The Barossa Valley Rotary Club has taken out the 2016 Premier’s Distinction Prize at the annual Association of Community Service Organisations SA Inc. (ACSO) Award Presentation.
The prize is for an outstanding project and the winning club receives a $2,000 cheque to put towards their community programs. The Barossa Valley Rotary Club won the award for their road safety project which has seen thousands of young people participate in the club’s program to assist younger people to become better road users. ACSO was formed in 1982 to act as a liaison body between service clubs in South Australia. This year’s Marks 34 years of co-operative action. The association currently consists of representatives from Apex, Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Soroptimist and Zonta service clubs. The Premier’s Distinction Award was presented at the special luncheon on Sunday by the Member for Light, Mr Tony Piccolo. Mr Piccolo is a former Minister for Volunteers. Mr Piccolo said ASCO seeks to increase the profile of service clubs and facilitate liaison meetings at Director/Governor level with the Minister and the Office for Volunteers. ACSO also provide a central database for club speakers, inter service club projects and physical resources. Mr Piccolo said service clubs do a great deal of work for communities and all funds raised are invested in projects both locally and across the globe. “The breadth and depth of projects that were nominated for various awards demonstrates the commitment this band of volunteers have for their community.” The Barossa Valley Rotary Club also took out the Community Education and Social Inclusion Awards. This week the State also celebrates Service Club week where communities showcase and celebrate the work of service clubs in their local communities. Mr Piccolo said that service clubs enrich the lives in communities and his electorate can boast over 12 active community organisations that commit themselves to raise funds to undertake projects in their local communities. Mr Piccolo recently praised the work of service clubs in a speech he delivered in State Parliament. In his speech Mr Piccolo highlighted how service clubs also supported community events by providing volunteers to undertake a range of duties. “People can really make a difference by joining a local service club,” added Mr Piccolo.