South Australian Cricket Association Avenue of Honour

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:37): I move:

That this house—

(a) congratulates the South Australian Cricket Association on the wonderful initiative of the Avenue of Honour at Adelaide Oval acknowledging the contributions of more than 25 men and women;

(b) celebrates the special Women's Hall of Fame area featuring female South Australia and Australian cricketers Karen Rolton, Shelley Nitschke, Faith Thomas and Joanne Broadbent;

(c) recognises the contribution of women to sport in South Australia and the significant growth of female sport in this state; and

(d) encourages the public to visit the Adelaide Oval to view the Avenue of Honour.

I bring this motion to the house to acknowledge the wonderful work undertaken by the South Australian Cricket Association to honour the state's greatest cricketers in their contributions to the sport. The SACA Avenue of Honour, unveiled in November last year at Adelaide Oval, was an important moment for South Australian sporting history. I believe it is a part of the bigger picture in finally providing more places of honour for our sporting heroes in South Australia.

The Avenue of Honour really complements what Sport SA is looking to achieve with the SA Sports Museum on North Terrace. Having been at the opening and the launch of it, it will be a truly great investment for sporting memorabilia, and to acknowledge our heroes, but just as importantly it is about recognising the people who have made us feel good, and the people who have excelled in their chosen sports.

For every person who goes to a sporting event, and every person who sits down in their lounge room and views those sporting greats, it gives them a tingle, it puts the hairs up on the back of their neck (well, in my case it does) to see people who have worked so hard and dedicated their life to sport, and have brought home the goods.

What the Avenue of Honour showcases is the contributions to the sport of more than 25 men and women. The Lyn Fullston Lawns, launched in November, is the centrepiece of SACA's recognition to the past cricket greats. A special Women's Hall of Fame area featuring Karen Rolton, Shelley Nitschke, Faith Thomas and Joanne Broadbent is a new feature at the atrium, along with a number of banners recognising our great cricketers.

SACA's President, Andrew Sinclair, said that fans would now be able to walk through a pictorial history of cricket in South Australia, particularly recognising the greats who have played at Adelaide Oval. He said:

It is a celebration of the legends of the game—the men and women who have played for South Australia and Australia over the many proud years at Adelaide Oval.

It's been an important process for SACA to recognise the remarkable history of women's cricket in this state.

The Lyn Fullston Lawns located next to the Favell-Dansie Indoor Centre will serve as a place of reflection and a memorial to the popular player and coach who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2008 at the age of just 52.

Lyn (Lefty) Fullston was a multi-talented sportswoman and teacher who represented Australia in both cricket and netball. After a 15-year career, she retired as the only female Australian cricketer to take 100 international wickets. Fullston played 12 tests for Australia, snaring 41 wickets as well as 41 one-day internationals, taking 73 wickets in the limited-overs format.

In the Wall of Fame of the SACA Avenue of Honour are significant names that I am sure most people in this place will recognise. Karen Rolton was a batter and occasional medium-paced bowler. Shelley Nitschke retired in 2011 ranked as the ICC's leading all-rounder. Joanne Broadbent was a left-handed batter and left arm medium-pace bowler, all-rounder, and she played a significant role in Australian women's cricket, and Faith Thomas (nee Coulthard) was a talented all-round sports star. She excelled at both cricket and hockey, representing South Australia in both.

It is something that is rarely seen in today's sporting fraternities, that is, multi-talented sportspeople who are recognised in more than one sport. We know that many of our great sporting heroes are very good at all sports, but rarely nowadays can they actually concentrate on more than one sport, obviously dealing with the professionalism within sport here in South Australia.

I will just touch on a few of the great South Australian cricketers recognised at the Avenue of Honour. There is a magnificent statue of George Giffen behind the western stand. It is a bronze statue that is white because it has been zinc impregnated, and it really is one of the greatest statues that I have seen anywhere in the world of a sporting hero. George Giffen was the world's greatest all-rounder at the end of the 19^th century.

