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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-31 Daily Xml
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ABORIGINAL POWER CUP

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. What benefits were derived by participants in the 2012 Aboriginal Power Cup?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:18): I thank the member for Ramsay for her very important question. The Aboriginal Power Cup concluded on 19 May with the grand finals in both the boys and the girls competitions. These games were in fact the culmination of dozens of previous matches played at Alberton Oval by about 300 students from 25 school sites. The—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: It must be said also that I am starting to become far more comfortable than I ever have in the past at attending Alberton Oval. The commitment and enthusiasm displayed by this—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: This is a very important subject, Madam Speaker, and I would appreciate you pulling some of these people behind me that are interjecting into order. The commitment and the enthusiasm displayed by this year's group of students was commendable and it was a fitting celebration of the event's fifth anniversary. This year, for the first time the Power Cup was aligned to the AFL's Indigenous round, with the grand finals being played as curtain-raisers to the Power's Indigenous round clash with North Melbourne. I am very pleased to report that I was a goal umpire in the grand finals—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I only made a couple of mistakes but it did not affect the outcome of the game, and I promise to wear my glasses next time. Just for the record, the boys grand final was taken out by Salisbury High, scoring 11 goals 8 behinds to Murray Bridge's 8 goals 9 behinds. It was an outstanding game. However, the tables were turned in the girls grand final, another outstanding game because there are some pretty good players playing in both games. Murray Bridge won 7 goals 9 behinds to Salisbury's 3 goals 5 behinds.

Some might say that there is more to life than football, and that is certainly the case when it comes to the Power Cup program, which encourages Aboriginal secondary school students to continue in education or training and forge rewarding career pathways through what is an innovative curriculum mix that includes cultural activities, team building and life skills, healthy eating, physical activity, leadership development and creative design.

The state government is a very proud supporter of the Power Cup initiative, but special commendation should go to Port Power for its commitment to giving back to the community and taking on the responsibility of helping young Aboriginal South Australians to develop and enhance their capabilities and self-esteem both on and off the football field. Recognition must also go to Santos for its valuable support, and all other supporters, in particular—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: And Port Adelaide.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I did say Port Power, but I also want to acknowledge the Power Community Board, Simon Forrest and his team, and their ability to engage the broader community in this particular project. It has been outstanding; five good years, and I hope there are many, many more to come.

In addition to participating in the football carnival, students were awarded points for completing their school curriculum tasks over terms 1 and 2 as part of the SACE-accredited Aboriginal Power Cup subject. The school work was a critical part in determining which teams played in the grand final games. There were also several awards made to teams that stood out throughout the 2012 program:

the South Australian Government Curriculum Excellence Award was won by Salisbury High School;

the Santos Staff Leadership Award, Salisbury High School;

the UniSA Best Guernsey Design, Coober Pedy Area School and Marree Aboriginal School;

the SAPOL Best War Cry was won by Salisbury High School;

the Solid Team Award, Windsor Gardens Vocational College (girls) and Murray Bridge High School (boys)—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Aren't you interested in this?

An honourable member: Not really.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Not really?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: Not really, Madam Speaker. That says a lot about your attitude towards these type of things—

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: To finish off, Madam Speaker, Le Fevre High School and Ocean View High School (boys) won the SANFL Best Football Team Award. That also included Port Augusta Secondary School, and I am sure that the member for Stuart is happy to hear that even if the member for MacKillop and the member for Chaffey are not interested in this.

I look forward not only to reporting to members about the success of future Power Cups but also to reporting about other educational and cultural initiatives that are providing opportunities for young Aboriginal people.

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