Today, I rise to share some remarkable stories and achievements within my Light electorate, highlighting the spirit of dedication, celebration and community engagement that actually defines our region.
Today I rise to honour Raymond Gobell, a World War II veteran and a master carpenter and general builder in our region. He celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday. Raymond served as an airframe fitter in the Royal Australian Air Force and trained as a pilot during World War II.
There is quite a vibe in the Gawler community currently, as events showcasing our heritage, creativity and energy draw people from near and far. Last weekend was the Gawler Show, South Australia's largest regional show, which saw more than 24,000 people pass through the gates across the two days. The Arts on the Plains Festival has also swept across the greater Gawler region.
With Philippines Independence Day having been the celebrated this month, on 12 June, and Philippines Republic Day coming up on 4 July, I thought it fitting that we honour the Filipino community who now call my electorate and other parts of South Australia home and, of course, are flourishing.
I would like to make a brief contribution to this debate and speak in support of the bill. I support the bill because of what the bill symbolises. I think the importance of this bill is that it sends a strong message that racism is not acceptable in this community and it is not a good thing to have in our community. This has been brought home to me this week in my electorate and also in my own community where I live. An anonymous letter was distributed to a whole range of households that seeks to build distrust in the community and seeks to do something that this bill is aiming to say is not acceptable behaviour.
I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of two people in my electorate - Ian Smith and John Thorpe. Although they have different backgrounds, and have worked in different fields, they have both in their own way made significant contributions to the wellbeing of our community.
On Friday night, I had the honour of attending the launch dinner for the third annual Hope Cup. The Hope Cup is an annual cricket match between the Gawler police and our local Riverside Salvation Army, which is filled with local residents and celebrities who donate money for a chance to be selected to play in the Riverside team. However, the Hope Cup is more than just a game of cricket; it is a symbol of hope for those grappling with the harsh realities of homelessness in Gawler and surrounding areas. And I talk about homelessness at the hard edge: those who sleep rough.
The Biggest Morning Tea in Gawler is more than sharing a cup of tea with those in the community. The Southern Barossa Business Group recently held their first awards - The Southern Barossa Business Awards. Recently, I also had an opportunity to attend a MATES in Construction event.
On 14 May 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to war with adjoining Arab nations, and also leading to an escalation of violence perpetuated on the Palestinian people. Nakba Day, as requested by the United Nations General Assembly, is observed on 15 May each year. It commemorates the events of 1948, known as Nakba. These events led to the expulsion of approximately 750,000 Palestinians, those who fled their homes and became refugees.