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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-03-08 Daily Xml
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Palmer, Mr G.

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:17): I rise today to honour and remember the life of long-time West Beach local, Garth Palmer, who sadly passed away on Sunday 26 February, aged 81. Garth was a legend, an upstanding legend of my community, and we are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He held the positions of Deputy Mayor and Acting Mayor of the City of West Torrens on several occasions and served on council as a councillor for the Airport Ward from the early 1980s through to 2014—well over 30 years of service to our area and the local council.

Beyond council, Garth also held many positions of leadership within the community. Garth led the establishment of the Airport Over 50s Club in Fulham and the West Torrens council rightfully recognised his contributions at the Over 50s Club by naming the building on Coral Sea Road, where the club is located, the Garth Palmer Hall last year.

He was a board member at Adelaide Shores. He was very involved with the West Beach Neighbourhood Watch, delivering newsletters, giving residents an insight into council decisions and being the go-to man for residents' complaints and advice. He was involved with the governing council of the West Beach Primary School and was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Kidman Park.

Garth had also been a volunteer director for the Community Bank, West Beach, since 2017 and was always a keen participant at the community events that they sponsored over the years. Garth's determination to improve our local area was recognised at the opening of the Apex Park redevelopment in 2019. The park was just one of his many passions, and his legacy will live on, as residents and visitors enjoy the wonderful facilities created at Apex Park.

Serving in the Airport Ward alongside Garth for over 25 years was Rosalie Haese, who I spoke to today to gather her thoughts on Garth's legacy. Rosalie spoke fondly of the support he provided to her to establish the Fulham Community Centre and to secure the redevelopment of Lockleys Oval. As Rosalie put it, and I quote, 'Garth was totally committed to our community but, importantly, always totally committed to his family.' He was the loved husband of Carolyn, the loved father and father-in-law of Mathew, Kate, Megan and Joe, the loved pop of Emily, James, RJ and Ryder.

Tomorrow the family and, I imagine, many friends of Garth will assemble for his funeral service at St Peter's Anglican Church in Glenelg. Personally, I will miss him. I always appreciated his sound advice, wisdom and guidance over the years. Garth was a very busy man even in retirement, and he will be sadly missed by our entire community. Vale Garth Palmer.

I also rise today to wish congratulations and good luck to Harry Neilson, Spencer Johnston, Daniel Drew and Kelvin Smith—young, local cricketers from our local club, West Torrens District Cricket Club, based at Henley Memorial Oval. All four players have been named in the South Australia's 13 for the Marsh Cup final against WA, starting a little later this afternoon.

It is the first time in my memory—although I know Denis Brien will correct me—that we have four West Torrens players in the South Australian 13. It is certainly the most by a long way in recent memory. It does say a lot about the club's junior program when each and every one of those players came through it. If you are a budding young cricketer, take notice of the club's junior trials for next season, as it could be you competing for South Australia and out there at the Marsh Cup final.

I had the opportunity to see and catch up with a number of members, very importantly the non-playing members, at the Golden Eagle luncheon that was held last weekend at the oval. Unfortunately, it was not quite the result we were looking for on that day, but I wish the West Torrens cricket club the best of luck for the remainder of their season and look forward to catching up with them very soon.

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