Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (15:40): As members will know, within my electorate is a thriving arts and crafts community. It is a community that preserves and teaches traditional skills and keeps alive small industries that have significant value to the state.

I wish to raise in the house the work of the Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild. I had the very real pleasure of attending the guild's annual open day on 25 May. The year before, I took the member for Dunstan, now the Premier, to the open day. His knowledge of natural fibres was considerable. I was again impressed this year by the array of handcrafts on display. Jumpers, scarves, shawls and beanies had been produced by members. Baskets, blankets, rugs tea-cosies and cushions had also been crafted from handspun yarn, natural and dyed fleece and other fibres. The guild's members also produce knitted, woven, crocheted and felted items.

For the benefit of members, and to make out a proper record, I touch briefly on the history of the guild. The guild was formed in 1972. Initially, meetings were held in Mylor before moving to Burnbank, a cottage in Mount Barker Springs. From there, the group moved to the Morning Star Hotel at Wistow and the Mount Barker Oval grandstand. Finally, meetings were held in the Littlehampton Peace Memorial Hall from 1989, and the guild still meets there.

The member for Heysen will know that on 2 April 2019 the guild lost Mr Ron Doley. Mr Doley was 98 years of age. He made spinning wheels in his shed and had designed a remarkable lightweight folding wheel that could be transported more easily. He called it 'the traveller'. Mr Doley was a much-loved and deeply respected member of the guild and of our wider community.

I had the opportunity to meet Mr Doley several times. He was a thoughtful man and, seeing that I could well use an education in the mechanics of spinning wheels and seeing my interest in his work, we spoke about his projects. He was dedicated to his community and to his family, and it is right that I acknowledge and commemorate Mr Doley in this place. A special spinning day in Ron's honour was held on 23 April, with some members of Ron's family present.

The guild warmly welcomes new members, and I am sure that it will continue to do so as the district grows. I want to acknowledge and thank the present executive of the guild for the many volunteer hours they have given to the guild and to the district. I acknowledge in particular the president, Pauline Fowles; secretary and vice-president, Michiel Lucieer; treasurer, Pam Stringer; librarian, Kathryn Duncan; the workshop co-ordinator, Sandy Soul; the newsletter editor, Adele Pring; the equipment co-ordinator, Gaye Becis; the fibre buyer, Jan Graham; and the trading table co-ordinator, Claire Hutchesson.

I have been honoured to form friendships with members of the Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild, and I am constantly inspired by their energy and creativity. I acknowledge and thank them for their work in preserving and celebrating traditional and valuable craft skills in my community for the benefit of the state.