Joe Darling was the first batsman to score three centuries in a test series. Ernest Jones was Australia's first genuine fast bowler, and Clem Hill was the world's highest run scorer in test cricket at the time of his retirement in 1912. Of course, Clarrie Grimmett was a record-breaking leg spinner. Then there is Sir Donald Bradman. Now it is pretty hard to ever emulate what Sir Donald Bradman achieved. He was one of the greatest cricketers of all time: 52 tests and nearly 7,000 runs, and an average which we all know of 99.94. A true legend in world sport.

Ashley Mallett was one of the attacking off spinners who reached 100 test wickets. Gil Langley was the first-choice wicket-keeper for Australia from 1951 to 1956, and Neil Hawke was a great medium-pace bowler who was good in any conditions.

Ian Chappell was the leading batsman in the sixties and seventies. One of my childhood memories is of hanging out with my father in the Chappell Bar at the Adelaide Oval test—something we used to do regularly but particularly at the once-a-year test. I remember watching Ian Botham chase Ian Chappell out of the change rooms and he was going to flatten him. I saw both Ian Chappell and Ian Botham disappear into the car park. I did not get to see the outcome but it was something that really did stick in the memory.

Greg Chappell was a leading Australian test scorer, arguably the best Australian test batsmen since the Second World War. Rodney Hogg was a notable fast bowler who made a sensational test debut in '78 and '79. Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie is now coaching the Strikers in South Australia, making another contribution to South Australia. He was an intelligent fast bowler whose career, sadly, was marred by injury.

Greg Blewett, who is now another member of the Australian coaching team, was another very good contributor to cricket. Darren Lehmann, who we all know is the current Australian coach, is suffering a few health issues at the moment and we wish him well. He is coaching the Australian team to great strengths; reclaiming the number one test spot in the world is a great achievement. Tim May was an off spinner. I think he is now residing in the US, but he was a great contributor to cricket. Wayne 'Flipper' Phillips—anyone who knows Flipper would know that—

Mr Duluk: He made 100 on debut.

Mr WHETSTONE: He tells everyone that. He is a very good MC and, yes, he was the 14^th Australian to make a test century on debut and he reminds his audience that he did that at every opportunity.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Wouldn't you?

Mr WHETSTONE: I certainly would.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Right up there with jam-making. It's right up there with winning a ribbon for jam.

Mr WHETSTONE: I've never made 100 on test debut, Deputy Speaker, so I don't know what it feels like. I do know what it feels like to represent Australia, but not on debut. Lyn Fullston made a significant contribution to women's cricket in South Australia over more than two decades—20 years in first-class cricket is an outstanding achievement. Barry Jarman, a very good friend of my father, was a burly wicketkeeper who spent much of his career in the shadow of the great Wally Grout, but he was a great South Australian. Karen Rolton was four times named as Australian International Women's Cricketer of the Year—another great achievement.

'Great Cricketing Moments at Adelaide Oval' are obviously moments that we all remember and recognise, but some of the great cricketing moments acknowledged as part of the Avenue of Honour include the one run test win by the West Indies over Australia in 1993; Shane Warne's final day magical spell at the Ashes in 2006 (who could forget?); Mitchell Johnson's blistering spell of 7/40 in the 2013 Ashes; of course, Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain making 224 not out against South Africa in 2012; and the bodyline series in the 1930s.

'South Australian Proud' at the Adelaide Oval—I will not go into too much detail but Tim Ludeman scored 50 runs in 18 balls in the Big Bash, a great achievement; Chad Sayers, another great history-making hat-trick in October 2014; David Hookes was a great South Australian cricketer, whose life was, sadly, cut short by an incident at a bar in Adelaide one evening. That was truly a loss to cricket in South Australia, but his name does live on with the David Hookes Terrace Bar at the Adelaide Oval.

In conclusion, I would encourage the South Australian public and any interstate and international travellers to make sure they visit the Avenue of Honour at the Adelaide Oval. This is really a fantastic project and a fitting tribute to the SA men and women who have excelled in cricket. The Avenue of Honour will also continue to expand as this state breeds more and more champions in sport within South Australia.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (12:49): I rise to support the motion and I thank you for inviting me to speak on behalf of the government and take the opportunity to recognise the important work of the South Australian Cricket Association, through the Avenue of Honour and the Women's Hall of Fame.

