HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Member Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-08-19 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

Ministerial Statement

Recent Losses for South Australian Community

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:22): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: In the past week, our state has endured the incredible loss of three South Australians, not connected by workplace or family but united in their unwavering commitment to serving our community. It is with deep sadness that I rise today to speak about three very remarkable individuals, taken from us too soon yet leaving behind an enduring mark on the lives they have touched: MFS Commander Adrienne Clarke OAM AFSM; former Department for Correctional Services Chief Executive Peter Severin; and Mr. John Baker AM ESM, President of Surf Life Saving Australia. Each worked tirelessly to keep our community safe and have left a lasting legacy on our state.

Commander Adrienne Clarke OAM AFSM is renowned as a pioneering leader whose legacy lives on through the SA Metropolitan Fire Service family. Commander Clarke joined the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service in 1987, making history as the state's first full-time female firefighter. For more than a decade, she was the only woman among over 650 men, and while those early years were challenging, her determination never wavered. She worked tirelessly to prove that ability, not gender, could define a firefighter's worth.

Her career was marked by a series of historic firsts. Rising through the ranks, she became the first female commander in the MFS, demonstrating not only exceptional operational skills but also the leadership qualities that inspired respect from all who served alongside her. Adrienne's trailblazing journey opened doors for future generations of women in firefighting and emergency services, leaving a legacy that will endure.

Commander Clarke's service was recognised at the highest level. In 2016, she was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for her distinguished service and leadership. In 2019, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, acknowledging her significant contribution to firefighting, emergency management and the promotion of women in the profession. These honours reflected not only her skills and dedication but also her enduring impact on the community and the profession she loved.

Adrienne was more than a firefighter. She was a mentor, a role model and a tireless advocate for equality and inclusion. She worked to challenge stereotypes, encouraged women to see firefighting as a career path and supported colleagues through both the triumphs and trials of service. She embodied the MFS values of courage, service and integrity in all she did. Her passing is deeply felt by all within the MFS family and the broader emergency services community.

The emergency services community has also faced another deep loss with the sudden passing of John Baker AM ESM (also known as JB), President of Surf Life Saving Australia. JB's journey in surf lifesaving began in 1977 when he joined the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club. Only days prior to his passing, I sat with JB and his wife, Jo, at the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club annual awards dinner. His love of surf and his family were evident that night, and I want to pass on my deepest condolences to Jo and their family.

JB's service spanned more than four decades as an active patrolling volunteer and, ultimately, a life member, dedicating countless hours to keeping our beaches safe for our community. As a leader, John served as President of Surf Life Saving South Australia for 10 years and as President of Surf Life Saving Australia for the past five years. On the ground, John's operational commitment was extraordinary. Since 1994, he served as one of the longest serving volunteer crew members of the South Australian Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, responding to emergencies and saving lives along our coastline.

His service to our community has not gone unnoticed. In 2017, John received one of our nation's highest honours, the Emergency Services Medal. In 2018, John was also awarded the International Lifesaving Citation of Merit. In 2021, he was inducted into the Surf Life Saving SA Hall of Fame, and in 2024 JB was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia. Beyond these awards, JB's legacy will endure in the lives he saved, the people he inspired and the strength of the movement he helped build.

The nation's correctional services community also is mourning after the recent loss of Peter Severin. I thank our current DCS chief executive, David Brown, for providing these words so they can forever be captured in Hansard.

Peter dedicated his entire career working to improve the quality of prison and correctional services in South Australia, throughout the nation and across the world. He was the Chief Executive of the Department for Correctional Services in South Australia between 2003 and 2012. He was also the Commissioner of Corrective Services, New South Wales, for nine years between 2012 and 2021. He served as Deputy Director-General in Corrective Services in Queensland, and since 2019 Peter was the President of the International Corrections and Prisons Association.

Peter started his career as a prison officer in Germany and, in total, he dedicated more than 40 years of extraordinary service. This is an astonishing achievement, and his passing is a great loss to correctional services.

Peter was an accomplished leader with extensive experience in government administration, specialising in policy development, crisis management, negotiation, budgeting and major infrastructure procurement. His wise words and guidance impacted thousands of lives. He was recognised and respected for his strong abilities and a proven track record in mentoring and coaching and a commitment to driving impactful community and social services initiatives.

It is an honour now to highlight some of Peter's many accomplishments and achievements during his tenure as Chief Executive of the Department for Correctional Services in South Australia, including:

overseeing the commencement of the major redevelopment of the prison system, including Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide Women's Prison, Mount Gambier Prison and Port Augusta Prison;

overseeing the significant expansion of rehabilitation services, including the establishment of the Offender Rehabilitation Directorate;

delivering targeted rehabilitation programs in prison and community corrections, including culturally-appropriate programs for Aboriginal offenders and the Sex Offenders and Violent Offender Treatment Program;

reviewed and enhanced victim services to complement changes in legislation; and

improved services for people exiting prison through systemic improvements in the provision of housing and accommodation support and through the completion of the cross-government strategy to address homelessness amongst ex-prisoners.

These are just a few of Peter's achievements; his list could go on for many pages. Peter was an exceptional leader, who regularly shared his knowledge and experience with his counterparts to improve corrections globally. He was truly respected by his peers in South Australia, nationally and internationally, and he was also a good friend and mentor to many.

At Peter's very core was a belief in the inherent value of every human being and a belief in a person's ability to change. Peter's leadership, passion and dedication to correctional services has left a lasting impact on many, and he will be greatly missed. To Peter's wife, Isabelle, and his son, Julian, of whom he was extremely proud, as well as his sister, Bettina, our thoughts are with you.

I also extend my heartfelt condolences to Adrienne Clarke's family, friends and loved ones. We hope they find comfort in knowing the profound difference she made and the countless lives she touched. Commander Adrianne Clarke OAM AFSM will be remembered not only as a pioneer but as a person of immense character, strength and compassion. Her legacy is written in the progress she championed, the doors that she opened and the example she set for those to follow.

For John's wife, Jo, his family, friends and the entire surf lifesaving community, I extend our deepest condolences: his service and spirit will never be forgotten. These three individuals may never have met, yet they will forever be connected through the extraordinary service they gave to community. Each made a commitment to serve and protect South Australians, and they did so with honour. Their names will live on forever through the lives that they have changed. Gone too soon, but not without making a difference and lasting legacy. Vale Peter, JB and Adrienne.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT