Big Night In Fundraiser

Ms COOK (Hurtle Vale) (15:37): Thank you so much, Deputy Speaker, and congratulations on the local win today. I would like to celebrate a fantastic night that we had at the Reynella Sports and Social Club. It was called the Big Night In and it was held in October. Many members would be aware of the Cancer Council's Girls' Night In, which is a fun way for women to raise funds and awareness for women's cancer research, prevention and support services while getting together with friends. Women's cancer is prevalent, with one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. In 2014 alone, 1,410 South Australian women were diagnosed with breast cancer. In addition, there are gynaecological cancers, which are also the focus of the fundraising events.

I was absolutely delighted to attend the Big Night In at the Reynella Sports and Social Club on Friday 19 October. A spin on the Girls' Night In, it started with an idea from Rachel and David Amey. Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer only three months ago. They approached Tania and Sis Inthavong of Reynella footy club, the Wineflies, with the idea to organise a fundraiser for cancer. Tania and Sis said to leave it with them and from there they sought out the help of local legend, Dave Green, the club manager and club stalwart, with their function inquiry asking if they could organise something at the club. Dave tabled the idea. He got the backing of the committee and it rolled on from there.

The cancer fundraising committee snowballed—various clubs came together, pretty much all the users at the oval—and it included as a committee John and Dave from the Reynella Sports and Social Club, Tania and Sis from the footy club, Mel Brennan from the Hub Netball Club, Andrew and Debbie from the cricket club, Susanne from the tennis club, Peter from the Reynella bowls club and Nick from the Air Rifle and Smallbore Club, just to name a few. The committee discussed which foundation they would like to fundraise for, and Cancer Council SA was the winner. The Big Night In was created, and the idea was that the guests would wear cancer colours to create a theme for the room.

It was to be a great night. With the help of many donations, entertainment and planning support, the night was well received by locals in the area. There was delicious wood oven pizza supplied by Pizza Peppers, which was a big hit, as well as lots of excellent prizes donated for raffles and silent auctions. I would like to do a callout to some of the prize donors. There was a two-hour boat cruise donated by Magain Real Estate, a split-system air conditioner from Arctic Air, three nights in Kingscote donated by Villas on the Bay, and a framed Port versus Crows showdown picture donated by the Reynella Football Club.

There were two local bands who donated their time: In Harmony and Hire Ground. Allbiz Supplies provided the printing of the tickets, posters, banner, and also car signage for Dave Green's car. Allbiz owner Di Bellamy is always up for helping a cause. She is very, very generous and I thank her for that. Mike Dobbin from Magain Real Estate donated all the decorations and balloons for the event. Tony Siebert, General Manager Corporate Services at Cancer Council SA, assisted with an event manager. They provided tops to wear and fundraising materials. The room was a sea of pink and yellow as attendees took the invitation to 'show us your cancer colours' very, very seriously.

It was a fantastic evening—an event that saw various Hurtle Vale sporting groups work together towards a common cause to raise money for the Cancer Council. Congratulations to all the clubs who took part. It was a heart-warming initiative and an awesome night, and the people who attended dug deep and donated quite freely. The official total amount raised was a massive $6,720. I have a feeling this will be the first of many Big Night In events at the Reynella Sports and Social Club.

It is a sad fact that everyone in our community seems to have been affected, either directly or indirectly, by cancer. On behalf of our community, I would like to take the opportunity to wish Rachel and David Amey much strength and love on the journey as Rachel fights her battle. I know their family very well and know that if it was someone else needing help they would be jumping in head first to help, along with sister Peta and the rest of their generous crew. So well done and congratulations, and I am sure the Cancer Council will put that money to great use. I know many members in this place support Cancer Council initiatives such as Australia's Biggest Morning Tea and Daffodil Day.

I would like to close by thanking my wonderful trainee Chloe, who helped pull this information together. It was her first bid at helping me to get some information together for a grievance in the house. Thank you very much, Chloe; you have done an awesome job today.