HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-08-29 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

Volunteers

Mrs PEARCE (King) (15:31): I rise to acknowledge the vital role volunteers play in my local community. When I am asked about why I became involved in politics, I often reflect on my childhood and the experiences I have had over the years, experiences that have taught me that when someone falls on hard times it is more often than not the community that is there to provide support and empower.

We as lawmakers must listen to these experiences to better understand what needs to be done to support where possible and to prevent people from falling on tough times, as well as what can be done to help foster and encourage strong communities. When we think about how a community achieves such positive change, it is through those who give up their time to volunteer. They give strength to the community, bind it together and provide a helping hand to those who may need it, making it a place where we look out for one another.

They work tirelessly to help build the communities we love and cherish and often do their work without recognition. We all know too well that without them we would lose what makes our beloved community feel like home. It has indeed been a privilege to meet the many local volunteers who make up my electorate of King. I can wholeheartedly say that their contributions are welcomed and appreciated throughout the entire community. Our beloved volunteers dedicate their time to giving back to the community in many ways.

There are, of course, those who help out at the Modbury Meals on Wheels kitchen, serving up and delivering delicious food. Through their work, they are supporting the independence of those who wish to remain at home for as long as they possibly can. We have outstanding parents and friends groups, as well as governing councils, who work hard to ensure our students have the best possible opportunities to thrive throughout their education. It was an absolute delight to catch up with the Greenwith governing council recently to discuss just that.

Where would we be without the dedicated community members who get up early on the weekends to ensure that their local sporting club can get out on the field, the court, the track, helping to foster community spirit and supporting the wellbeing of an individual? In fact, the education minister and I took up an offer to help a local legend, Steven, cover a shift at the Golden Grove Football Club to assist the under 13s girls' team. Steven had been there all day and was doing what he could to support an amazing initiative, that being supporting girls in sport. The minister also did a fantastic job of making the gravy.

I particularly love how those in our community manage to utilise their available resources and then invest them back into their community for the further benefit of all. Take, for example, the Modbury Golden Grove Rotary Club. Just last week, they volunteered to cater a barbecue for a basketball carnival organised by Golden Grove High School's disability unit. It was organised by an incredible SSO, Jayden, who has a strong passion for inclusivity and who wanted to organise a special event for the students of not only Golden Grove High School but also Modbury, Parafield Gardens, Salisbury High, Gawler and District, among others.

Through giving their time and sharing their barbecue, Rotary was able to feed the many boys and girls, their parents, the teachers and the SSOs who had been having absolutely the best time over the period of Thursday and Friday. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to get out there and lend them a hand.

Volunteers in my community are united through the shared desire to give back and hold no expectation of receiving anything in return—volunteers like the incredible Alison, who volunteers with Centrecare at King's Baptist. She has been volunteering there for nine years, providing both food assistance and assistance with utility bills for those who have been doing it tough.

When I asked her why she volunteers, she shared with me that it was some time ago that her family was in need. She understands how hard it can be to keep on top of things when things become difficult, often through no fault of their own, and she understands how hard it can be to get back into control. But Alison did, thanks to the help from her community, and now she is returning the favour and helping others where she can.

With that, I would like to thank everyone who volunteers, but especially the many wonderful volunteers in my local electorate of King. To everybody out there who may be on the fence about whether or not they should get involved and volunteer for a local organisation, I implore you to do so. Give it a go. I promise you, you will benefit from the experience just as much as others will benefit from the service you provide. There is no feeling like providing a helping hand, and if we all chip in we can truly make our community better together.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT