Hammond Electorate

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (17:52): I rise to initially talk about the parliamentary schools education program and the Murray Mallee regional program, which was held recently at the Square Activity Hall in Murray Bridge. I want to acknowledge the work of the education team in bringing out their floor mats that cover both houses of parliament, whether it is the Legislative Council or this house, and the education they provide to hundreds and thousands of kids across the state, not necessarily just here in Parliament House.

We had kids from Mypolonga Primary School, years 4, 5 and 6, with 50 students attending. We had Fraser Park Primary School, years 5 and 6, with 22 students. We had Murray Bridge North School, year 6 and two groups of year 4. There were 50 year 6 and 90 year 4 students. We had Callington Primary School, years 5 and 6, with 20 students attending. We had Mannum Community College with two groups of year 6 to 9 students, with 100 students attending. Murray Bridge South Primary School had two groups of years 5 and 6, with 90 students. We also had Eastern Fleurieu school, Langhorne Creek, years 5 and 6, with 21 students.

It was great to see students from the length and breadth of my electorate attend these education sessions. It was fantastic to catch up with most of them on different days and give them my perspective of parliamentary life in the time that I have been here. Again, I really applaud the Parliament House education staff and the excellent job they do in bringing this outreach into regional communities especially across the state.

I also want to acknowledge the contribution of a man who I have known well for over two decades now, Damien McQueen. Damien recently passed away, and I pass on my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Sue, and his children, Kimberly and Bronte. He was a long-serving member of the Liberal Party and was a huge support to me as I came through preselection back in 2004. He helped with many campaigns over the years.

Damien became part of the Mypolonga community when he joined the football club as a senior player, playing 46 reserve and 20 league games. Prior to joining Mypolonga, he played for St Marys in the NT, Henley Beach YCW and the Imperial Football Club. He coached the Mypolonga Senior Colts from 1976 to 1978, guiding the team to a runner-up finish in 1976 and a premiership in 1977. Damien played a key role in organising a successful 40-year reunion of the premiership side in 2017. He was Mypolonga Football Club secretary from 1977 to 1983 and was honoured with life membership in 1984. He served as treasurer of the Mypolonga Combined Sports Club from 1985 to 1997.

Damien was also a driving force behind important developments at the Mypolonga Football Club, including the introduction of senior committee portfolios, the upgrade of oval lights and the River Murray Football League's night footy series. He was the go-to master of ceremonies for many Mypolonga Football Club events, and assisted in compiling their Dust to Diamonds & Beyond publication for the club's 80^th year in 2008.

Damien was also a valued member of the Mypolonga Cricket Club, gaining life membership in 1994. He sits fifth overall on the club's all-time wicket takers list with 538 wickets. He played in premierships in A-grade, B-grade and C-grade, and was premiership captain for the B-grade. He also umpired football across a number of football leagues, including the Western District Umpires Association, the River Murray Football League, the Mid Murray Football League and the Combined Southern Leagues Football Umpires Panel.

I knew Damien as a great Liberal supporter, a great friend, a great family man and, as I have just indicated, a great supporter of sport in our community. Certainly to the Mypolonga district he was a valued member, a quiet achiever behind the scenes who stood up for his community and a lovely family man. His family will miss him dearly. Vale Damien McQueen.