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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-06-02 Daily Xml
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Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel) (16:08): Members, I wish to acknowledge and raise in the house the 50th anniversary of the Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild. The guild preserves and teaches traditional handicrafts and keeps alive small industries of immense significance. Members of the guild work with wool and alpaca fleece, silk, cotton, mohair and angora. They produce knitted, woven, felted and crocheted items including scarves, bags, hats, rugs and blankets.

It was a privilege to be present at the Littlehampton Peace Memorial Hall to commemorate the guild's important anniversary with guild president, Gaye Becis, and many other guild members. I wish to record in this place that a 50th anniversary blanket has been produced, principally with beautiful natural fibres and with an Australian theme. Many guild members worked on the blanket, though I understand it is appropriate to acknowledge in particular Ms Sandy Soul, whose passion and commitment to her craft ensured that the project was initiated and seen through to completion.

As members of this house will know, the Adelaide Hills Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild is one of several groups around South Australia that are affiliated with the Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild of South Australia. While many guild members have been attending the guild for years, there are several new members, including an increased number of men. Of course, COVID has had its impact on guild meetings. I know that guild members are very pleased to be able to return and meet together.

May I add, on this special occasion, the names of the committee of the Adelaide Hills guild so that in time, perhaps in another 50 years, members may reflect on this record: Gaye Becis, president; Pam Stringer, vice-president; Linda Gowing, secretary; Elizabeth Robertson, treasurer; Samantha Lane, librarian; Moro Nossar, the workshop coordinator; Adele Pring, editor; Colin Colquhoun, equipment coordinator; Claire Hutchesson, the fibre and dye buyer; and Lorraine Nicolle, the trading table operator. I acknowledge, too, all other members of the guild.

As I remarked at the Littlehampton Peace Memorial Hall, traditional handicrafts are deeply valuable to our community and our state. They form part of our cultural heritage. Before the Industrial Revolution, these skills were essential to the manufacture of clothing and textiles. In the new colony of South Australia and in the Adelaide Hills, these skills were and are highly prized.

As I said at another time, with no less feeling, I have been honoured to form friendships with members of the guild and remain inspired by their energy and creativity. I thank them for their work, which is essential to preserving and celebrating traditional and valuable craft skills in my community for the benefit of our state.

I also take this opportunity to remark on significant budget commitments to my community. We have secured a number of important investments for the Hills including:

$127 million over four years for the Mount Barker hospital from total project costs of $220 million. As I understand it, a decision must first be made to build on the existing site or to choose a new site. I am still frustrated that the former government never committed to this project in the campaign or at any earlier time, with the result that a lot of planning work needs to go into this project now;

$150 million for an Adelaide Hills road safety package;

$75 million for the Freeway Managed Motorway Project stage 2;

$12 million for freeway safety upgrades;

$29.4 million over four years to improve transport to Mount Barker and the Hills, including $12 million to establish a new dedicated express service fleet and depot;

$500,000 for the government's promised Mount Barker transport study; and

funds to rebuild and expand the Mount Barker ambulance station. Site costs are to be determined from statewide package costs.

As well, the new government has agreed to fund other programs important to the Hills, including:

$2 million over four years for farm firefighting unit grants;

$975,000 for electronic monitoring of arsonists using e-tags;

$250,000 to investigate night firefighting technology. This is particularly valuable in very steep terrain in the Hills;

$3.1 million over three years for a biodiversity unit, including to help bring back birdlife to the Mount Lofty Ranges;

$1 million over four years for government notices in regional newspapers. This is particularly significant in my community;

$1.4 million to ensure the continued operation of the Overland train service—part of our railway heritage; and

$28.8 million for autism support in schools.

I have also been strongly arguing for free 24/7 travel for seniors on public transport and this has been funded in the budget at a cost of $5.2 million. Overall, there is a very substantial investment being made in my community and I am very pleased that that investment has been made.


At 16:13 the house adjourned until Tuesday 14 June 2022 at 11:00.



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