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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-15 Daily Xml
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AUSTRALIA DAY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:40): Over many years, in particular, on Australia Day, it has been a great pleasure to join the mayors of Campbelltown (more recently, Mayor Simon Brewer), elected councillors and CEO Paul Di Iulio of the Campbelltown City Council, in welcoming the city's newest citizens. I am pleased to attend as an MP, but I am also particularly pleased to be there because, apart from the fact that I am of a diverse cultural background myself (I am Italian born), I have lived in the City of Campbelltown for almost 40 years.

On each occasion, I am reminded of being at a similar function when I was a child and my parents took their oath of allegiance. I know that the concept of multiculturalism was not part of our vocabulary at the time; we all became 'new Australians'. What it meant for my family, and I am certain for everyone arriving since, is that all of us, within the laws of this great nation, can continue to celebrate our heritage, religion, language, customs and traditions. Indeed, we believe that, here in South Australia, we have shown the rest of the world how it should be done.

When my parents left an impoverished Europe post World War II, they wanted a better life, not just for themselves but for their family. They admired our stability, the Westminster system of democracy, job opportunities, our education and health institutions, and the freedom of choice. When it is all said and done, I am certain that it is for all of those reasons people still come to Australia.

Campbelltown City Council has the tradition of also naming their citizen of the year and young citizen of the year, and this year they were Ms Sue Jackson and Mr Cameron Forster respectively. This year, the community event of the year award went to the Rotary Club of Campbelltown Art Show. Mr Michael Keelan was a special guest, as Campbelltown's Australia Day ambassador this year, and he presented the winners with their award. Mr Keelan is, of course, well known by all as a horticulturist, editor, and radio and television presenter.

I think it is important to talk a little about the winners. Ms Jackson is one of those people all communities hope lives amongst them. She is an active volunteer at all levels at one of the local primary schools, Thorndon Park Primary. Indeed, part of her citation reads that 'her passion to increase money for the school to better resources and facilities for the students saw her volunteering close to 30 hours a week' during a particular period. She is also an active volunteer with the Little Athletics Club, and she has done some tremendous work in increasing the membership of the club so that it is no longer financially struggling.

Mr Cameron Forster, the young citizen of the year, who was also named the state's Young Citizen of the Year, said that he was 'genuinely humbled' by his awards. I understand that Mr Cameron was 16 when he joined Campbelltown's Youth Advisory Committee, and he is still involved. He has taken on many commitments and leadership roles since that time, in particular in relation to the environment. More recently, he was the team leader for the Northern Immigration Detention Centre, Darwin, as part of the Australian League of Immigration Volunteers. He is reported as describing that particular trip as a life-changing experience.

The winner of the community event of the year, the Rotary Club of Campbelltown Art Show, is deserving of enormous praise. The event is now an important annual fixture for both the service club and those who enjoy art. More importantly, it is a forum for both local and interstate artists to exhibit their works. The event has recently celebrated its 28th year, and this year attracted some 600 artists. The proceeds from the art show are used for Rotary Club projects within the council area. The event is also sponsored by the Campbelltown City Council and Paradise Motors. My congratulations go to all three very deserving category winners.

The Campbelltown City Council area is a great place to live, and has a rich tapestry of people from different cultures living within it. When we talk about nearly one-quarter of Australia's population either being born overseas or the children of either one or both parents born overseas, Campbelltown City Council serves as a great example of multiculturalism. I congratulate the council, under the leadership of Mayor Simon Brewer, on its many good works.

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