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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-03-01 Daily Xml
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Clement, Ms T.

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:29): Today, I rise to pay tribute to a dedicated, passionate South Australian who was a well-known, valued and loved community member within my local area (the electorate of Elder) and beyond. I speak with deepest respect about Tricia Clement who, sadly and unexpectedly, passed away late last year on 23 November. Tricia was an enthusiastic supporter and attendee of the Active Elders Association, a club bringing senior citizens together in friendship and companionship in the heart of my electorate. Tricia also attended many, if not all, of the club's special days and enjoyed the homestyle-cooked meals on many occasions.

With her vision for community, Tricia initiated and implemented the interschool bowling competitions with Ascot Park and Marion primary schools. She attended them all and was thrilled with the interaction between the seniors and the children. She also encouraged olden-day games days between the two groups. Tricia loved Active Elders Australia Day celebrations, and one year was awarded the Active Elders Australia Day award. This, I am told, she apparently accepted with great delight and wore the cardboard medal all day with great gusto.

Tricia was a member of the executive of the Council of the Aged in South Australia and assisted, volunteered and helped in aged care and social clubs. She was also a committed supporter of Riding for the Disabled organisation, helping them and others with obtaining grants and fundraising for them. Tricia used her experience and expertise gained from volunteering at COTA to help numerous groups acquire many grants, especially the Active Elders Association for senior citizens.

Tricia was always welcomed into my office, and she was a breath of fresh air and kept me across what she was involved in as she assisted others in obtaining grants, which I was only too happy to support. Together with her partner in crime, Jan, the Treasurer of Active Elders, they were a formidable and successful force. Recently, the City of Marion honoured Tricia's life with a moving and reflective memorial service, and I read from Jan Hedger's tribute when she reflected on Tricia's life and their friendship. Jan said:

I first became involved with Tricia when I was struggling with a grant and in desperation rang COTA [South Australia] and asked for someone to help me and COTA put me in touch with their volunteer for our area, being Tricia.

Our first introduction to working on a grant together was when she came to my home and we worked furiously until midnight. We found we were very much on the same wavelength and worked well together bouncing words and titles off one another. Many giggles and belly laughs ensued when trying to give the grant a name. For example in the case of a grant we received from the City of Marion for Wii video game consoles for Active Elders, we wickedly came up with the title 'Teaching Seniors to Wii'. Anyway, we received a grant, [and] I am not sure if it was the name or the content that got us through.

Tricia worked tirelessly with Jan for 2½ years when, on behalf of Active Elders, they applied to the Marion council for a grant to extend the kitchen and hall. The pair were required to apply for three grants and to contend with the associated reams of paperwork from the council. Jan tells me that while at times she was ready to give up, Tricia never was and never considered this as an option. Instead, she persisted and inspired Jan to continue and persevere. Tricia and Jan's persistence won the day, and Active Elders gained a beautiful and spacious new kitchen and expanded hall.

Tricia was fundamental to the applications and presentations that resulted in the Active Elders senior citizens winning the COTA SA Every Generation awards—not once, but twice—an amazing achievement. Tricia also encouraged Active Elders to become involved with the City of Marion over-50s forum, and she was also instrumental in establishing the justice of the peace forum and community dinner that is now in its eighth year. To close, I quote Jan again with her heartfelt words as she spoke at the memorial service, acknowledging Tricia's valuable contribution to making South Australia a better place. She said: 'Active Elders and especially myself will miss her greatly. Much love from myself and Active Elders.' Vale, Tricia Clement.

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