Vailo Adelaide 500

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:26): With the Vailo 500 around the corner, it is a great time to once more reflect on the fact that Adelaide is, to borrow a phrase, the place to be. It is easy to see why, too: it is an event that continues to draw, frankly, enormous crowds. Almost 261,000 people attended the last event, with almost 20 per cent of those people coming from interstate and overseas. But, really, more than this, it is an event that saw a record over $61 million in benefits to South Australia's local economy, with an increase in number of visitor nights to those choosing to stay just that little bit longer in our state.

The total number of visitor nights that last year's event drew to our state was 121,631. That is an increase of over 25 per cent on the original return of the event back in 2022. So it really seems that we are more than just the place to be—we are 'the place to be and to just stay a little bit longer' would seem more apt, and is that not great reflecting on whoever once had that title. We could not be more proud to have the race back and it is really great to see so many elected members of every stripe enjoying the event on race day. I am sure one day I will see the Hon. Mr Simms or the Hon. Tammy Franks there—I am sure I will.

To change gears ever so slightly, reflecting on the success of such a large event also brings me to reflect on those smaller events or those small clubs that make our state great. Local sporting and licensed clubs in South Australia are the backbone of sorts to what makes our community great. With over 1,272 licensed clubs in South Australia, our state has the highest number of clubs per capita in Australia, and with it a huge asset with the sole purpose of delivering back to our communities.

At the recent Clubs SA Clubs and Community Awards, it was fabulous to see so many of these fine clubs get the recognition they so richly deserve. I would like to mention them all, but with over 50 finalists and clubs and individuals receiving merit, the time limit on my contribution here today would not allow it. I will name a few, though: the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club received the Grassroots Sport award; the Glenelg Golf Club received the Environmental Awareness award; and the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club received the Inclusiveness award, and that is, by the way, for the third year in a row. The Murray Bridge Club received the Outstanding Community Service award; Chef of the Year went to Sarah Jones from the magnificent SA Jockey Club; and the Best Function Event Venue—little surprise to me—went to the SA Jockey Club in Morphettville.

In particular I want to mention two very specific awards: Employee of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, two great awards from Clubs SA that I think specifically highlight just how in touch with the community so many clubs are. The winner of Volunteer of the Year Award was Dennis Johnson from the Port Football and Community Sporting Club, located in Port Pirie. Importantly, Dennis' efforts were integral in turning around the club's fortunes, when not that long ago the club was actually facing insolvency. It is now thriving once again. Dennis gave and continues to give his time without hesitation and exemplifies I think the importance of people, who are the heart of so many community organisations.

The winner of Employee of the Year was Michelle Jones of the West Augusta Football Club. So many clubs have hearts of local and committed employees who give more than just sweat and tears to the club, and having been dedicated to West Augusta for over 20 years, Michelle is truly, I can assure you, one of those people.

In a quick plug for Clubs SA too, not every club is a Clubs SA member. I do hope those who have not yet signed up realise the competitive advantage they could receive—more than just awards—when they join. It seems that there has never been a better time for a good bit of collective action. To put the efforts of all these fabulous people who did receive awards in sharp relief, there can be little doubt that COVID taught us all just how important your local club can be, not just to have a pint and a parmy but also to meet friends or perhaps even make new ones.

The awards this year make it clear that, with the immediate pain of COVID having passed, all clubs and their volunteers and employees deserve to be congratulated on their forward thinking for what comes next and for how to adapt to a very different world of patrons, for sporting clubs and their participants.