Operation Flinders

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:43): I rise to talk about Operation Flinders, which is an outstanding organisation that works with young people at risk. For a brief overview of what they do, I will read out this extract from their website:

The foundation offers a unique program that presents its participants with a new direction in life. Teams trek 100km through the spectacular Flinders Ranges with the aim to develop personal attitudes of self-esteem, leadership, motivation, team work and responsibility. They learn basic bush survival skills, are taught to abseil, discover Indigenous culture, and learn of the rich history of the Flinders Ranges. Unlike other aspects of their lives, there is not an opportunity for the participants to 'opt out'.

Each team of between eight and 10 is led by a team leader skilled in navigation and bushcraft. The young participants live out and sleep on the ground, prepare their own food, navigate through the Flinders Ranges and learn the values of teamwork and respect.

An independent evaluation in 2001 reported that the program at the time was leading the world in its outcomes, and found that young people at high risk underwent a significant positive change as a result. Operation Flinders fields teams from both metropolitan and regional communities throughout South Australia. In the years 2008 and 2009 a record number of over 320 young people participated in an Operation Flinders Foundation exercise.

The organisation was established by Pam Murray-White in 1991. Pam was a former teacher and Army officer, obtaining the rank of captain. Upon returning to teaching after four years of service, she realised that there were elements of Army life that could assist her students. She started the program with assistance from defence force personnel, with the Army providing equipment. By 1993 the program had 99 participants. Following this early success, Pam was convinced by South Australia Police to concentrate the program on troubled young people as part of a crime prevention strategy. She was then joined by serving police officers. Sadly, Pam passed away in 1995.

I was privileged enough to join the passionate and motivated team recently for a weekend exercise, and I want to acknowledge all those fantastic volunteers who participated in that exercise. I would like to particularly thank Ian Roberts, the great man Ron Barton, and a long-serving volunteer pilot, Brenton Hollitt. They are volunteers with Operation Flinders.

More specifically, I wish to thank the corporate sponsors and their representatives from SA Power Networks who I joined in the exercise, and to recognise their time and efforts in doing their bit for the community which I think is outstanding. I think everyone in this place would appreciate their work as good corporate citizens. Special thanks, in particular, to board chairman, Peter Tulloch, and CEO Rob Stobbe (and their wives) for representing their company with such high standards and showing the very human face of SA Power Networks. They were well received and did an outstanding job.

Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge Heather Merritt from the City of Onkaparinga, and Michael Morgan from the MFS who were also present that weekend. As I said, I joined these people for the exercise as a guest. In particular, I thank Andrew Bartlett (aka Barty), a good friend of the Hon. John Dawkins, who is an ambassador for Operation Flinders, and does a great deal of volunteering up there. I have to thank Barty because, sadly, the bullies in the parliamentary Liberal Party insisted that I participate in the abseiling part of it. I am very scared of heights. I am not scared of many things—other than my wife—but I am very scared of heights.

I was put under an enormous amount of pressure and, whilst all the kids do it and do it really well, I was probably never more terrified in my life. However, I have to say that Barty and Michael Morgan were fantastic in talking me through it. I cannot thank them enough. I will buy Barty a beer any time, any place that I see him.

Finally, I would like to thank Jonathon Robran for the outstanding job that he does and, in particular, John Shepherd who has been a shining light for this organisation. I was truly inspired by the volunteering efforts of the fantastic people who are giving up their time to really change the lives and outcomes of young people. I also met Kylie Agnew-Pointon, a terrific young person working with the organisation; she is obviously a rising star.

I acknowledge the Hon. Gerry Kandelaars who, I believe, has been up there. They would not tell me whether or not he had abseiled. I think they said that he did, just to put me under pressure. I would encourage all members, if they have the opportunity, to participate as it is an outstanding project and it fully deserves our support.