Service Club Week

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (16:04): I will actually stick to something much more important. I will not use my grievance as an opportunity to attack another member. You know when things are not going well on the ground when they personally attack you. That is okay. Go ahead, go your hardest.

Today, I would like to speak about Service Club Week. This week is Service Club Week, which is a time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of service clubs in our community. Service clubs have a long tradition of service to the community. Service Club Week celebrates and recognises the outstanding contribution and achievements of all SA service clubs and that each make an enormous contribution to the lives of people in our local communities. While the clubs do great work individually, when they combine their efforts they do some fantastic things for our community.

In my home town of Gawler and throughout the Light electorate generally, the workers of service clubs and the combined service clubs are everywhere to be seen. The volunteering stories of these clubs are truly amazing. These traditions have been developed and nurtured by committed individuals over many years of service to the community. I wish to acknowledge club members' willingness to donate their time to improve the lives of others, which is a true testament of the giving nature of South Australians.

Volunteering is a critical part of South Australia's economic, social and cultural prosperity and wellbeing. We have a tradition of volunteering in SA that we can be truly proud of. While the economic benefits are well known, those intangible social and cultural benefits are sometimes hidden, but no less important. The sense of community they develop is critical to the wellbeing of many, particularly for those who, for whatever reason, become isolated from the mainstream community. We also know from surveys that more than half of all South Australians—that is more than 830,000 people—volunteer in the community in some way. Whether it is formally, with a local community organisation or group, or more informally—for example, helping your neighbour with their grocery shopping—it all makes a difference and is an enormous contribution to the South Australian community.

I wish to take a few moments to acknowledge the fine work performed by service clubs in my electorate. From fundraising by staffing car parks at community events to collecting rubbish, running community markets, funding community awareness programs and helping the kids in the community, the work of service clubs is everywhere to be seen. These small bands of dedicated volunteers contribute hundreds of hours and raise thousands of dollars for local, national and international projects.

I would also like to acknowledge the members of my own service club, the Lions Club of Gawler, which next month will celebrate its 50^th anniversary—50 years of service to the Gawler community. I would also like to acknowledge ACSO, the Association of Community Service Organisations, ably chaired by Bronwyn Heard, who are hosting a range of events this week to mark the occasion.

In terms of my own clubs, I would like to acknowledge the following clubs and individuals in no particular order: Patricia Dent, President of the Zonta Club of Gawler; Pauline LaRoche, the President of View Club of Gawler; Margaret Harris, the Soroptimist International Barossa Valley club; Joe Messner from the Apex Club of Gawler; Chris Poulton, the President of the Bottlebrush Ladies CWA club of Gawler; President John Fischer of the Rotary Club of Playford; Carol Valentine, President of the Rotary Club of Gawler Light; Marilyn Curtis, President of the Country Women's Association of Gawler; Worshipful Master, Bradley Furlong of the Freemasons of Gawler; Marie-louise Lees, President of the Rotary Club of Gawler; and Lisa Aplin, President of the Lions Club of Elizabeth Playford.

I would also like to acknowledge the Freemasons group from Elizabeth, which also services the southern part of my electorate; Monica Scholz, President of the Kiwanis Club of Gawler; Ray Brussow, the President of my own club, the Lions Club of Gawler; Nick Charles, President of the Lions Club of Angle Vale; and, last but not least, Rose Muirhead, President of the Kiwanis Club of Roseworthy-Hewett. These clubs make an enormous contribution to the wellbeing of our communities, and that is what I like to focus my time on.