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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-15 Daily Xml
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Rotary Clubs

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:13): On 24 August 1923, the first Rotary meeting in Adelaide was held, with this year marking 100 years of service to the South Australian community. Rotary clubs across South Australia have a proud history of doing good work in communities locally and internationally. The centenary is a unique opportunity for South Australians to acknowledge the fantastic work that members of Rotary clubs do every day, working together to create a better place for our community and the world through purpose, fellowship and fun.

A special lunch will celebrate the people of the Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs who have made up the rich and diverse tapestry of Rotary in South Australia and the current District 9510. Guests will include district governors and Rotary members past and present from around Australia and the world. The luncheon will be held a hundred years to the day from when the first Rotary Club in South Australia was officially chartered by Rotary International on 4 February 1924 in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval.

On a more local level, my own Rotary Club of Salisbury celebrated their 60th anniversary at the Salisbury Community Hub on 5 November. August saw the 10th anniversary of the Salisbury City Rotaract Club, with 40 people attending and celebrating at the Salisbury Hotel. The combined projects of these two outstanding local service organisations are incredibly extensive. Their projects include but are not limited to:

the Goodall Youth Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to families to assist with the transition from primary to secondary school, for items like uniforms, laptops and school excursions;

the Rotary Cobbler Creek reserve project in collaboration with the Friends of Cobbler Creek, which has seen thousands of trees and shrubs planted, as well as the building of a shelter with tables and seating for walkers to take a break with a view;

holding the largest business networking breakfast in the Adelaide metropolitan area each month, with powerful guest speakers and fantastic networking opportunities—I have attended many of these events, and business owners from all over South Australia come and attend; and

a sewing circle and Backpacks 4 SA Kids, with a total donation of 7,191 toiletry bags, pencil cases, small toy bags and Christmas bags.

The Salisbury City Rotaract Club also works with the Parafield Gardens Community Club to host a Christmas Day lunch for those who may not have one to go to on that special day. Not only is the lunch fully catered, but every child attending receives a present. Rotaract also participate in STEPtember, donate first-aid supplies and backpacks to those experiencing homelessness, support the Northern Domestic Violence Service, and collaborate, fundraise, capacity-build and network to improve the skills and experiences of their members.

Salisbury Rotaract pride themselves on inclusivity and diversity. Their motto is 'Come As You Are & Give What You Can!' They raise funds through traditional service models like the classic sausage sizzles and also via the op shop located in Anderson Drive at Parafield Airport, the AllSorts Shop. The AllSorts Shop, in particular, is a wonder due to the incredible community connections and a volunteer team who frequently collect estate furniture and other donations. The shop provides an extraordinary range of quality furniture, whitegoods and homewares at an affordable price. Every cent raised by Rotary for charity goes back into charitable projects locally, nationally and overseas.

I am incredibly proud to be an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Salisbury. As many in this place will understand, I have a long history of Rotary involvement, including being an international exchange student in 1991. My father was also a past president of the Kapunda club and is currently involved in the Probus Club of Salisbury, being a former president of the Probus Club, and is now in charge of outings which keeps him very busy. My experience being an international student was life changing. I do not think that I would have left my country town after going overseas to go to university, and I certainly would not be a politician, let alone a minister, had I not had that experience of seeing the world at such a young age.

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