Female athletes have achieved amazing things throughout the history of this great state and country. It is important to take a moment to recognise how far the South Australian Cricket Association and the general sporting community have come in promoting women in sport and in recognising outstanding sporting performances. The Avenue of Honour, located at the magnificent Adelaide Oval, recognises 25 South Australian cricketers and a number of great cricketing moments. The Hall of Fame recognises four special female cricketers—Faith Thomas, Karen Rolton, Shelley Nitschke and Joanne Broadbent—who each made a significant impact on the sport locally and internationally.

Another recent initiative of the South Australian Cricket Association is the naming and opening of the Lyn Fullston Lawns. Lyn 'Lefty' Fullston was a multitalented sportswoman and teacher who represented Australia in both cricket and netball. After a 15-year career, she retired as the only female Australian cricketer to take 100 international wickets.

While male elite athletes are well-paid household names, sadly the same cannot be said for the equally talented and dedicated female athletes. Late in 2015, after 20 years playing in the Women's National Cricket League, South Australia won its maiden title, ending New South Wales' 10-year reign as champions by 54 runs in the final at Sydney's Hurtsville Oval. Disappointingly, South Australian players such as Sarah Taylor, who made 110 runs in the championship-winning final, and her teammates who represented Australia, including Megan Schutt and Lauren Ebsary, are for most not household names, despite their achievements.

Most of us grew up in Australia, which focused almost entirely on the achievements of male sports teams and athletes. The message that most of us received loud and clear was that sport was for men. Weekend television consisted of men motor racing, men playing AFL, men playing golf, men playing cricket and, I might add, men talking about men playing sport. These images were broadcast week after week to girls and boys alike, and the message was clear: women do not matter. The level of sports coverage and respect has improved since my childhood exposure. On Australia Day this year, we could enjoy watching the Southern Stars' first T20 match against the Indian team at Adelaide Oval. This is a welcome change.

In 2013, South Australia's Eleni Glouftsis became the first female to officiate as a field umpire in a SANFL match, and has now umpired 15 games. Eleni will again make sporting history, this time in the AFL, as she becomes the first female field umpire to officiate a top-level men's AFL game. The first AFL game off the rank for Eleni is a pre-season clash with Carlton playing Essendon. I congratulate her on her incredible talent and drive, and in being recognised for her ability at the highest level of her chosen sport.

This great news is hot on the heels of the AFL's announcement of a potential new women's national competition with eight women's teams aligned with AFL clubs planned for 2017. This would include four teams from Victoria and one each from Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, playing exhibition games in round 1 and state games in round 2. Two matches are scheduled for Adelaide Oval: in round 1 on 2 April, the SANFL All-Stars play, and in round 2 on 5 June, South Australia will challenge New South Wales.

These changes show the beginning of a change in understanding what can be achieved by our sportswomen and how there is great interest in women taking part in the highest level of sport. In South Australia, we have had great success with our national league teams. Adelaide Lightning have won five national championships and the Adelaide Thunderbirds have won two. Yet, unlike Port Power or Adelaide Crows players, these athletes would have needed to work while training to achieve their sporting success.

The government is committed to raising the profile of our female athletes, getting greater gender equity in sport decision-making and attracting more elite women's sporting events to South Australia. South Australia has been a leader in promoting gender equity. We were the first Australian state to allow women to vote and the first to allow women to stand for parliament. We introduced the nation's first Equal Opportunity Act. Efforts to improve equity and mutual respect in board rooms and on the sports field are about continuing that strong tradition in the face of the national emergency that is domestic violence.

The Premier wants all South Australians to contribute to the cultural shift required to reduce violence against women and to promote gender equity. However, there is more to do and this response is just one step, which follows a series of initiatives over a number of years aimed at the respect and safety of women in our community. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Katrine Hildyard MP, will be leading the work to improve gender equity in sport, align sports strategy and diplomacy with cultural events, and attract women's sporting events to Adelaide. She will establish a task force to advise and assist.

