ADELAIDE HELLENIC CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs a question about the Adelaide Hellenic Cultural Festival.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Will the minister inform the council about what the government has done as part of the recent Adelaide Hellenic Cultural Festival?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:53): Mr President, I—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Yesterday, in the absence of the Hon. Mr Ridgway, we managed 15 questions. Today we look like we might get half that many in his presence.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I thank the honourable member for his very important question. For the third year in a row, the Greek Orthodox community of Adelaide hosted the Adelaide Hellenic Cultural Festival, Odyssey. As part of these celebrations, along with the Leader of the Opposition in another place, I was fortunate enough to attend the 58th Annual Grecian Gala Ball on Saturday 4 October. The month-long festival is aptly named 'Odyssey' and it is a journey through Greek culture.

As I said, this is the third year that Odyssey has been held and each year it continues to grow in popularity among lovers of Hellenic culture. The Rann government is a keen supporter of the festival. I am pleased to advise the chamber that this year Odyssey received a grant of $10,500 from the Multicultural Grants Scheme. This scheme, administered by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in another place, distributes $300,000 a year, a contribution that has been increased by more than 300 per cent since the Rann government came to office in 2002.

This government values our multicultural society. All immigrants who come to South Australia have so much to offer our state through their culture, language, food, history and arts, not to mention the contribution they make to the workforce of the state.

The Gala Ball is one of the highlights of Odyssey Festival. It is a fitting opportunity to celebrate the work and achievements of the Greek Orthodox community in South Australia. There are many activities that make up the month long festival and, in particular, the Odyssey Youth Day, which celebrates Greek cuisine, games and music.

Other events that are celebrated as part of Odyssey include a comedy night, an art and photography exhibition, Greek dance performances and even a night of short films by Greek film makers. The seventh annual four-day Greek Festival will be held in conjunction with the festival's finale, the Orchestral Odyssey Concert, and this event will be held on 2 November at Elder Hall.

The Greek Orthodox community in South Australia is well established and well respected. This community continues to be at the forefront promoting multiculturalism, and it also maintains and shares Hellenic traditions and customs. I am particularly pleased to see the way in which young people are really encouraged to actively participate in the community.

The Greek Orthodox community has also been a leader in providing services for the elderly, through its legion of volunteers, who serve South Australia with great dedication and distinction. This often unrecognised hard work provides invaluable moral and practical support to the government's multicultural policies.

I know I am joined by all members in thanking the many volunteers from the Greek Orthodox community, and I am sure the chamber will join with me in congratulating the organisers of this year's Odyssey. I encourage all members with an interest in Hellenic culture to attend and enjoy the many festival events.