PARKINSON'S SA

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:31): I would like to take this opportunity to place on record the good work of Parkinson's SA. Recently I had the privilege of attending and participating in the annual Parkinson's SA Unity Walk, which takes place in September each year along the River Torrens. This year's walk was the third staging of the event in South Australia, with over 360 participants completing the 4.5 kilometre walk. I should add that I was not able to take part in the full walk. The event was held in partnership with the inaugural Unity Walk that also took place in Clare last Sunday, 28 October.

The purpose of the Unity Walk event is to help raise the profile of the often misunderstood disease that is Parkinson's, as well as to help raise funds to assist in the ongoing fight against the disease. It also allows Parkinson's SA to continue its support programs, services and advocacy for those South Australians living with Parkinson's. I am advised that around $20,000 has been raised as a direct result of this year's event, which is certainly a wonderful achievement by all involved, including the many who donated their time to making this day happen.

Since its incorporation in 1983 Parkinson's SA has been working tirelessly to both advocate and provide support for those living with Parkinson's, including their carers and families. It also, through its research fund, provides partial scholarships to honours students undertaking research into the condition. It is this research that is vital to gaining a better understanding of the condition.

Parkinson's is a neurological condition that affects movement, meaning that people living with it are unable to properly control muscles within their body, as messages from the brain are not effectively communicated throughout the body. There are some 6,500 South Australians and over 80,000 people across Australia who have the condition.

Little is known about what causes the disease. As a result, the process of diagnosis is quite difficult and time-consuming, as there is no effective test for the disease. I understand the diagnosis is often achieved through a process of gradual elimination, which is certainly not ideal. Whilst there are medications available to assist those living with the condition and help them to control the symptoms—such as the severe tremors in the legs, arms and face, loss of balance and stiffness in the limbs—there is still no known cure for Parkinson's. It means that those living with the condition are faced with the gradual but inevitable loss of mobility.

The lack of understanding of the disease is one of the key reasons why fundraising events held by Parkinson's SA and its sister organisations across Australia, such as the Unity Walk, are vitally important. They will help provide the much needed funding to further the research that is being undertaken into Parkinson's disease. It will ensure that the quality of life of those living with the disease will continue to improve.

Since the inception of Parkinson's SA both staff and volunteers have worked extremely hard to help raise the profile of Parkinson's disease in the community and also provide support services to those with the condition, allowing them to continue living their lives to the fullest. Parkinson's SA raises 75 per cent of its income itself from events, donations and sponsorship.

I also make special mention of those who made Unity Walk a success, including the President, Professor John Power; the event organiser, Lee Scammell; walk logistics organiser, Stanley Miller OAM; as well as volunteers from the Port Adelaide Athletics Club and the Masters Athletics Club. The volunteer coordinators for the day were Simon Pilley and Olivia Makrid, and the City of Adelaide Lions Club ran the barbecue.

I also thank the sponsors who supported the event—Medtronic, St Jude Medical, and Memorial Hospital—and all of those who assisted with all the fundraising. The patron, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Mrs Scarce also joined the walk, albeit for a shorter distance because of their commitments. It was truly a great and very successful day, and I urge everyone to continue to support this wonderful organisation.