Grievance Debate

Bria, Mr R.

Ms O'HANLON (Dunstan) (15:12): I, too, would like to acknowledge the carers in the public gallery. Thank you for the work that you do, and the people that you represent do, that covers the full gamut of every community that is represented in this chamber today. The state would not run without you.

This year marks a remarkable milestone for a man who has become synonymous with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters: Robert Bria's 20^th anniversary as mayor. It is a privilege to rise in this place to honour his extraordinary service and his profound contribution to our community. I first met Robert back in 2019 when I was the Labor candidate for Sturt.

At that time, I was very new to politics and not everyone took me seriously. Robert did. He met me, gave me his time and his respect and treated me as someone with ideas worth listening to. That simple act of generosity told me a lot about his character. It has been the foundation of what has grown into not just a strong working relationship but a genuine friendship.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many mayors, both city and country, and I can say hand on heart that Robert stands out. It is extraordinary that someone who has held the mayoralty for two decades continues to approach the role with such energy and enthusiasm, and continues to brim with new ideas to enrich our community. What I value most is that Robert listens carefully, engages thoughtfully and treats collaboration with a variety of stakeholders as a genuine partnership. That openness speaks volumes about the kind of leader he is.

Robert's story begins long before he took on the mayoral robes. In November 1997, at just 28 years old, he was elected as a councillor for the newly created City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. He had just completed a Bachelor of Arts after having returned to Marden Senior College in 1994 to complete year 12, determined not to be defined by initially not having passed the first time round. He was re-elected in 2000 and again in 2003.

Following the passing of Mayor Laurie Fioravanti in 2005, Robert, then deputy mayor, stepped up as acting mayor. Four months later, he won the mayoralty by-election with an impressive 64 per cent of the vote. It was the beginning of a mayoralty that has spanned two decades, countless meetings, thousands of conversations and transformative change for our local area. Robert's electoral success since then has been extraordinary. He has been re-elected again and again, often unopposed, and in 2018 secured 74 per cent of the vote.

He attributes this to three simple rules: work hard, stay true to yourself, and always respect your opponents. Those principles have guided him through the highs and the inevitable challenges of public life, and they have earned him respect from across the political spectrum. What makes this all the more remarkable is that Robert has served the entire mayoralty while working full time, mostly in multicultural affairs. He somehow found the time to complete a postgraduate management degree, serve on the St Joseph's Memorial School board for six years, coach his son's football team and take part in almost every Norwood Christmas pageant during his 28 years on council.

Robert's professional background as an Australian Certified Economic Developer, his role as Deputy Chair of Mainstreet SA and his membership of Economic Development Australia have all fed back into his leadership of council. Under his stewardship, NPSP has championed main street revitalisation, heritage protection and vibrant public spaces, while maintaining the strong community character that makes places like Norwood, St Peters, Marden and Kensington so loved.

Behind all of this is a family that has walked every step of the way with him. His wife, Pina, and their three children—Isabella, Christian and Charlotte—have shared in the triumphs and the long nights. In fact, Robert told me the story of when Pina was heavily pregnant, holding a ladder while he put up corflutes late at night during that first mayoral campaign.

Like so many of our wonderful multicultural community, Robert's values have been deeply shaped by his parents—his father, Rocco, and his late mother, Rosina—who migrated from Italy in the early 1960s. He says that his public service is a way of giving back to the country that gave his parents the chance to step out of poverty into the warm sunshine of prosperity. He believes in never refusing a meeting request, believing that if people take the time to come to him, he will take the time to meet with them.

When Robert was first elected 28 years ago, he was referred to by somebody as 'that kid'. Nearly three decades later, 'that kid' is one of South Australia's longest serving mayors and has proven himself time and again as a leader of substance, humility and vision. Robert Bria's leadership has been defined by deep community connection, respect and steady stewardship. He has presided over a city that has embraced both its rich heritage and its modern vibrancy. He supports festivals and the arts, advocates fiercely for local businesses and nurtured a council culture that values both tradition and innovation. Congratulations, Robert, on this extraordinary milestone.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Congratulations, Your Worship. I am sure the house would agree that you have served our state well.