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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-23 Daily Xml
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DEAF CANDO

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:51): On Tuesday 15 February, I had the honour of representing the Premier at the 120th anniversary of Deaf CanDo at its premises on South Terrace. Our colleague, the member for Adelaide, was also present. Attended by its patron, His Excellency the Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, accompanied by Mrs Liz Scarce, who both do so much for this state, it was a very happy occasion.

Because of CanDo4Kids, which has a site at Modbury, I have a special interest in the wellbeing and affairs of those with this sensory deprivation and many in the hall were delighted to see the guests excitedly communicating via signing, a skill we have all noticed in the press conferences updating us during the recent Queensland floods, where a signer was always present.

The CanDo Group board chair, Christine Molitor, and the CE, Judy Curran, greeted the Governor. I spoke with them and Mrs Alex Crawford, the community services manager, Karl Zander, the general manager for income development, and Kelly Meier, marking and communication coordinator, among other special guests, many of whom work tirelessly to raise funds for the Deaf CanDo community.

During Christine's speech on behalf of Mr Jolly, who could not be there, we learnt of some of the special people associated with the group: Bruce Miller, who had been on the board for 50 years, and the SA Deaf Women's Friends Society member Cecily Elston, who is now 92 and has been involved since she was 17.

Among the guests seated close to me was a Mr Michael Martin, Business Development Consultant with Pro Paint 'n Panel. While there are many philanthropic businesses in Adelaide, I would like to record my thanks on behalf of CanDo especially to this particular business. Michael told me that the managing director of the Rightway Automotive Services Group (the RAS Group) is Kon Skothos, who commenced business in his own right in 1989.

Kon is a qualified mechanic, panel beater, automotive spray painter, qualified ABS (air bag systems) technician, who in 2003, together with his younger brother Tom, became the first tradesmen to receive the TAFE Diploma in Frontline Management.

Kon's business developed and in February 2000 he formed Rightway Automotive Services with the merger of Rightway Crash Repairs and Adelaide Fleet Maintenance. The business outgrew its premises in Beverley, South Australia, and in September 2003 he purchased the business of Pro Paint 'n Panel into which he integrated his collision repair operations and relocated his mechanical services division.

I provide this information because they service several major corporations in South Australia as well as Fleet SA. They are also a fantastic example of small business best practice and hold several awards, including a national Prime Minister's Small Business of the Year Award.

For the past nine years, Rightway Automotive Services has supported an enormous list of charities, and I would like to put them on the record because I know how much they thank this company for its support. They are:

Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital;

South Australian National Football League;

Port Adelaide Football Club;

Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club;

West Torrens Baseball Club;

Moana Surf Life Saving Club;

various participants of the annual Variety Club Bash and Variety Club fundraising events;

Phoenix Society (especially during their golden jubilee promotion in 2008);

various other community clubs and events conducted by Lions and Rotary clubs;

CARA, including their 2007 family day event;

Westfield Golf Day (Helen Scanlan who runs fundraising and the Westfield Golf Day was present);

SCOSA's various fund raisers (and SCOSA has a day options unit in Florey at Gilles Plains and I am particularly interested in them);

Boys Day Out in aid of SCOSA and the Epilepsy Centre;

St Andrew's School;

Pooraka Cricket Club;

Para Hills Football Club;

City of Charles Sturt Young Business Leader;

Taxi Driver of the Year;

SAAFL clubs;

various schools; and

the Zoo.

It is an impressive list and worthy of acknowledgment. It is a great example of people giving back to their community, especially communities with such special needs. I commend everybody involved at Pro Paint 'n Panel and thank them for their support of South Australian charities

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