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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-06 Daily Xml
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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform members about some of those inspiring South Australians who received Australia Day awards under his portfolio responsibilities?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am very pleased to note some of those recipients of awards. I wish they were awards that could be given under my portfolio of responsibility, but alas they are made in another place. There were many inspiring South Australians who received awards on 26 January of this year. This year there were a number of individuals who, through their personal endeavours, have left a lasting and positive impact on the environment, our state's heritage and, of course, the first people of South Australia.

The first South Australian story I want to share with the chamber today is that of Professor John Argue. Professor Argue's career spanned nearly five decades and he is described by anyone in the know as a father of stormwater quality. People in the stormwater industry would know him as their lecturer, their conference presenter and author but for future generations he will always be known as the authority of stormwater engineering around Australia and an expert on water sensitive urban design around the world.

John retired from the University of South Australia in 1999 and has published countless papers presented at conferences in Europe, Asia and the United States. I am told John is most proud of his two main publications, commonly known as 'the red book' and 'the green book'. The red book or Storm Drainage Design in Small Urban Catchments was published in 1986, and John is currently working to have this available for free on the University of South Australia website. The green book, entitled Water Sensitive Design: Basic Procedures for Source Control, an Australian Handbook, is often the go-to resource for innovation in development and the use of water.

Professor Argue has also been involved in a number of projects himself around South Australia, including the St Elizabeth's Church car park in Warradale, which now has a lovely rose garden and lush grass beds, and Parfitt Square in the new Brompton estate in Bowden Brompton. I am told that the church stormwater system at St Elizabeth's is managed by a number of retired volunteers who perform their work on Tuesday morning as a men's shed-style of activity which concludes with another very important hydration activity—sinking a number of stubbies, but I am sure in moderation, after a hard day's work! John received the Officer in the General Division Award for distinguished service and clearly this was much deserved for the lasting impact he will have on urban environments around our country.

Another South Australian who is worthy of mention in the environmental field is Mr David Mitchell. David has been a long-time volunteer in the environmental area and became more deeply involved with government and policy-setting as a member (and later president) of the Friends of the Cobbler Creek Recreation Park.

David is now President of the Friends of Parks Inc. Board which is the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources' largest overarching volunteer group containing several thousand members, I am told. David is a keen advocate for this group, its volunteers and its role that the parks group's members so dearly cherish, and that is looking after our parks. David has been involved in improved outcomes for volunteer health and safety and has been involved in draft park management plans and general park trails and amenities. For his considerable efforts in promoting South Australia's parks and the volunteering community, David was awarded the Member in the General Division Award for significant service.

Another South Australian, Ms Meredith Arnold from Waikerie, was recognised for her tireless work in preserving and celebrating the history of her Riverland town. Ms Arnold has worked as a volunteer, author and historian since the late 1960s and has been involved in the development of the Waikerie Heritage Walk brochure and the installation of information plaques in Waikerie since 1980. Ms Arnold's message to the young people of Waikerie was to get involved in celebrating their town's history for the future generations. For her efforts, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service.

The last South Australian I want to touch on today is Ms Elizabeth Fisher, or Betty to people who know her personally. Betty has been a long-time activist for social justice and in particular women's interests, but it is her work as an advocate for the Aboriginal women of South Australia that I want to make particular mention of. Ms Fisher spent many years supporting the women of South Australia in a number of organisations and is well known for her feminist activism but perhaps more famously known for her presentation of tapes, recordings and other evidence as a witness in the Hindmarsh Island royal commission to confirm the existence of secret women's business.

Betty's commitment to Aboriginal women of South Australia still remains to this day as strong as it ever was and she has provided extensive research material and writings for future academics and the archives of Australia. She has also provided much knowledge of Ms Gladys Elphick who needs no introduction and is currently writing a history of the Aboriginal Women's Council. For these efforts, Betty was awarded the Member in the General Division Award for significant service.

One of the pleasures of my role as a member of parliament, and I think all members would agree, is meeting and hearing the many South Australians who are making outstanding contributions to their communities and to our state. Looking through the list of Australia Day Honours recipients it is easy to see that South Australia has a wealth of outstanding individuals. On behalf of the government of South Australia and on behalf of this chamber and parliament, I take this opportunity to commend them all to this place.

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