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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-03-09 Daily Xml
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Goyder Electorate

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (15:20): I wish to take the opportunity to talk about two important events that occurred in the Goyder electorate on 27 February. The first one is a Two Wells RSL function. I will reflect upon the fact that the member for Taylor, the minister, is a very keen supporter of the Two Wells RSL. Unfortunately, she was unable to be there that day, but I know that she was there in spirit.

It was an important day because of the rededication of the World War I memorial and also the dedication of memorial stones honouring the lives, service and sacrifices of the 48 Australians who lost their lives in the Middle East conflicts from 2001 to 2015. It was a very sobering day. The member for Taylor and I have contributed to an aspect of the memorial, and I was provided with the opportunity, on behalf of both of us, to stand next to the memorial for Private Nathan Bewes.

The Hon. L.A. Vlahos interjecting:

Mr GRIFFITHS: Yes, and it was. It was an outstanding evening. Unfortunately, I could only be there for about an hour and a half, but there were probably close to 400 people in attendance. The memorial area itself is absolutely magnificent. I think the Two Wells community can be very proud of what RSL members from across that region have developed, and it is more than just the local community; it is people from across that region who have done it. It is an outstanding effort that they have worked towards for probably a good five years now. It has not been universally supported by all from around the place, but they made some decisions, created some actions, and it is an area that they can be proud of.

State RSL was significantly represented at the function in emceeing it and saying some very fine words about the sacrifice of Australians in conflicts. I found it to be an emotional experience and certainly appreciated the opportunity to be there, and I know the member for Taylor also wishes that she had the opportunity to be there.

I congratulate, as part of that, one particular person—and there are many who contributed towards it—Mr Tony Flaherty OAM, who only two days after the event was also elected as Mayor of the Mallala council. This is the second time in recent years that he has tried for the popular vote to be elected as mayor. There were only three or four votes in it last time; it was relatively close. He has been elected to replace Mr Duncan Kennington, who retired because of ill health matters in October last year. Councillor Marcus Strudwicke was another candidate for the election, and he is a good man also. The community will be exceptionally well led, I believe.

The second function that I had an opportunity to attend that day was a comedy night. It is important that we all laugh, but this was a comedy night to raise funds for the Pinery fire victims. The event itself is held on a regular basis at Mallala and the funds raised for it are normally for Relay For Life events. Mrs Trish Konzag and a vast number of supporting people put together not just a relay team but raise a lot of dollars each year.

Mr Anthony Lamond, who is a comedian from the Adelaide Plains area, has been the coordinator of the comedians who attend and keep us entertained. I must say, he did a great job again. I think the first comedian, Micky D, went for probably 50 minutes, and it was fantastic; I am pretty boring, but he was fantastic.

They had a series of auctions afterwards. Importantly, the evening was not only an uplifting experience, but they also raised $17,000, and it is all going towards Pinery fire victims—just from the one event. That is an example of events that are occurring all across the Pinery fire ground area on a regular basis. One of my staff attended a quiz night at Owen last week, so it continues to occur.

There was a significant day at Long Plains in December which raised $100,000, all because the community needs to support those who have suffered. It empowers us, it gives us faith in the fact that no matter what the challenges presented to us there are good people around us who recognise that and want to be involved. At the comedy night, as part of the auction, a lot of people who bought things were those who have suffered. I know that with one family two generations have lost their home, but they were still there and still had a smile on their face when they are dealing with the psychological impacts of this, but it was an impressive one.

Mr Vince Monterola, who is the fire recovery coordinator, keeps me advised regularly on things that have been occurring. There has been a series of barbecues to help with men's health issues and they have had 250 people attend. There is an ongoing program to assist those who are suffering from challenges as a result of dealing with impacts of the fire, but it goes to show that no matter what level is involved in it, there is a continued level of support for the victims of the Pinery fire.

Time expired.

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