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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-02 Daily Xml
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Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta) (15:40): As my time in this chamber draws to a close I am pleased to have the opportunity, in sessions such as this, to say thank you for some of the extraordinary work that is done in my community of Morialta. The group I would like to highlight today is the Greek Orthodox Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene at Athelstone.

Father Efthymios Efthymiou became the parish priest just before I became the local member for Morialta, and he and all of the committee and volunteers, and all of those who have served our community through the Greek Orthodox Parish of the Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene have done a terrific job over that time.

Every year we appreciate the parish feast day held on the first Tuesday after Easter Sunday; 22 April this year. Scott Kennedy, the Liberal candidate, and I very much enjoyed that. The open day, the Greek Festival, was just the weekend before last and, of course, the souvlaki, the loukoumades, the baklava were exceptional. My kids love all of those, and will continue to in the years ahead.

To all of those people involved in the volunteer work who contribute to the broader community and, of course, particularly Father Efthymiou, who nurtures the faith of the congregants in the parish, I am very appreciative. I also highlight all of those who donated so much money, support and labour to give the church the beautiful Byzantine style it has now. It is a real landmark in our electorate and much appreciated by the community. Thank you to all of you.

Mr DIGHTON (Black) (15:42): Last Tuesday I attended the Kauwi-marnirla Field River Conservation Park open day and volunteering event. The event was organised by National Parks and Wildlife, Green Adelaide and the Kaurna Firesticks team. It was very well attended; in fact, it was at capacity for the day. It was fantastic to see so many members of our community attend the day to learn more about the newest conservation park in our area.

The volunteers on the day learnt more about the park, its significance and the work that has already occurred to restore and rehabilitate this unique place. It was the rehabilitation of the park that formed the main activity of the day and, in particular, the removal of olive trees. The Kaurna Firesticks team demonstrated how to remove olive trees in a manner that does not involve the use of poison or chemicals, and hence that is better for the environment and its long-term restoration. I appreciated the opportunity to practise this olive tree method, although my back is still very sore from it (perhaps demonstrating my lack of gardening experience).

Thanks to Rayne Simpson and the Kaurna Firesticks team for their olive tree removal demonstration, sharing a little bit about the cultural significance of the Field River for Aboriginal people. Through the work of the Firesticks team, Green Adelaide, National Parks and Wildlife and community volunteers, and the $13 million from the Malinauskas government for this park, it will become a significant and special place for all people, especially those in my community who live next to it.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:44): I rise to pay tribute to Operation Drought Relief, that was started in 2018 to transport hay from one side of the country to another. On Friday the Rapid Relief Team rolled into Paruna with much grandiosity and bravado, with trucks and road trains. They transported 1,070 big bales of vetch hay, which was much appreciated by the Mallee farmers. On the Friday morning I was there at 6am to meet Rod Martin, the national Director of the Rapid Relief Team. He brought the great gesture that they do when they roll into town: they bring breakfast, they bring good coffee and they bring the farmers out for a conversation.

In the Mallee, particularly at Paruna, it has been very dry this year. They have been experiencing some of the worst drought conditions on living record. What it did show me was that a number of farmers who had come out on that day had not been outside of their homes for a couple of weeks, waiting for it to rain. The wind had been blowing and it had created a huge amount of damage. It just gave a great opportunity to bring farmers out to grab the hay and also have that conversation.

I want to thank the Rapid Relief Team volunteers for their hard work and dedication. It is a Christian philanthropic organisation and they do a great job. They come to town, they are self-sufficient and everything is in trucks on skids. I want to thank them on behalf of my farming community for the hay that they have dropped off and for giving those farmers some level of hope for the really trying situation that we are currently facing.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:45): Last Wednesday I had the good fortune to attend the Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Society's official unveiling of the Angas Gates at the entrance of the Clare Showground. The gates are an enduring tribute to the Angas family, whose donation of land in 1890 laid the foundations for the society and its cherished show. The gates were opened in the presence of Angas descendants Catriona, Hamish, Charles and Janet. It was a reminder of the legacy of generosity and vision that continues to shape Clare's history.

The Clare Show is owned and run entirely by its members and volunteers, and the making of the Angas Gates is an example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and heart. The gates project started when former president Frank Nicholls sourced a set of gates to kickstart the project that had long been on the agenda of the show society, with Steve Sanders given the gates as he continued sourcing support.

There were a number of contributions made to the building and installation of these gates. In total, over $10,000 worth of donations were received to make the gates possible. They included Steve Sanders' son, Joel, who is a skilled boilermaker; Darren Scott, a local shed builder; and a sandblaster from Blyth. Ray Fabian, a newcomer to Clare, and his team donated a full day to prepare and pour the concrete foundations. Clare Quarries made a contribution, as did Mintaro Slate. Wade Hogg constructed the fence rails, and Exact Cut donated the Angas metal signage. This is an example of community coming together for the benefit of the community.

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