eye. She had just finished year 12 and been accepted into university to study health science, but she is keen to pursue her artistic side as well. Jessica's grandparents also had works on display, and it was clear to see where her talent has come from. Her grandpa gave her a camera, and her very first work was on display, one of the first photos she had ever taken. Clearly, Jessica is a natural.

John Hamilton also had a piece in the exhibition. His oil painting was titled Waiting for David, Florence. It appealed to me, and the price was $300. John's work usually sells for much more, but in the spirit of the 300 exhibition he offered up a real bargain for one lucky person. John is an award-winning artist, graphic design teacher and workshop instructor. He joined the Red House Group in 2003, when he was living in Sydney. He and his wife Rosie moved back to Adelaide in 2005, where John got actively involved in serving on the board and the exhibition committee. John now paints full-time from his Oaklands Park studio, and he is always on hand to offer advice to young upcoming artists.

Ian Willding was another highly credentialled artist who had an acrylic on canvas painting titled White Chrysanthemum on display. It was also under the price of $300 and great value for any purchaser. Ian joined the Red House Group in 1995 and has also served on the leadership group on the board and exhibition committee. Ian has become a well-known Australian painter with an Indigenous background, who works in an abstract style. Ian's paintings are vibrant and colourful, and while he uses acrylics, he also dabbles in multimedia. Ian works from his own studio in Adelaide Central Studios in the city. Ian has also been an art teacher at Suneden Special School, Mitchell Park, since 1999.

As you can tell, there is a great variety of experience in the Red House Group, and encouragement is always given to those embarking on their art career. Members with a wealth of experience share with newer members, and many worthwhile connections have been created over the years. For more information about the Red House Group visit my website coreywingard.com.au and you can link through to gallerym.net.au.

As I continue, I would like to add to my question. I felt a little bit ridiculed there by the Minister for Transport as he said that I keep asking him the question; but I do keep asking him the question about the fund tax, or public transport levy—call it what you will. I do keep asking that question because people ask me what is going on with this tax. I keep asking the question and he keeps refusing to answer the question.

He says he wants to be transparent with the people of South Australia, so I say come forward and let the people of South Australia know which events are going to be hit with this levy or fun tax and then they will know. It is just called being upfront, honest and transparent with the people. So I do take umbrage when he says, 'Stop asking the question.' I will stop asking the question when he gives the answer. I think it is only fair to South Australian people that they do get that answer. Liverpool is a very big team and they are coming here to play against Adelaide United. If when people get the tickets it says that there is a transport levy, the minister just needs to come forward and say that and fess up and tell the people of South Australia, 'This is what we are doing. The levy is on the tickets. Here it is for all to see.'

Time expired.