Australia Day Awards

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:18): Today, I would like to acknowledge in this chamber the contribution made by a number of people in my community whose contribution to the Light electorate and the broader community was acknowledged at the Town of Gawler Australia Day award day on Australia Day. The awards include the Australia Day Corporate Citizen of the Year, the Australia Day Citizen of the Year, the Community Event of the Year and the Community Group of the Year.

These awards are an opportunity for the community to acknowledge the contribution a number of individuals have made in our community. That is not to say that there are not heaps of other people who have done wonderful things, but on this occasion these individuals were nominated and selected to be the winners of those awards for this year. The people who won the awards certainly were deserving.

I would like to start off with the Young Citizen of the Year, and that went to Scarlett Illman. Scarlett has actually won two awards. Not only did she win the Young Citizen of the Year award but she also won the Australia Day Corporate Citizen of the Year award, which is a huge achievement, given her age. At the young age of 22 Scarlett has achieved some amazing things, including establishing an inclusive community event called the Art Show, which is being held for the first time in April this year. This art competition is a chance for people all over South Australia to enter their unique work and come together to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

The other award she won is for the Australia Day Corporate Citizen of the Year award. After graduating from high school in 2016 and working in disability, supporting clients in their homes, Scarlett saw the potential to create a unique and personal disability service. That was when Scarlett and her partner developed her small family business, Jump in Support Options. Three years later it is now a company which employs 20 staff and offers services to over 25 clients—a huge achievement.

But there is more, Mr Speaker. Scarlett also set up another service called the Northern Adelaide School-Based Disability Advocacy and Assistance. Through this service she provides support to families in Gawler and surrounding districts to access the NDIS. Scarlett does this free of charge and does it purely to help others. It is a wonderful service to families in the Gawler area.

The Citizen of the Year award went to Mr Gavin Launer, whom I have known for many years. Gavin's nomination for this award was for his volunteering work over many years which has made him excel in the community and given him the title of 'The Anchorman'. Gavin has had a tireless dedication to the Gawler Veteran, Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club, of which he is the secretary, for over 10 years. Gavin has also been committed to the community through the share-a-meal program offered by the Immanuel church, including years of willingness to be the auctioneer at many charity events.

Gavin was also the manager of Gawler Community Retirement Homes for 14 years. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, he was also the gardener, caretaker, confidante and counsellor to many senior citizens in that area. In addition, Gavin volunteers with the Gawler graffiti removal program as well as serving in the Open Door Bookshop. He is a worthy recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.

I turn to the other two awards. Community Event of the Year was shared by Gawler Cinemas, which provides its Silver Screenings, and the Gawler Australia Day event, coordinated by the Gawler Apex Club. John, who is the owner of Gawler Cinemas, has made a huge contribution to the community. In this case they have actually offered a special program for the seniors in our community. Not only do they offer this program for seniors; they have actually turned it into a charity event and have also raised $46,000 for worthwhile charities through the Silver Screenings.

The Gawler Apex Club, in partnership with the Town of Gawler and also other service clubs, has organised the Australia Day event, and they are now acknowledged for their contribution.

The other award, Community Group of the Year, went to Wheels in Motion, a project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gawler Light. The Wheels in Motion program is designed to assist disadvantaged and at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 25 to overcome a major barrier to employment and further education by assisting them to attain the required 75 hours for a provisional licence.

This program is designed to enable those young people who, for whatever reason, cannot access a vehicle or somebody to supervise this 75 hours of practice before they can get their P-plates. They have volunteer drivers who actually drive them around, and the car was purchased through the Fund My Neighbourhood program, which was run by the previous government. This program has helped a number of young people to get their licence and also gain access to employment. These are worthy winners.