While there is much still to do, I commend the South Australian Cricket Association for their efforts to acknowledge female athletes and look forward to greater gender equity across all aspects of sport.

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (12:55): I thank the member for Chaffey for moving this wonderful motion. I am a great cricket fan—not always a great cricket player, but a great cricket fan—and strongly support the good work of the SACA in acknowledging the significant contribution of 25 men and women recognised in the Avenue of Honour at Adelaide Oval. There is no doubt that this project would not have occurred without former Australian lacrosse captain, Jenny Williams, and the South Australian Women's Sport Network spearheading this push to organise a petition and working with SACA.

The women's hall of fame area honours Karen Rolton, Shelley Nitschke, Faith Thomas and Joanne Broadbent. All these remarkable women brought something different to the beautiful game of cricket. Karen Rolton holds the record for the most runs scored for an Australian in women's test cricket. Shelley Nitschke is ranked by the ICC as the leading all-rounder in women's cricket. Joanne Broadbent scored 200 runs in a test match against England before going on to coach and mentor younger players, while Faith Thomas was the first Aboriginal sportswoman to represent Australia in any sport back in 1958.

Historically, women have not participated too much in cricket and it has always been a bit of a blokey sport. I think women started—

The Hon. Z.L. Bettison: Backyard cricket.

Mr DULUK: Backyard cricket, indeed, but women's cricket started taking off in the 1990s. I recall, when I lined up for Marryatville High School's year 8 Bs, there were two women in our team, Alice Johnswood and Michelle Calvert, and they played cricket as hard as the rest of them. Alice went on to play a lot of women's cricket, and I think she still does.

In the last 20 years we have really seen the development of women's cricket in this state, and nationally as well. The launch of the Women's Big Bash League this year has been a huge success, and this season's inaugural WBBL televised matches have had a free-to-air television audience three times bigger than A-League soccer, which has obviously been around for many years, so that is a true testament to the game of cricket.

Not only cricket but sport more generally breeds and encourages excellence through the blood, sweat and tears of competition. One thing that sport does—and I suppose the member for Chaffey's motion talks about sport more generally—is to encourage participation, which is so important. In today's society, it is key to ensure there is active participation in sport, and the role of government is vital in this area.

When it comes to sport participation, the government's role is huge, and it is not just about talking but it is actually about providing funding for grassroots sports and providing funding for women's sport in particular, as we are debating the motion today. It is not just about platitudes; it is actually getting out there.

As the member for Chaffey can account for, we have seen a reduction in community grassroots funding in South Australia from this government, and it is across the board. We get a lot of fluff but not too many feathers from those opposite when it comes to women's sport.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am not sure what you mean by that.

Mr DULUK: There are a huge amount of benefits that come from community sport, and we are all better off for the involvement of women in sport and women in cricket. We have female cricket umpires and we have a wonderful domestic competition here. The more kids who get involved in cricket, the better we will be all around.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:59): I thank all members who have contributed to this motion. I was at the opening the Avenue of Honour and I think it is a worthy motion that I have put up today. The SACA needs to be congratulated for the great work and research that they have done and the effort and money that has been put into making the Avenue of Honour. I congratulate all of the members and all of the sportspeople who are part of the Avenue of Honour.

Gender equity is becoming a given in today's society. I wish that governments would treat it that way. We need to understand the needs of women in sport. We do need to provide them with adequate facilities. We do need to give them a better go in the media. We do need to give them the right of reply when it comes to sport.

I do ask the government to treat women in sport with a bipartisan approach. To date, there has been a little bit of, 'This is our initiative and no one else can play,' but the Avenue of Honour is a great drawcard for Adelaide Oval. It complements a world-class facility. I encourage the public to visit. I encourage every person in this building to understand that the Avenue of Honour is there. The Lyn Fullston Memorial Lawns is at the start of the Avenue of Honour. Her family in the Mallee are very proud of that memento. Without any further ado, I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried.

Sitting suspended from 13:01 to 14:00.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the Treasurer to order.