Service Clubs

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:30): Today, I would like to talk about service clubs. The reason I raise this today is that, like most members in this place, I either have attended or will be attending a number of handover dinners and other events to mark the change in leadership of our local service clubs. I have already attended two so far: the Lions Club of Gawler, of which I am a member, and also the handover event for the Rotary Club of Gawler Light.

The reason I talk about service clubs is that they play a very important role in our local communities. I am aware that some service clubs are finding it challenging to find new members, while others are thriving. I am aware that over the last 10 years or so some service clubs have closed across the state, which is very sad because they not only provide opportunities to raise funds for important community projects—as I will elaborate on in a moment—but they also provide a venue for people to get together, have a sense of community and do things together, which is really important.

With an increase in the sense of isolation and loneliness in our communities, we need organisations that foster doing things together. Service clubs certainly give opportunities to people to do important work together in their own local communities and to undertake projects that benefit their greater local community. As an example, I will mention the two clubs I have been to for their handover dinners, and I will also indicate the sorts of activities they undertake right across the board.

The Lions Club of Gawler get involved in organising hampers at Christmas time. They support the Biggest Morning Tea, raising funds for cancer research. Through their various activities, like the Lions Sunday Market and also doing things like gate duties at various community events, they have raised funds and given money for childhood cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes research, domestic violence, the Leukaemia Foundation, flood victims, the local Gawler East Primary School, hearing dogs, rail care, and gym equipment for the Gawler Health Service.

These are some of the things that just one club has done in the community over the past 12 months, under the leadership of Libby March; secretary, David Schwartz; treasurer, Nick Brown; and past president, Helen McGee. The local executive of the Lions Club have done an outstanding job in promoting and raising funds for local community organisations. I would also like to mention the new incoming executive: the president and treasurer will be Nick Brown, the secretary will be Aileen Castigo-Hancock, the catering manager will be Rodney Sutton and the administration coordinator will be David Schwartz. This small group of people does an outstanding job in supporting our local communities.

I would also like to acknowledge the work they do in recycling programs to help Third World nations, that is, the spectacles and hearing aids they collect. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution made by the Phillips family from Gawler Caravans, who are great supporters of the Gawler Lions Market.

As I mentioned, the other event I attended was the handover event for the Rotary Club of Gawler Light. I have been involved in some of their activities to raise funds. They have had an online auction, they have held a giant family picnic for the community, they support the Australian Heart Foundation, they raise funds through working the football gates and they sponsor students overseas.

Under the leadership of Steve McLaughlin during 2022-23 and incoming president, Darryl Matthews for 2023-24, they also organised a riverbank Christmas display. They undertake car parking duties at the swap meet in the village fair, they help out at Australia Day, they help out with the Christmas carols, they actually support a youth exchange and they have actually helped establish an Interact club in the Gawler and District College, etc. That is just a range of the activities they undertake.

In the last few moments I have, I would like to acknowledge other clubs: the Gawler Apex Club, the Bottlebrush Ladies CWA group, the Country Women's Association of Gawler, the Elizabeth Freemasons, the Gawler Freemasons, Kiwanis Barossa Valley, the Lions Club of Angle Vale, the Lions Club of Elizabeth Playford, the Lions Club of Gawler, the Rotary Club of Gawler, the Rotary Club of Gawler Light, the Rotary Club of Playford, the VIEW Club of Gawler and the Zonta Club of Gawler. These are all community organisations that serve my community.