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.
In the role of local member of parliament, you have the opportunity and honour to meet a wide range of people from different backgrounds and circumstances. Two of those people who have had a lasting and positive impact on the way I view the history and wellbeing of Aboriginal people would be two incredible women, the late Mary Graham and the late Kayelene Brown.
I would like to speak in support of this motion and thank the member for bringing it before the house. As mentioned, 4 May marks St Florian's Day, also known as International Firefighters' Day. St Florian is the patron saint of firefighters.
I recently attended one of my local Gawler Rotary Club's 70th anniversary celebrations on Saturday night. Born from the vision of 24 dedicated individuals in 1954, the club has raised well over $1 million to initiate and support a wide range of projects to benefit not only our community but also those abroad.
I recently attended an event to launch a book marking the 70th anniversary of the St Francis of Assisi parish community at Newton. The book is more than a history of the parish, as important as that is; it is also a celebration of faith, family and the Italian community's contribution to the eastern suburbs of South Australia.