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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-17 Daily Xml
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Remembrance Day

Ms PRATT (Frome) (15:19): I rise to recognise that Remembrance Day has recently been observed and wish to pay tribute to those who fought and sacrificed their lives to keep us free. I choose today to reflect on some anecdotes from within the electorate of Frome, in honour of our service men and women.

In Burra earlier in the year, back in March, the Centenary of the Fallen Soldiers Memorial by the Burra RSL sub-branch and local community welcomed the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC, who officiated. It was a proud day, when we reflected on the 12-metre high cenotaph which was first unveiled by Prime Minister Billy Hughes on 29 March 1922 and which still stands proudly in the Burra market square. I acknowledge and congratulate the outgoing president, Mike Pinkerton, and the members of that branch on organising such a wonderful occasion.

In the smaller township of Mallala, their iconic World War I monument turned 100 years old in October, and a commemorative remembrance ceremony was held to celebrate that milestone. The monument was officially unveiled on 15 October 1922, and features the names of 10 local men who died in service or who were killed in action during the war. Congratulations to the volunteers from the Mallala Museum, the Mallala Lions Club and the Mallala RSL, who all contributed to marking the occasion.

In Spalding, a piece of World War II history now lies in honour in a dedicated shelter for generations to come, after a new, fully enclosed shelter was officially opened on Sunday 6 November. A small group of Spalding volunteers have worked together since 2016 to restore and then shelter a 25-pound field cannon before the town lost its last World War II veteran, James Cadzow. The team, led by Kevin Fitzgerald, disassembled the cannon, painted it and put it back together again before the shelter roof was built.

The following year, with the help of a grant from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, that project was completed. Sadly, Mr Cadzow passed away before the shelter was built, but that did not stop the volunteer committee from continuing on with the project. They undertook a hugely successful 'buy a brick' campaign, and I was very proud, ahead of Remembrance Day, to attend a service and make my own address in recognition of our fallen men and women.

On Remembrance Day, I attended the service in Kapunda, and we all bore witness to a quite remarkable and heartfelt speech written by Ross Vogt, a nonagenarian, and delivered by his son. It was quite something to hear from a man who, during the World War II years, had tried to enlist but, being recognised as an essential worker, a farmer, was directed back to the property. We know that when our men—and women, but mostly men—signed up, enlisted, and went off to war, for those who remained behind there was often guilt and stigma.

I also want to thank all the friends I have in the electorate of Frome who volunteered to be my representative at services. I specifically want to mention Lynne Sutton attending Balaklava, Jenny Loftes in Burra, Mary Morris in Eudunda, Richard Daley for the Jamestown RSL at Hallett, Mark Hill at Tarlee, Leone Moore in Watervale, Ian O'Loan attending at Mallala, and Denis Hart attending the Two Wells service.

In closing, I reflect on an opportunity I had recently to attend the launch of the Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo, where I was introduced to the Veterans Connect and Wellbeing Program run by the Catalyst Foundation. It is a program that assists those navigating the complex system of veteran services. In making that reference, I note the tragic passing of former army medic and Crows AFLW premiership player Heather Anderson. Her loss is deeply felt by her family and by the veteran community, and I would like to remind the house of the Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036.

On a final floral note, I wish to thank the Clare Valley florist and Two Wells florist for providing the beautiful wreaths that were laid across the electorate of Frome. Our friendly local florists are there for us at the best and worst of occasions and without them we would be bereft of a way of expressing our feelings of love and compassion.

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