Ingenuity 2016

Mr GEE (Napier) (15:43): Today, I wish to speak about a number of events that were recently held across Adelaide in the north involving some talented and committed locals. I was pleased to attend the Ingenuity event staged at the Adelaide Convention Centre by the University of Adelaide.

Ingenuity 2016 showcased the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences through hundreds of displays by university students that highlighted their projects and associated research. One of the displays I saw was a portable wind turbine that you could put in the back of your ute or tow behind your car; you might hook it up to a vineyard or some other facility that needed portable power. No power was required. All you needed was wind, and just changing the size of the blades on the wind turbine determined how much power you could generate.

I encourage all members to attend this event in 2017. It was an amazing experience full of fantastic ideas that showcased great innovation in their efforts to address real-life issues. Ingenuity 2016 saw 5,000 attendees, including industry representatives, primary and high school students and members of the university community. I would love to have stayed longer at this event, but I had to attend the opening of the Mezz.

The Mezz is a collaboration between the Northern Sound System and the Northern Adelaide Senior College. The Mezz is a cutting edge learning space, where students can explore music, gaming, multimedia learning and far more. The event started with speeches by students who had been involved in developing the centre, along with minister Close and a very good musical performance by one of the students. I have to mention Colleen Abbott, who is the principal of Northern Adelaide Senior College and a very visionary and dedicated educator. Without Colleen's leadership, many projects at the Northern Adelaide Senior College simply would not happen.

Yesterday was the Lyell McEwin Regional Volunteer Association AGM. The Lyell Mac volunteers, in their orange T-shirts or jerseys, are an essential part of the fabric of the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Last financial year, 600 volunteers contributed an amazing 137,000 hours to the association, which is an average of 228.5 hours per person. The volunteers' role will only increase as this hospital continues to expand to deliver for our growing northern community. The volunteers provide directions for patients and visitors, give access to in-room TVs and magazines, provide respite care, work in the Thrifty V shops and warehouse, and run the library trolley and gift shops, just to name a few of their roles.

Playford Alive is an area in my electorate that has many volunteers and community groups. Some of these groups were recently recognised through the Playford Alive Initiatives Fund. The fund, which is generated by a percentage of the sale of Renewal SA properties in the local area, provides grants to the community each year. This year's grants were awarded to Therapeutic Dog Services, the Northern Communities of Hope Church and their youth outreach program, the Northern Area Community & Youth Services, Habitat for Humanity and the Cooinda Over 50s Club. The programs that have been funded will benefit young people through the provision of craft supplies and outdoor game resources and equipment, and resources for ongoing programs including events, activities, mentoring camps and volunteer training for local young people.

The community across all ages will benefit from the creation of an attractive community space between the Swallowcliffe Primary School and the NACYS site and, also, through a new initiative to engage, train, educate and offer work experience opportunities to disadvantaged youth, long-term unemployed and disengaged community members. Senior members of the community will benefit from the purchase of a catering trolley and therapy dog and handler visits to local nursing homes and mental health and disability services.

An exciting event is occurring this Saturday at Munno Para. The 13^th Playford Alive Community Fun Day will hit the Playford Alive Town Park at 10am, as over 6,000 people enjoy food, drink and fun before Timomatic parachutes in to complete a great day. I hope we can end this year with some good social reforms to put South Australia back at the forefront of progressive change, and head into another year with even more reform and even more quality governance.