Light Electorate

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (17:15): Today I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of two people in my electorate. Although they have different backgrounds, and have worked in different fields, they have both in their own way made significant contributions to the wellbeing of our community.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge John Thorpe, a member of my local community, who was privileged with the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the King's Birthday 2024 Honours. John is affectionately known to many as 'Cinema Man', after owning and operating our Gawler Cinema for 33 years. The cinema became more than a place to watch films throughout the years, with multiple fundraisers and events, including the popular Silver Screens for seniors—drawing people from as far south as Victor Harbor and from as far north as Jamestown—establishing a Saturday morning kids' club, beer, wine and pizza nights and high teas, all bringing the community closer together.

These events even drew celebrity guests, such as South Australian country music sensation, Beccy Cole, country and folk performer Smoky Dawson, and even the original red dog from the 2011 Australian film. But our community gained so much more than a thriving cinema when John moved from England to Adelaide before finding his home in Gawler.

Beyond the Cinema walls, John's contributions include being a member of the Rotary Club of Gawler since 1993, fundraising for the Gawler Health Foundation and supporting education both locally and in Kenya where he helped fund two classrooms in Sonoka, showcasing a man deeply committed to others. His recognition in our region reflects the esteem in which he is held in our community, securing Town of Gawler and Apex Australian citizen of the year awards and six Australia Day awards. Even his wife, Joy, is a three-time Australia Day award winner.

The essence of this couple, who delight in surprise and joy, is showcased by not only his wife nominating him in secret, but also John announcing his OAM to unsuspecting friends and family through the clever ruse of a birthday party. His work in the community continues today, running the South Australian arm of his daughter's Sydney-based children's party business, Junior Tradies. As he was inspired by previous citizen of the year winners before him, I hope his story inspires us all to give back to our community with the same passion and commitment. Thank you, John, for your contributions, and congratulations on your well-deserved recognition.

I would also like to honour a man whose dedication and leadership has been the driving force behind the Transport Workers' Union SA/NT branch for the past 15 years. Ian Smith rose from being a TNT driver in 1994, to go and work for and then lead the South Australian/Northern Territory branch of the Transport Workers' Union for the past eight years as its secretary. His humble beginnings helped him foster a passion for transport and develop an understanding of his fellow workmates' needs.

Ian's leadership qualities led to him representing South Australia in negotiations for Australia's first national enterprise agreement, securing industry-leading pay rates in superannuation for thousands of Transport Workers' Union members, taking on the Adelaide bus industry and winning by securing fair working conditions, building the Alex GallaCher Training Centre, fighting for safe rates for over two decades, and passing transport reform into federal law just a few months ago.

Late last year, the union, with his contribution, beat Qantas in the High Court to give justice to 1,700 Qantas workers around the country who were illegally sacked. Ian compared the event on ABC Radio Adelaide to that of Makybe Diva winning her third Melbourne Cup. He repeated trainer Lee Freedman's words that:

…no-one watching that day was likely to see that feat again…not just the result, but the fight and drive the entire union put into making that outcome a reality—members, delegates and leaders.

Ian's philosophy, inspired by his late mentor the former union secretary and Labor Senator, Alex Gallacher, was to leave the union stronger than he found it. As Ian steps down to focus on his health the union continues to grow, is financially robust and more powerful than ever, giving transport workers a voice and a chance to fight.

Ian was not just involved in unions, he is also an active member of the Gawler Harness Racing Club in Gawler. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ian. I wish him well with his health and I am sure that you will have the support of your loving wife Suzan and daughter Maddie, as you have throughout your entire journey. You can be proud of the contribution you have made to the wellbeing of workers in the transport industry.