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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-09-23 Daily Xml
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School Events

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:27): Since I was last able to make a contribution, two of the major annual events of the school year have taken place. The first is the South Australian Public Primary Schools' Music Society's series of concerts, held at the Festival Centre each evening from Tuesday 8 September to Friday 18 September, with two matinees. So, in all there were 12 concerts. My calculation is that around 218 schools participated, after an audition process, with orchestras and dance troupes (one from the north and one from the south, so four altogether), along with six assisting artists (either an individual or an ensemble) at each concert, so that is an extra 72 amazing performances showcased.

This year's concerts featured, along with several set pieces learned by all students, a performance called Remembrance, using songs by Eric Bogle, Asaf and Powell, Ford and Novello, Buchanan and Porter and the very moving Anzac Biscuits composed by South Australia's very own John Schumann. I think every student developed a special and new insight into World War I from their participation, as I am sure did every parent. I was privileged to attend several concerts to support my local schools and enjoyed all of them.

I congratulate everybody involved, each school's choir leader, accompanist and their principal. I would also like to commend the South Australian Public Primary Schools' Music Society executive and festival team, and the many people involved in each of the concerts who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the education department's instrumental music branch for their invaluable work and support of music in public schools. Access to music is imperative, particularly in schools where music is not a special focus, and I hope the instrumental music branch will always be available in the way they are now well into the future.

The second event was the fourth and final round race in this year's 30th Australian International Pedal Prix human powered vehicle series, the 24-hour race, the marathon, in the rural city of Murray Bridge. Along with the member for Hammond, who was in attendance, I congratulate Murray Bridge for providing such a wonderful venue. Thousands of people are involved in the Pedal Prix and congratulations go to Mr Andrew McLaughlin, his board and the army of volunteers who make this such a wonderful event. Sponsors are of course very important to such an event. There is a strong partnership with UniSA and all their other sponsors who make this event possible and the major success that it is.

There are four categories in the race. Each of the vehicles and teams have varying capacities and each vehicle has a support network comprising things such as fitness, nutrition, construction, IT and many other aspects. I remain in awe of my local schools in particular for their efforts and commitment to Pedal Prix. Blessed with wonderful weather this year, the river, with houseboats lined up along the banks, and the course were an absolute picture. The Formula One treasure Glen Dix was on hand to wave off the 225 riders. Bar a few hiccups and a medical incident at the event, it was a great day for all.

I am particularly proud to inform the house that category 1 was won by East Para Primary School: the little school that could in fact did. It won the whole category with the help of a wonderful group of riders and supporters under the leadership of principal Bob Greaves. It was a very tight series of races, with Highgate Primary leading or threatening to take back the lead almost to the very end, but East Para triumphed by two laps, completing 311 laps in all. While not the fastest school, it was the most consistent, and the competitors of the Crank Crew deserve the crown they won.

Ardtornish School's Ard-Rocket II was 31st of the 57 teams in a very commendable performance. In category 2, Modbury High Lynx was sixth overall with The Heights School's Pulsar and Quasar 52nd and 63rd respectively. Category 3 saw the participation of Endeavour College, a new school to come under my notice. Students from Good Shepherd Lutheran School, which is attended by the Minister for Health's children, go on to Endeavour College and they can participate in Pedal Prix and finished 24th. St Paul's College (the COGS team) were 32nd of the 53 competitors and Modbury High's girls team, Pink Panther, was 42nd, and Cheetah was 45th, with The Heights Odyssey at 52nd.

Category 4 was the open category. Fast Cats Racing team's four vehicles were well placed in the 52-car field, with The Heights School Thor 49th. Just to give you an idea of how fast the human-powered vehicles can go, sir, Aurora Racing did 462 laps in all, with the fastest lap two minutes and 24 seconds. There are other special awards in Pedal Prix, and Modbury High won the Bill Scanlon Innovation Award. All in all, it was a very successful series—the 30th, as I said—and I urge all members to take part in Pedal Prix next year.

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