Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (15:43): I rise to tell the house what an exciting time it is going to be in the Barossa Valley over the next couple of weeks. Of course we have the AFL Gather Round, which is coming on the Saturday and the Sunday, and local businesses are really looking forward to making the most of this opportunity. There are some really fantastic events that I am looking forward to attending.

After that we have the Barossa Vintage Festival, which is a really fantastic showcase of our region. It is a nod to the great, rich heritage that we have and the traditions that we hold very dear. I am looking forward to participating in a whole host of those events over the coming weeks. I am sure that many in the house would appreciate that the Barossa is used to being up in lights as one of the most famous wine regions in the nation, if not in the world. No doubt there will be some attention given to whether the Barossa will play host to the future rounds of the Gather Round. I am looking forward to that conversation and some good news.

I am also hopeful that the government can finally confirm that the $5 million that is in the budget to purchase land for the Barossa hospital will finally be done, so that the Barossa community will know that land is secure and, as we are heading towards the state budget in only a few months' time, that some cold, hard cash will be put on the table to build this hospital for the future of our region. With the thousands of people moving into Concordia, it is more important than ever that we finally get that hospital.

Mr DIGHTON (Black) (15:44): I rise to make a statement in relation to the launch of a new book: My Name is Ryan. I was honoured to be invited to attend the launch of My Name is Ryan a few weeks ago at Bedford Group on 21 March, which was also World Down Syndrome Day, and I have enjoyed reading the book since. My Name is Ryan is written by Gerry Clarke, father of Ryan, and tells of the transformation of a boy born with Down syndrome to a man with Down syndrome. The book provides the reader with an insight into the life of Ryan—his hobbies, his work at Bedford Group, his friends and, most poignantly, his family life.

I have known the Clarke family in many different capacities. I taught Ryan's younger sister, Lauren Clarke—one of my best-ever legal studies students; I coached basketball with Ryan's younger brother, Patrick Clarke; I worked with Ryan's older brother, Dale Clarke; and now Ryan's parents Gerry and Joyce Clarke are my constituents in Hallett Cove. It was lovely to meet Ryan at the book launch recently.

The Clarkes are a wonderful family, and this book is a demonstration of their love for Ryan. I loved reading the reflections from each member of the family, and what is repeated throughout is how much of a blessing Ryan is to his family and to his community through the joy, the simplicity and the happiness in which he lives his life.

The book is a celebration of the unique contribution that people with Down syndrome make to their families and to our wider society. My Name is Ryan is available for purchase through the Bedford Group, with all proceeds from the sale of the book being donated to Bedford to support more people like Ryan with learning and job opportunities.

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:46): I rise today to congratulate three schools in my electorate on being recognised in the recently released Better Education rankings. These schools—Wudinna, Kimba and Karcultaby—are among the best-performing high schools in the state, outperforming many leading private schools, as well as some of the state's largest public schools. That these remote and regional schools are outshining their bigger, better-resourced counterparts is truly astounding, and it reflects the passion and dedication of their staff and leadership.

Placed in the top 50, all three schools achieved rankings based on analysis of academic outcomes. Each school scored at least 90 points out of 100 based on the performance of years 7-10 students in English and maths. Located more than 620 kilometres away from Adelaide, Karcultaby Area School, in the north-west of Eyre Peninsula, is the farthest-flung campus to feature on the list. The school, of just about 80 students, is one of only 15 public schools on the list, and scored 92 out of 100; Kimba Area School, with around 200 students, achieved a superb ranking of 96; and Wudinna Area School, also with around 200 students, achieved an impressive score of 92.

These exceptional results demonstrate, once again, how small communities in the vast electorate of Flinders are punching well above their weight in contributions to the state, and impact on productivity and prosperity. I would like to congratulate Kimba Area School Principal Tash Rayson, Wudinna Principal Ned Loades and Karcultaby Principal Neil Seaman, and all their dedicated staff and school community, on their commitment to their students and their futures—and, of course, the students on their hard work as well.

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:48): My deepest and sincerest Eid Mubarak goes to the 40,300 Muslims living in our state. With Ramadan reaching its conclusion, it is wonderful to see the celebration of Eid enjoyed across South Australia. Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed worldwide as a month of fasting, communal prayer, reflection, charitable acts and community. Homing in on the element of community, I want to highlight how local groups were exemplary in bringing people together to celebrate all that they cherish.

Over the space of the month, I had the privilege of attending Iftars, hosted by Pinnacle College and the ICMG mosque in Parafield Gardens. It also brought joy to attend Chaand Raat festivals, hosted by the Bangladesh Club and the Fatima Zahra Mosque, followed by a wonderful Eid festival dinner, held by my friend Abdul Mannan. Thank you for these kind invitations, symbolising compassion, gratitude and generosity. While parliament got in the way for me to attend, Parafield Gardens High School and Primary School also deserve much praise for their community Iftar.

In highlighting Ramadan, I cannot ignore 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. To me, we must blow the whistle on any form of religious intolerance and I want to give assurance to the 3,742 Muslims in Playford that you are welcome, respected and valued in the community that I represent. I thank you all sincerely and may the blessings you received during Ramadan be with you throughout the coming year.