Chaplaincy Australia

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:30): It is my pleasure to rise and say a heartfelt thanks to the men and women from Chaplaincy Australia, and to also extend this to all chaplains working across our community. It is a privilege to have around 30 guests from the sector join me today—I apologise for having my back turned to you—and I look forward to sharing afternoon tea with you all at the conclusion of these few words.

I am very fortunate to have the ONE Life Church based within my electorate. I count myself very lucky to have Pastor Jeff Marshall as a friend, and I also note the wonderful work he and his congregation do for people in need. Through this connection, I have become aware of his involvement in chaplaincy through his capacity as the State Director of Chaplaincy Australia. For those unaware, Chaplaincy Australia is a national network of chaplains from many different churches and denominations who engage in shared objectives, practices, training and support. They have had feet on the ground making a difference since 1999.

I think it is very easy from the outside looking in to have some idea of what chaplains do for our community, but when Jeff explained to me the purpose of his organisation—and, indeed, chaplaincy in general—it made me realise I had only grasped the tip of the iceberg. I look back favourably to Peter Riggs, my school chaplain, as a friendly, calming and welcoming presence. Not discounting the fantastic influence on me and my fellow students, my high school days were as close as I had been to a service that many so heavily rely upon.

To illustrate this point, chaplains across the country are making a huge difference meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of Australians in such areas as drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, emergency food care, financial advisory services, youth care programs, employment training, aged-care services and relationship, family, loss and grief counselling, to name just a few.

Given the broad scope, it takes a special person attuned to so much to succeed and to make an impact in such a varied and challenging role. It is therefore no surprise that the training and supports given to those on the frontline to ensure success are to a very high standard. I give thanks to Reverend Dr Dean O'Keefe, the SA state director of Alphacrucis University College, who is here today representing the largest training provider to chaplains nationally, delivering courses including the Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care and the Diploma of Chaplaincy for those on the frontline.

While I feel it is human nature to focus compassion when needing support, it is very easy to overlook the pressures that these incredible people encounter in their day-to-day roles. This is why my speech today is not just a reflection on the depth and breadth of their work but a recognition of the challenges chaplains face in handling these issues at the coalface.

It is also worth pointing out that within groups like Chaplaincy Australia with its 1,003 members, the overwhelming majority of those making a difference on the frontline are volunteers with a passionate commitment to serve the community with care. When I say frontline, this should conjure up images of prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hospices, rehabilitation clinics, mental health services, critical incidents and natural disasters—anywhere where someone may need some help.

Therefore, it takes a special person, equipped not only with empathy but also with the tools and the backroom support offered by groups like Chaplaincy Australia, which continues to make a difference to many vulnerable members within our community. To put this into perspective, in the past 12 months this team has made 377,520 pastoral interventions nationally. This is the combined effort of 605 chaplains and associates with strong support from 141 professional pastoral supervisors and 40 mentors.

It is therefore a privilege when 30 of them take time out of their invaluable work to come here today and, while I have taken examples from Chaplaincy Australia, we are also joined by Peter Skurray from the Schools Ministry Group and Darren McMahon, CEO of Your Dream School Programs, who has flown in from Sydney to be here. I am grateful for their presence, and look forward to offering them a warm greeting in the Balcony Room very soon. I do extend an invitation to other members present who would like to join us.

Making a lasting impression locally and nationally, it is my pleasure to express appreciation to these dedicated people who, without discrimination, have been and continue to be invaluable in assisting with the spiritual and pastoral needs of all people in every field of life.