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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-12-02 Daily Xml
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Napier Electorate

Mr GEE (Napier) (15:41): Today I rise to speak about a number of people who have made significant contributions to our northern community; firstly, two of our dedicated school principals, Ms Lynne Symons and Mr Mark Taylor. Ms Lynne Symons was appointed principal of Mark Oliphant College in 2008 following 10 years as principal of Ocean View College in Taperoo. Lynne worked to design the new school and set up the model of education. She started running the school across two sites until the students and staff moved into the new state-of-the-art college in term 2 of 2011.

Lynne has seen the school grow, from around 700 students to over 1,600 students. Over the past five years, Lynne has been a strong leader for this tough and diverse school where students face many challenges. She has driven excellence for students and staff and increased the SACE completion rate, from less than 30 per cent to 100 per cent this year—a great achievement.

Lynne and her dedicated team have worked hard to ensure that students receive the best education and support through extracurricular activities, innovative teaching and taking a firm but fair approach. Lynne is moving on at the end of this year and will be sorely missed, as she is an excellent principal. Lynne is not considering retirement but is going to further her skills to mentor other principals and continue to ensure that students across the north get the best chance to excel.

Mark Taylor has been principal of Playford Primary School since 2004, having spent time at five rural schools, including Bordertown, where he was pleased to host former prime minister Bob Hawke. Playford Primary School is a unique school, as it shares the library, hall, an oval and playground with the Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School. Playford Primary School has grown, from 300 students in 2004, to 745 today. Mark has fought hard to get new koala crossings outside the school and has always ensured that the students and staff receive opportunities to excel and that their achievements are celebrated.

Mark has been a big supporter of sports and has encouraged students to get involved with science, maths, English and computing competitions. He has also strongly supported commemorations of ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day in conjunction with Catherine McAuley. Mark will be missed by the community when he finishes as principal at the end of this year. Mark, like Lynne, is not retiring but will continue to work in education next year.

I will now talk about two hardworking women at Northern Connections, Lea Stevens and Bev O'Brien. The Hon. Lea Stevens is retiring from public life this year after 40 years' service to the community as a teacher, principal, member of parliament, health minister, director of Northern Connections and many other roles. Lea was appointed in 1989 as the principal of Elizabeth West High School and transformed it into Elizabeth West Adult Campus, which is now Northern Adelaide Senior College. She pioneered adult education in South Australia and went on to serve in parliament for 17 years, including nearly four years as health minister. In 2011, she was appointed as director of Northern Connections and continued to serve the north.

Dr Bev O'Brien has worked at Northern Connections for the past six years and she has been chair of the Para West Adult Campus and now the Northern Adelaide Senior College Governing Council. Dr Bev O'Brien and principal Colleen Abbott have both been crucial in the negotiations to relocate the college and the other challenges it has faced over the past few years. Bev is moving to a role with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. I thank Lynne, Mark, Lea and Bev for their contribution to my community and wish them all well for the future. I also thank all the principals and teachers who work hard every day for the students in my community.

I now wish to recognise the huge contribution that Marge Rogers has made to the northern community through her work at the Northern Domestic Violence Service. Marge started with the service in 1985, when she assumed duties as a relief and weekend worker. She has since become manager of the service and an invaluable leader in women's and children's safety services. Marge is a key driver of community initiatives in which the service participates. She has been instrumental in building the fundraising base for the service.

Marge is very focused on developing strong relationships with third-party providers for the benefit of the NDVS. Marge's name was last night added to the South Australian Women's Honour Roll for her work with the NDVS in supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. I sincerely congratulate her on this achievement and thank her for the work she has done and continues to do for the women and children across the north.

I want to thank everyone involved with the Playford Alive Community Reference Group, Renewal SA and the City of Playford, who worked hard to stage the recent Playford Alive Community Fun Day in the new Playford Alive Town Park. Over 5,000 people enjoyed music, food and activities. Lastly, I congratulate the recipients of the 2015 Playford Alive Initiatives Fund grants: the Davoren Park Youth and Community Club, Para Worklinks and the Northern Communities of Hope Church.

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