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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-13 Daily Xml
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ANZAC DAY

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (15:15): Although it is now some time since ANZAC Day, I still think it is important to note the importance of ANZAC Day in our yearly calendar. I particularly rise to pay tribute to all the people involved in what was this year the eighth ANZAC Youth Vigil in the South. This is very much a community organisation. With each year more people, particularly young people, from the community are involved in paying tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our country and who, as we know, played such a vital part in establishing the values in the mores of our community.

This year, in addition to the youth organisations that stood guard overnight, 24 schools participated in the ceremony attached to the youth vigil, where representatives from the school laid tokens on the war memorial and in return received a book about Australia's military history.

The schools came from throughout the City of Onkaparinga. Although the youth vigil was initiated by myself as the member for Reynell, with the memorial located in my electorate, it is the City of Onkaparinga's memorial garden and main war memorial; and I know there are many others. The member for Mawson is also actively involved in the services at McLaren Vale, and the member for Kaurna is involved in services at Port Noarlunga. Then, of course, there are other services in Mitchell and nearby areas, and there are other City of Onkaparinga memorials, so I will not get distracted by that.

I want to commend the people who have taken leadership in this event once again, and to mark the service of Brian Holecek, the chair of the organising committee; Darryl Parslow, the event coordinator; Doreen Erwin, councillor; Frank Owen, the RSL secretary; and, very active at a state level, Jim Bowles, the RSL president from Morphett Vale.

This year, because of the election, my office was not able to offer all the assistance that it traditionally has. Mary Portsmouth from Amanda Rishworth's office stepped in, but Penny Gregory from my office also played a very large part in all the organisation that is required to bring this community event together. Nathaniel Todd, as a previous participant in the vigil and youth MC, is also a member of the organising committee.

Each year there is a youth speaker. Traditionally, it is the young person who has been recognised as the City of Onkaparinga Youth of the Year on ANZAC Day. This year that speaker was Emma Gillett. In a minute I will close with some of her words, but I want, first, to also recognise the range of community sponsors who were involved in making this event work. I think there are now some 27 community sponsors and supporters, and some of them have been involved right from the beginning. I particularly want to thank Chem-Loo Chemical Toilets, which have been involved right from day one. They arrive with their portable loo before the event, which is very important, and they take it away immediately afterwards. Bradley's Bakery is another sponsor that has been on board all the time; their bread and donuts are much regarded. The words of Emma Gillett are very important and I think they should be recorded:

ANZAC Day, to me, is about appreciating what women and men in our armed services have done and continue to do for us as a nation. It is about everyone being grateful for the opportunities, freedom and independence that we now have. I also see this Vigil as a way of honouring our local young people, particularly those who will be serving in their own way by protecting this valuable monument overnight.

Time expired.

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