Kavel Electorate

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (15:11): Christmas is a time for family, love and friendship and it is a time when my community comes together to celebrate Christmas and the passing of the year. Many volunteers have been working exceptionally hard to ensure that our carols, pageants, parades and community events can be widely enjoyed in the Hills. I want to take a moment to acknowledge in this place the work of those volunteers.

Last Friday, I was able to join the Littlehampton community for Carols on the Glebe. The Glebe land comprises eight hectares of community land to the east of Littlehampton, and the Littlehampton Community Association has worked to protect the Glebe so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. I am very grateful for their work. The Littlehampton carols, amongst other events, demonstrate the value and utility of the Glebe as community open space.

I also want to mention LCA President, Glenn Liebelt; his daughter Amanda; secretary, Lyndal Schliebs; Michelle Raison; Kaye Nieuwenhuizen, who organised the letters to Santa; members of the Littlehampton hall committee, including Frank Jacob and his daughter Ruth; and, of course, stallholders, bands and community members who attended and participated.

On Saturday, the annual Balhannah/Oakbank Community Carols were held at Oakbank Area School. Many local families were able to attend. It was also an opportunity to thank CFS volunteers, ambulance volunteers and others who have worked so hard to assist fire-affected communities in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

I also thank musical director, Karen Redman; the Mount Barker District Concert Band and the Mount Barker Big Band, who formed the carols superband; vocalists, Lisa Duffield, Ashleigh Jocks, Yvette Hawke, Eliza Lovelock, Willow Rist, Matilda Lovelock and Sophie McCallum; and the Hills Christian Community School vocalists, the Angelicus Choir from St Francis De Sales College, and JIVE from Cornerstone College, who made up the choir and ensembles on the night.

I would also like to acknowledge Ron Pitcher, David Fletcher, Michelle Bull and Kay Gibb for all their efforts as members of the organising committee, together with Karen Redman, who I mentioned earlier. I also acknowledge volunteers from the Balhannah Uniting Church who were also on hand to ensure the night was a success.

A number of further Christmas events are planned in Kavel. This Saturday promises to be a big day in Mount Barker. In the morning, the Mount Barker Christmas Pageant will wind its way through the township. I thank and acknowledge the president of the organising pageant committee, Phil Barnett; the secretary, Cherie de Wit; and the treasurer, Simone Hansen. I also acknowledge Judy Barnett, Greg Menei, Darcy Walsh, Chris Whittall, Gayle Allwood, Michael Buckley, Ben Herbig, Maria Lezuo, Shannon Hemmings and Matthew Lander.

On Saturday evening, following the Mount Barker pageant, Keith Stephenson Park will come alive for the Mount Barker Christmas carols. I wish to acknowledge and thank David Fletcher, Pastor Garry Leach, Father Thomas Karamakuzhiyil, Pastors Caleb and Renee Saldanha and many others who have been working hard to ensure the night is a success.

The Lobethal Valley will light up on Sunday 8 December for the Lights of Lobethal Christmas Festival. In the true Christmas spirit, the event has continued for over 60 years and has now evolved into what is believed to be the largest community Christmas light display in the Southern Hemisphere. The festival continues until Sunday 29 December.

The community of Nairne will come together for the Nairne Community Carols at Nairne Primary School on Saturday 14 December. The Nairne Community Carols is an annual event supported by the Nairne and Districts Residents' Association and enjoyed by approximately 300 people. I wish to recognise the carols' organising committee, comprising Ellen Lyall, Kelly Richardson, Emma Martin, Annette Gladigau and Margaret Vincent, for their work, as well as NDRA President, Stephen Lucas, and his team for their ongoing service to the Nairne community, and all other volunteers involved in bringing the event forward.

Finally, the Woodside Christmas Pageant will be held on Thursday 19 December. For many years, the pageant has been organised by parade coordinator, Jim Hennessey, and the Woodside Commerce Association. It is always a wonderful occasion. Jim has been ably assisted for many years by his wife, Glenice; Jodie Hogben; WCA President, Tremaine Kerber; MC Andrew Stratford; and a dedicated band.

Carols, pageants and parades bring joy and delight not just to my community but to many people across the state. It would not be possible to run them without the substantial commitment and passion of volunteers, some of whom I have acknowledged in this place in the time available to me. Their names are representative of all the volunteers in my community and volunteers across the state who continue to serve and enhance the Christmas spirit.