Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (15:14): Today, I rise to speak about the community quiz night I co-hosted recently with the member for Morialta to raise funds for the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service. I believe that the Member for Morialta has held this community quiz night for seven years now, and since my election last year this is the second year we have worked together to support this very important cause. The Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service (EADVS) provides an incredibly important service, providing safe and supported crisis accommodation, domestic and family violence counselling services, educational programs and support groups for women and children.

This year's community quiz night was incredibly successful. Almost 400 people attended and over $10,000 was raised for the service. This is certainly the largest quiz night I have ever attended, but what was most pleasing was the way the community got behind this incredibly important cause. We had attendees from right across the parliament. We had tables organised by local businesses, service clubs like Rotary and Lions, schools, sporting organisations and oval committees and many other local community organisations. We also had incredible support from businesses, members of parliament and other individuals who donated silent auction and raffle items. Michael Sfera was also important in hosting the event in his wonderful venue, Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre in Modbury.

I would like to thank all those who attended and all those who donated items, helping to make the quiz night a success. I would also in particular like to thank Lainie Anderson for doing a wonderful job as quizmaster. I can certainly say that I have had quite a lot of positive feedback about the incredible job she did on the night. Lastly, I would like to thank the staff from both my office and the member for Morialta's office for their tireless efforts in coordinating the event.

On the night, what I found to be incredibly heartening was how willing and enthusiastic the community was to support this cause. This speaks to the level of community engagement and recognition of the significance of domestic and family violence and the wider community's willingness to do something about it.

There is certainly a long way to go to address the issue of domestic and family violence as well as some of the broader issues that underlie the violence, such as respect for women and gender equality, but I think it is certainly worth acknowledging that community awareness of the issue has come a long way and that the importance placed on supporting those escaping and recovering from domestic and family violence is widespread throughout our community. Specifically, the funds that were raised will be used to facilitate support groups run by the service. In fact, an important part of providing these support groups is providing childcare services for the children of the women involved in the groups.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the fantastic work of the EADVS and the hardworking team led by Kathy Lillis. Following the presentation of the cheque, we were taken on a tour of the site. Since I visited last year, quite a bit of work has been done creating a beautiful central garden. What struck me was the peaceful environment that had been created. Whilst I will not for a moment pretend to understand the feelings of those who utilise the service, such an environment must have a positive impact on those people who stay there. It is also worth mentioning that this garden was one of many examples within that site that had been constructed with the support of volunteers and businesses.

Likewise, the playground area was full of donations such as cubbyhouses, and again the work had been performed by volunteers and local businesses. The service also receives from the community donations of food, which are particularly important for those women who have only just arrived. At this time of year, the service also receives donations of children's toys and books. The items are grouped by age, and mums who might otherwise not be able to buy Christmas presents for their children can select donated items to gift to their children.

The Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service as well as other Women's Safety Services across the state provide an essential service within our community that is sadly in very high demand. I would like to thank all those who work within those services for all that they do. I also thank the community groups, businesses and individuals who support these services in all sorts of different ways for the important contribution they make to keep such an essential service in operation.

Domestic and family violence is a horrific scar on our community that is terrifying in its impact and shameful in its prevalence. We all, whether in this place or the wider community, must do everything we can to reduce the impact of this issue on our community.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale.