Colton Electorate

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:45): I want to talk on a couple of aspects of my electorate, as I usually do. To me, this is a good time of the year—most times of the year are good times of the year, but I particularly like this lead-in to the Christmas period—because it means that we have throughout the schools in my electorate the presentation nights and graduation nights, or days, and I always find them to be very rewarding to attend. Of course, we have already had two in Colton in the last few weeks, and that was the St Michael's assembly, where we recognised and farewelled the year 12s who were preparing for the year 12 exams, and it was a terrific assembly.

At all of the schools in my electorate an award is presented, either the Mary Colton Award or the Paul Caica Award. At St Michael's, the Mary Colton Award was won by Olivia Caruso, and it was well deserved. She is an outstanding student. The Mary Colton Award goes to not just your academic performance but how you might support your peers and the school in extracurricular activity. It is a very good award, and I am pleased to report that it is well sought after because there is money that goes with it as well. At Henley High School, the Paul Caica Award was won by Callum Swain—again, another outstanding student at that school amongst the many outstanding students it has.

We have the primary schools to go for the rest of the year, and there will be seven or eight more events that I will attend where the Mary Colton Award will be presented to those students, amongst the other awards that students receive at their graduation ceremonies. It is good to see the look on the faces of those year 7 students, knowing that they are finishing their primary school teaching and moving on to high school and that next year they will be the small fry in the school as opposed to the big fish they were at the end of year 7.

I also, at this time of the year, enjoy very much the schools volunteer awards. This is an outstanding initiative you would be aware of, Mr Speaker, that was instigated by the former minister for education (the member for Wright), and I congratulate her on this particular award that recognises volunteers within our schools. I am very pleased that the current minister (the member for Port Adelaide) has decided to continue with this outstanding award. It recognises those people within the school community who have provided, without fear or favour, their services in a range and variety of good areas that the school and students benefit from.

In my electorate, over the last month or two we have had some very good events, and one that you would be very familiar with, sir, is the feast of St Hilarion. I know that on that particular day you were with the Polish people.

The SPEAKER: At Dozynki.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, at Dozynki. You were conspicuous by your absence, but I certainly mentioned to those who were there that you were at another event. Of course, I was joined by both the Premier and the member for Lee. It is a very good feast. It is a nice walk through the beautiful streets of Seaton, finishing with a mass and some outstanding food that they have available. It is a real celebration. We have spoken before about the Society of St Hilarion and the work they do, and this annual feast is a fantastic religious event and cultural experience for all who attend.

I noticed earlier this year that St Hilarion at Fulham, the aged home, was the recipient of the Margaret Tobin Award for its Therapeutic Dog Services. Jody Morrish was awarded joint winner of the Dr Margaret Tobin Award at the 2016 Australian Mental Health Excellence Awards at Adelaide Oval for Therapeutic Dog Services. As I have said, it is an outstanding service. It is currently operating out of Villa St Hilarion Centre at Fulham, and my electorate is fortunate to have such a vital service available. Therapeutic Dog Services does a good job.

I have noticed a change in recent years where companion animals are now welcome within aged-care facilities, and I have witnessed firsthand the benefit that accrues to residents in those establishments through this particular program. With that, I will finish, and say that there are many great things happening in the Colton electorate, just as there are across the length and breadth of this state.