WOMEN'S HONOUR ROLL

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question on the South Australian Women's Honour Roll.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Women are very often the quiet achievers and are not recognised enough for the work they do in our communities, whether it be in paid or unpaid capacities. Will the minister provide an update on the South Australian Women's Honour Roll to the chamber?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am very pleased to inform members that over 250 nominations for the 2009 South Australians Women's Honour Roll have been received. The Women's Honour Roll celebrates women who are passionate and committed and who strive to improve the community in which we live. The 2009 honour roll builds on the success of the 2008 honour roll, when over 140 women were nominated and will acknowledge women who have not previously been recognised. Nominations closed on 5 June, and a diverse range of women across the state have been nominated for their extraordinary work in both paid and volunteer roles.

The women nominated provide a glimpse of the energy, passion and commitment of many women in our community who often do not see their outstanding achievements as anything out of the ordinary. Many of the nominees have provided years—and often a lifetime—of service in their specific area of expertise or interest to provide a safer, more inclusive and culturally rich community. Women have been nominated for their work across a broad range of areas, including women's health, mental illness, domestic violence, sport, community arts, urban planning, public policy, education and also within the Aboriginal community.

The honour roll is an ongoing initiative, and each year 100 women will be added to the South Australian Women's Honour Roll. From these 100 women, 10 will be highlighted for their extraordinary contribution. I am pleased to announce that the Governor and Mrs Scarce are also committed to promoting the invaluable and often unrecognised contribution made by many women in our community.

The Governor has agreed to host a function on Tuesday 6 October at Government House to acknowledge the most outstanding women nominated for the honour roll. The South Australian Women's Honour Roll provides an ideal opportunity for women to be acknowledged by their local community and to profile the wonderful work women do.