Winter Warmer Event

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:26): I rise to speak about our annual winter warmer, another local event in my local community. For some years, the member for Black and I have hosted an annual winter warmer and fundraiser to bring people together while supporting a local organisation or charity.

This year, we supported the Sophia Naismith Foundation. As you may be aware, Mr Speaker, the Sophia Naismith Foundation was created in memory of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who tragically died after being hit by a car in 2019. For those who knew Sophia, she was a keen athlete and volleyball player. Her parents, Luke and Pia, established the Sophia Naismith Foundation as a way to provide scholarships to help other young sportspeople achieve their dreams.

This foundation has a very positive impact on the lives of young people in our community. At this year's fundraiser, we were able to raise more than $9,000 to support the foundation to continue carrying out its exceptional work. On 28 May, 150 guests, including volunteers and community leaders, gathered at Patritti Wines in Dover Gardens. Patritti Wines have held our previous winter warmer events, and each year have been exceptional hosts and incredibly kind. Owner, Ines Patritti, general manager, Justin Tiller, and cellar-door manager, Dave Daly, treated us to their local treasure of the winery, transforming the cellar into a fantastic reception venue and of course serving their first-class wine. We cannot thank them enough for their support.

Live music played steadily and beautifully throughout the night, compliments of the Brighton Secondary School band. Thank you to their fantastic teacher, head of music at Brighton, Andrew Barrett, and to students, Leticia Lee, Tom Keough, Mina Johansson, Ben Cook, Nic Bergoc and Jackson Mack. These students are so incredibly talented.

On the night, it was also a pleasure to present my 2021 community recognition awards to individuals who have gone above and beyond in our community. Receiving one award was Tony Kennett, who has consistently volunteered with Marion council as part of the graffiti removal unit, going out two or three times a week to clean up our public spaces and streets with his wife, Janelle, by his side. Many of the pristine areas in my electorate are thanks to the graffiti removal unit and, in particular, volunteers like Tony.

Another award winner was Mary-Jane Minear. I previously mentioned Mary-Jane in this place in connection with St Jude's Players, and it was her involvement with this local theatre group for which she received the award. The success of local community theatre is largely thanks to volunteers like Mary-Jane working behind the scenes in a range of capacities, including as the current treasurer.

Our final award went to the Marion City Lions Club. Starting in 2020, this group has rapidly grown due to their enthusiastic volunteers. The group is characterised by community spirit, fun and humanitarian projects and activities. President, Judy Glastonbury; treasurer, Frank Whinnen; and members Dennis and Jan Chant were there to receive the award on behalf of the club. I want to say a massive congratulations to everyone at the Marion City Lions and note that the member for Black also had two award winners who were recognised on the night.

I would like to acknowledge now the Marion Swimming Club, one of the great local sports clubs in my electorate. They recently held their 2021 awards night at Morphettville Racecourse. Last year was the club's 40^th anniversary; however, due to COVID-19, they were unable to celebrate. The club made up for it at this year's awards night, when they organised the club's old memorabilia to be on display to commemorate over 40 years of success. I want to acknowledge the work of president, Paul Conroy, and vice president, Chris Helps, in organising the awards night and for all the work they do for the Marion Swimming Club. I have seen some of the photos online and I know everyone had an outstanding night.

This was an extra special occasion because in the 2021 season the Marion Swimming Club became the only club to win all three state titles in a single season, winning the short course, the long course and the open water competitions. I would like to congratulate the club champions for 2021, the female club champion in Maddie Wilson and the male club champion in Kyle Chalmers. Six members of the club also received life membership awards on the evening. Congratulations to Sue Lightfoot, Rachel Buttler, Anne Gilmore, Shelly Jarrett, Josh Palmer and Michelle Whitaker.

Sports clubs are the heart of our community. They are spaces where people make friendships, learn new skills and live healthy lives. It was fantastic to be able to present a cheque to the Dover Square Tennis Club at South Brighton. The club received $55,000 funding from the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing to install lights at the club so that people can use the facility throughout the day and night. Congratulations to Paul Hodgson and his club on the great news.

In fact, this year I visited several local tennis clubs in my electorate. Justin Tredwell, the president of the Marion Tennis Club, is doing an outstanding job at Warradale Park Tennis Club. Mark Flynn showed me the new LED lights they have there, illuminating their players' training sessions and again bringing more people into tennis and getting active.

At the Somerton Park Tennis Club, I met with the president, Cameron Sparkes, and the head coach, Nicholas Bradley, who does an outstanding job. At Tennis SA's 2021 gala awards night, they were recently awarded Most Outstanding Inclusion Program for the club's blind tennis program. Congratulations to all those people and all those clubs. We thank them for their work.