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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-06-14 Daily Xml
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Grievance Debate

Chaffey Electorate

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:09): I would like to talk about a couple of great events that happened in Chaffey in recent weeks. Illuminate Adelaide, the In Depth series at Renmark, what a great showstopper it was. The In Depth lightshow is a multimedia event on the banks of the River Murray in Renmark. Through the collaboration of Illuminate Adelaide, the Tourism Commission and the former Liberal government, the lightshow transforms the river into a storytelling experience. I was joined by the cofounders, Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge, both very passionate, as well as the lead artist, Craig Walsh. Together with local artists and members of the community, it tells the story of the region's history, culture and unique environment.

Over the last 30 years, Australian artist Craig Walsh has become widely known internationally for his pioneering approaches to site-responsive installations, sculpture and projection mapping in unconventional locations. He is renowned for his site interventions at live events, including iconic works at music and cultural festivals across Australia and internationally, no more important than that on the banks of the River Murray with its unique ecosystem biodiversity and the rich Ngarrindjeri history of the Riverland and Mallee.

I would also like to give a shout-out to SATC CEO Rod Harrex and the chair, Andrew Bullock, whom I met at the Illuminate showcase. I also travelled to Murtho to have a look at one of the great investments in local tourism in Chaffey—a houseboat that has been built by the Murray River Trails crew—and Erin was our host. We had a look at High River, great accommodation floating on the banks of the River Murray and a great addition to our tourism.

I would also like to talk about two extraordinary Riverlanders who were both awarded Order of Australia medals over the long weekend. Nancy Murdock is a hardworking, esteemed member of the Riverland community who has been an active participant in many roles across the region. She is also a survivor of three separate cancer diagnoses: breast, kidney and bowel. Her diagnoses have not weighed her down and her story has become one of hope in our region.

Nancy has been a volunteer with the Cancer Council for more than a decade, raising many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Her ongoing volunteer fundraising work, and the sharing of her own survival story, has led to her being recognised by the American Cancer Society, which named her as one of its 2018 Global Heroes of Hope. She is the only South Australian to receive that award.

In addition to winning local awards, such as the 2018 Berri Barmera Council Citizen of the Year, she was also awarded the Seniors Card Community Individual Award in 2015 at the South Australian Regional Awards, further recognising her determined work for the local community. She has been a long-time volunteer for the deacon at the Berri Church of Christ. We commend Nancy for her great work. She is an outstanding role model in the Riverland.

I would also like to commend Sydney Villis. The member for Hartley is not here, but recently he and I both visited Sydney. He is another special Riverland local. Mr Sydney Villis was awarded the OAM for service to emergency response organisations. Syd, as he is affectionately known, is now 98 years old. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Barmera nursing home with the then Minister for Emergency Services, the member for Hartley. It was great to meet him and congratulate him on his 60 years of service in the Riverland.

Over his 60 years of dedicated service to the Riverland local community, Syd held important positions, including captain and radio controller at the Moorook brigade of the Country Fire Service. He was a foundation member in 1960 and received a national medal in 1986. We would like to thank Nancy and Syd for their commitment not only to the region but to humanity, whether it is volunteering at the CFS or volunteering for cancer. They are great South Australians who are very proud to say that they live in the Riverland and support Riverland day-to-day life.

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