NOVITA CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:35): I would like to place on the record the great contribution that Novita has made to our community. On Sunday 11 September, I had the privilege to attend and be a part of the Novita Walk With Me event held at Bonython Park. It was a pleasure to walk, along with many others, including His Excellency the Governor of South Australia and patron of Novita, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and his wife Mrs Liz Scarce. Members of the public, many Novita staff, volunteers and families enjoyed the morning walk around the park. I feel it is indicative of the generous nature of South Australians that so many came out on the day to support a charity that has helped many young South Australians since its establishment in 1939.

The Walk With Me event is intended to raise awareness of the needs of children living with disabilities and to encourage social inclusion and community support through participation. As I am sure honourable members would be well aware, Novita (formerly the Crippled Children's Association of South Australia) has been assisting young South Australians for the last 70 years. They have helped countless young children overcome both physical and acquired brain injury conditions.

There is no doubt that without the work of Novita, young children in South Australia living with a disability would not enjoy the quality of life they currently experience. Each year, Novita directly provides support to over 1,300 children through its provision of therapy, family support services and essential equipment. Through extended community networks, it provides additional support to approximately another 10,000 South Australians who have a family member living with a disability.

The support covers a wide variety of disabilities, from autism through to more physical disabilities such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. These are conditions which present their own unique challenges to both the sufferer and their families. With the support given by Novita staff and volunteers, these conditions become more manageable. This in turn reduces the stress on families and the children, allowing them to make the most out of life.

One of the key aspects of Novita's work is its longstanding commitment to research. Since its inception, it has continually been looking at new treatments to provide the best possible outcomes for young children suffering from these often debilitating conditions. This commitment has been stepped up over the past few years, with Novita forming a division of research and innovation in 2008.

The research division has a broad focus on clinical research, including research into the impact of disabilities on the wider community and in the development and evaluation of aids for those living with a disability. This research not only benefits Novita's own patients, but is made available for the benefit of disability sufferers right around the world, for which it must be applauded.

The state government has committed additional funding over the next four years to help expand the therapy services provided to the young children Novita cares for and will provide enhanced therapy for an additional 200 children living with a disability and long-term support for in-home care and respite for an additional 30 children. Novita is an organisation which over the last 70 years has brought hope to an untold number of young children, giving them a chance to live a full and rewarding life and, even more importantly, the ability to make choices within those services provided.

I would like to place on the record my thanks to all staff and volunteers, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to make Novita the wonderful organisation it is today. The Walk With Me event brings the community together to raise funds and to educate Australians about people with a disability. I make special mention of Riley Stubing and Morgan Cooper, both aged 6. They are inspirational people and were the two young ambassadors for the event. Ultimately, it is about making a real difference to the quality of life for people with a disability, and the esteem in which Novita is held only continues to grow—and, may I say, deservedly so.

It is also appropriate to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of all the sponsors and people who helped with the fundraising. I also thank Professor Downing, President of Novita Children's Services, and CEO Glenn Rappensberg and the staff for their hospitality on the day. It was a pleasure to represent the government and the then minister for disability services (Hon. Jennifer Rankine). I also note that Vickie Chapman MP from the other place was present on the day.