Fishcare Volunteers

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:12): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the chamber about the recent Fishcare forum and the recognition of some outstanding volunteer work?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am absolutely delighted to be able to speak again on the great work of our Fishcare volunteers. I have spoken on several occasions both in this chamber and elsewhere in other forums about that great work.

Fishcare volunteers have a critical role in educating the fishing community, engaging with fishers and providing information that assists in conserving marine resources for future generations. Just some of their roles include offering guidance and support to the public, educating recreational fishers about fishing rules and regulations in our state, distributing information brochures and educational materials, and participating in community events such as field days and shows.

Fishers would recognise these dedicated volunteers from their Fishcare uniforms, replete with the Fishcare logo, and I encourage anglers to have a friendly chat with them when they next see them and to, among other things, thank them for their work.

Today, I would like to acknowledge in particular nine dedicated volunteers as they have reached some incredible milestones in their time with Fishcare, all of whom were recognised at the recent annual Fishcare forum held at PIRSA's West Beach office. Having reached 2,000 hours of volunteering with Fishcare, I congratulate Alan Croft and Kelvin Keatley from the metro team, Neville Verco from the Riverland, and Ray Wallis from the Yorke Peninsula. What an incredible achievement, 2,000 hours is almost the equivalent of a year's full-time work or, to put it into even more perspective, one might say 2,000 question times—which one is easier, I don't know—a very long time indeed.

Reaching 1,000 hours of volunteering was Sue Verco from the Riverland and June Roberts from the Yorke Peninsula, and with 500 hours, Graeme Coppock from the metro team and Reychie Lindquist from the South-East, who was also acknowledged for 10 years' service, along with Don Barnett from the Riverland, who also reached the 10-year milestone.

Some of the volunteers whom I have just mentioned have been with Fishcare for 16 to 17 years and, just like all of our state's incredible volunteers across so many walks of life, it is clear that they keep doing it out of a passion for the work that they do and the things that they can achieve through that work.

Once again, I place on record my appreciation of and my thanks to—and the thanks, I am sure, of the whole chamber—the dedicated Fishcare volunteers reaching their milestones and all Fishcare volunteers who spend so much of their time dedicated to protecting our state's marine resources through education and sharing their knowledge with others.