National Volunteer Week

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:34): As members would know, last week was National Volunteer Week when we not only showcased work undertaken by volunteers but also celebrated their work. I would like today to take a few moments to talk about a couple of volunteer-based events I attended over the weekend that also showed the diversity of volunteering and how our communities are enriched by different volunteering groups in our communities.

On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be invited to join members of the Gawler River Pony Club for the official opening of the water jump. The club has been in existence for about 69 years, and I am pretty sure that they celebrate their 70^th year next year. They have members ranging from seven years to 60 years old. They take on members from beginners, who want to learn how to ride a horse and undertake various activities, to very experienced riders as well.

This group of volunteers provides young people and also adults with the opportunity to learn horsemanship and riding, etc. It is one of the many organisations in our community that, if it were not for the work of volunteers, we would not have those opportunities for our young people and others in the community. The club is actually 59 years old, not 69 years; it was formed in 1958.

They make a huge contribution towards not only recreational opportunities in our community but also a lot of skills involved in riding horses. Children also learn about animal welfare and are taught how to look after their animals as well, so there are a whole range of benefits for our young people being involved in community organisations like the Gawler River Pony Club and I wish them well. They are currently located at Clifford Road at Hillier.

The other event I attended shortly after the Gawler River Pony Club event was the celebration at the Quan Am Tu Temple on Symes Road at Waterloo Corner, which was previously located on Angle Vale Road at Hillier but has recently relocated. The temple is a Buddhist temple, and they celebrated the birthday of Buddha, which is a celebration I have attended previously at the temple when it was located in my electorate. I have maintained a good working relationship with the management committee members there and also with the people who attend the temple.

It is quite obvious that this is another one of those activities in our community that is run by volunteers. The whole management committee and the people who put the event together are volunteers who work really hard together as a community, and it is incredible what they achieve when they band together. I would like to congratulate all the people involved with the Quan Am Tu Temple on putting on this great event. They hold a number of major significant events throughout the year celebrating various events and individuals involved in Buddhist philosophy.

Later in the afternoon, I attended the Gawler Community Volunteers Art and Health Exhibition. This is a new exhibition that has been arranged by volunteers who are members of the Gawler Health Advisory Committee, the Gawler Health Foundation and other volunteers in the community. The purpose of the exhibition is to enable community groups and organisations in the electorate to paint or prepare a work of art that in some way conveys the meaning and significance of their community organisation.

The Country Women's Association did a work of art about their work, as did the Gawler cycling group. We also had a number of schools involved, as was the Willo's Men's Shed. In total, I think around 30 applications or 30 works of art were displayed that showed the depth and breadth of the various community organisations. There was also a people's choice award for the artwork. The artwork showcased not only our volunteers but also how broad our community involvement is. On Sunday, there was another major event coordinated by volunteers, and in particular I would like to congratulate Renee Platt, who ran the Gawler Mother's Day Classic. Over 800 people walked or ran and raised over $18,000 for breast cancer research.