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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-07-04 Daily Xml
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (15:42): I thank the member for Giles for paying tribute to Steve Rollison and other drivers. Steve was the first driver I had, so he says he trained me. Subsequent drivers have found it difficult, at times—temporary subsequent drivers, I should note—to live up to his standards. I think the people in the department of finance who administer this program have not always understood the role of drivers and, fortunately, they seem to have made many improvements and people of Steve's calibre are now being recruited. They provide an amazing service to the people who serve this parliament and, particularly, who serve this state and really enable the people of the state to get the most out of their officers.

My main purpose in rising today is to talk about some of those organisations in the community that beaver away and just make things better for other people in the community, often those who are not doing so well. The member for Florey spoke the other day about a quilting group that she knows of that provides support to people not only locally but all around the world. I have a local group, too, that is doing this sort of work—the Knitwits, which was formed in 2005 following successful knit-ins held at a number of southern libraries in which participants made knitted squares and created blankets for donation to local charities.

Many women wished to continue their new friendships, as well as making a contribution to those less fortunate in the south, by making a range of useful items using knitting and sewing skills. One group now meets at Woodcroft Library to knit and natter, with a second group meeting at the Hub Library, with about 20 women regularly attending each monthly session and more women working mainly from home. The support of the two libraries in providing free space and access to facilities has been essential to the success and longevity of these two groups.

Special mention needs to be made of three women who have been key to keeping the Knitwits going: Bobbie Dalby, for coordinating the Knitwits for the past eight years; Pam Worrell, who is very creative in making a range of children's clothing out of leftover material and wool; and Wilma Iremonger whose yearly donations to the Pamper Hamper, that I collect for victims of domestic violence, led to the involvement of Knitwits with our office. The Knitwits provide many goods, which I am honoured to say, they bring largely to my office for further distribution within the community. Items made by Knitwits include blankets, hats, scarves and socks, baby clothing and toys, children's jumpers and trousers, adult jumpers, reading mats and book bags, and children's aprons for cooking and garden programs. Toiletries are also regularly donated.

Services that have benefitted include: The Smith Family; domestic violence services; services for single mothers; services for the homeless; aged care homes; Anglicare; Fred's Van; children's centres; kindergartens; local primary schools; and the Noarlunga Hospital. In terms of the hospital, one recent donation was of a large bag of little teddy bears that will be provided to children who have undergone surgery there. Quite large donations have also been sent to Aboriginal families in the APY lands, and to overseas charities through Carry for Kids and Wrap with Love.

With their generous donations of time and skill, Knitwits members are making a significant but mostly unrecognised contribution to the southern community. Blankets, hats and scarves provide warmth for the elderly and the homeless; the Smith Family literacy program is supported with reading mats and book bags; many local primary schools can now provide each student with an apron for cooking or gardening; and women and children escaping domestic violence gain comfort from colourful handmade children's clothing, cuddly toys, and toiletries.

It is not just the warmth that is provided by these goods, it is the reassurance to people who are doing it tough that other members of the community care about them, and they are giving up their time and skills to provide some comfort for them. The Knitwits support each other as well, offering women a time for friendship, fun and shared goals. The Knitwits are one of those community organisations that makes our community strong, and I thank each and every one of them for their generosity.

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