Friendship Force

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel) (15:21): I wish to acknowledge and raise in the house the 40^th anniversary of the Mount Barker and Districts Friendship Force. Mount Barker was the first Friendship Force club formed in Australia in 1982. Since that time, the Mount Barker chapter has played an integral role in assisting the formation of other clubs in South Australia and interstate.

Friendship Force operates through the philosophy that every friendship formed across the barriers of nationality, language, religion or politics improves relations between countries in material ways. Members may know that Friendship Force International was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992.

Presently, the Mount Barker and Districts Friendship Force has approximately 40 members, ranging from Reynella to Strathalbyn and as far north as Charleston. There are currently over 300 clubs worldwide with thousands of members. Of course, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Friendship Force's outbound and inbound travel exchanges. Thankfully, in September this year the Force plans to welcome a Canadian club as part of the two international inbound journeys they host annually. I know the Force is very pleased to begin travelling and meeting together again, while also continuing with local social programs.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the current president, Jan de Weerd, and all members for their ongoing commitment to building friendships and peace, improving cultural understanding, and celebrating a shared humanity. I also wish, on this significant occasion, to record, in particular, the names of the chapter's foundation members: J.T. Connolly, R. Schubert, A. Gamblin, N. Marston, T. Hunt, R. Male, J. Geir, R. Byrne, E. Grove, H. Franklin, J. Day and P.J. Marston. Their foresight was considerable. At a time of increasing global tension and conflict, Friendship Force's objectives are especially prescient.