The Smith Family

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:08): On Thursday 22 October, it was my honour to represent the Premier at The Smith Family's Great Big Thank You Luncheon held in the inspiring surrounds of the Science Exchange Building. I have long been aware of The Smith Family's work through my association with VIEW clubs, most particularly the Tea Tree Gully VIEW club, which is a wonderful group of women who come together regularly, have fun and fellowship and do great work. I salute them and all they do.

The Smith Family delivers lasting benefits to young Australians in need and their families by providing support for schooling. CEO Dr Lisa O'Brien said in her welcoming presentation that financial assistance is coupled with mentoring through a learning-for-life coordinator who helps the young people stay engaged in their learning and provides them the help to build positive aspirations; and education is the key to breaking the cycle and making a real difference and, most importantly, changing lives.

The Smith Family also undertakes research to prove that its programs are right on target. And, 20,409 caring supporters donated to the 2015 Winter Appeal, helping 9,575 children towards reaching their full potential.

There are many testimonials to show what a real difference this great work has made. Last year alone, 134,265 children, parents and caregivers, received support across a range of The Smith Family's programs, including programs like Let's Count, iTrack, the Tertiary Mentoring Program, student2student, and Tech Packs. A huge number of supporters play a giant role in making all this happen through events like the BUPA Around the Bay, The Smith Family Challenge and the Toy and Book Appeal.

The sponsors include too many universities and corporates to name here today, but they include AGL, the ANZ bank, the Wyatt Trust, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Iluka, Medibank Community Fund, Santos, and SA Water, who hosted the lunch. I had the pleasure to speak with John Kouzaba, who is the Senior Manager (Learning and Development), and Phil Jones, Manager of Community Relations for SA Water, along with guest speaker, South Australia's own David Penberthy, who gave a great and entertaining address, reminding us of the impact of a great teacher.

In the week of World Teachers' Day, it reminds us of the work of all our great educators. I will visit each school in Florey, as I do every year, and deliver fresh buns from Baker's Delight at St Agnes (who get up very early to bake over 250 large buns for me) to show every teacher that they are truly valued. My family are all teachers, so I know firsthand the work that goes into providing the best opportunity for every child.

In Florey, there are several significant school anniversaries this year. Modbury High, a great local school, celebrates its 50^th anniversary. Now under the leadership of principal, Martin Rumsby, and governing council chair, Julie Caust, this school has much of which to be proud. Modbury South Primary School is 50 also, and acting principal, Sharon Robertson, is leading activities to observe this very important milestone of a great local school this week. Modbury Kindergarten has just celebrated 30 years, and under director, Nicole Otto, the staff and the families of the kindy community unveiled a really big mural and buried a time capsule last weekend.

Early learning has rightly been recognised as vital, and today is 28October—a very special day for me as it is the 107^th anniversary of the Grille Protest, the day that South Australia's Muriel Matters chained herself to the Ladies Gallery in the House of Commons and made the first speech by a woman in the British parliament. While members may know of some of Muriel's suffrage exploits, perhaps many of you are not aware that she was a Montessori teacher. After studying under Maria Montessori, Muriel took the world's best practice to the poorest children in London's East End at Sylvia Pankhurst's school in the Mother's Arms Hotel.

Montessori has been in Australia 100 years and has a proud history, as does early learning in South Australia through the de Lissa school, which is now part of the University of South Australia's Magill campus, and the great public education system that fostered Muriel. Those early educators taught her that she could be anything she wanted to be and could achieve anything she wanted to achieve. It is no mistake that she went on to be a leader in the UK suffrage movement, having grown up with and been nurtured by the free thinkers and pioneers of the early days of this great state.

Like Sylvia Pankhurst, Muriel knew that education was the key. As we reflect on their work over 100 years ago, we are mindful that that struggle still continues through the efforts of all educators supported by families, who are, after all, a child's first teachers, and organisations, such as The Smith Family, which step up to make sure that there truly is every chance for every child.

The SPEAKER: The member for Florey mentioned anniversaries, and it would be remiss of me not to mention that on the weekend was the feast of Crispin and Crispinian and therefore the 600^th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

Ms BEDFORD: You know I have never been good at numbers, sir, but they were impressive.