PREMIER'S COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:51): Sadly, it sometimes seems that the time devoted to matters of interest in this place is misused to denigrate members, disseminate rumour and innuendo, and for other tawdry purposes. We saw today the quite nasty attack on Tung Ngo, the very well-respected public servant who has been preselected at No. 3 on the Legislative Council ticket for the Labor Party. However, unlike those who misuse this time, it is my belief that matters of interest should illuminate the concerns and the achievements—often the very quiet achievements—of South Australians, people who work in the interests of others, frequently for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of presenting grant cheques from the Premier's Community Initiatives Fund to four community groups in and around Adelaide. These are groups that help vulnerable people with shelter, a meal, advice and companionship. They help people to connect with services and with each other. Life Community Care operates from the Life Christian Centre in Angas Street. Pastor Joe Leone and his colleagues are refurbishing their kitchen so that they can draw in more people from the inner city to share food and activities in a welcoming social setting. I commend their efforts and their goodwill.

Unity Housing Company operates a number of boarding houses for men and women in the city; some are passing through and need a bed for a few days, some stay for several months, and some stay for many years. At the Angas Street premises, I met Ms Julie Blake and her staff, all enthusiastic advocates for their service and for the people they serve. Unity received funding to assist with its community shed project, and I applaud Unity and commend its work.

I had the great fortune to talk to quite a number of the people who are staying there, and they well and truly appreciate the service. Without the service that is provided by this organisation, many of the men would have no other alternative but to sleep under trees in the Parklands and go without food, so the work is very important and the Premier's initiatives fund obviously commends the great work they do.

Restless Dance Theatre received funding to assist with the Dot to Dot project. I was very pleased to present the cheque to Michelle Ryan, Artistic Director, and Mr Nick Hughes, Manager of Restless Dance, before having the pleasure of viewing a session of the music and movement program called Growth Spurt. This is specifically for children up to the age of two with Down Syndrome. Children make enormous developmental strides when they are asked to respond to this environment, and I watched with interest as they participated with their parents and carers in songs and activities. I must say I admire the work they do. It was quite pleasant to watch the actual commitment the parents make to their children and the commitment those carers who spend many hours of the day with these children make to improving their endeavours and activities and the way they can cope with life in the future.

Toc H started in World War I and is committed to recognising the needs of others through community service. Toc H offers a campsite near Victor Harbor to community groups, including people with disabilities, as well as youth courses and projects for the frail and aged. It has received assistance from the Premier's Community Assistance Fund for its Sleep Safe project. What they anticipate doing with this money that they were given from this fund is purchase mattresses for people to sleep on.

I was delighted to meet the national director, Michael Thomas, and representatives of Toc H, including two impressive young members of the organisation. I commend Toc H and its work in assisting those in need. I suggest that we can all learn something important from the work of these groups and others like them. Their endeavours are well and truly genuine matters of interest.

I often go to look at and speak to various organisations that provide these sorts of services to the needy. Without the sort of support the government gives to these organisations, life would be much more difficult and much more unpleasant for these people. In any society, people who are more affluent surely cannot enjoy their affluence and an affluent society while knowing that other people are in need and suffering, so it is good to see that the assistance of the government makes life a little more pleasant for people in need.