Claire Clutterham (Sturt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the St Peters Fair held on 14 March in my electorate of Sturt. It was a wonderful event that once again showcased the strength, warmth and spirit of our community. It brought neighbours together, celebrated our volunteers and highlighted the local groups who work hand in hand to make our community thrive.

The fair has long been a highlight on the calendar for the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, and this year was no exception. One of the stand-out attractions was the hugely popular petting zoo, which drew families, children and plenty of enthusiastic adults. I will happily admit that I joined in and had the pleasure of patting a very cute goat. Small, joyful moments really do remind us why community events matter.

Events like the fair simply don't happen without an enormous amount of planning and effort behind the scenes, and I want to acknowledge the incredible volunteers from the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters council, who brought the day together. Their planning, coordination and quiet dedication often go unseen, yet they and the staff are the backbone of community events like this. From organising stallholders and entertainment to setting up early in the morning and packing down after everyone has gone home, these volunteers and staff embody what service to community truly looks like.

I also want to recognise the presence of paramedics from St John Ambulance, whose volunteers provided medical support throughout the day. Their calm professionalism gives all of us the confidence to enjoy community events safely, knowing help is on hand if needed. I'm deeply grateful for their ongoing contribution to the wellbeing of our community.

Another group that continues to lead with generosity is the Rotary Club of St Peters. The Rotary team not only played a role at the fair but continue throughout the year to run projects that make a meaningful difference both locally and globally. For example, on Sunday 12 April 2026, the Rotary club will be hosting a birthing-kit assembly day, and they're seeking volunteers to join them. Birthing kits are small, low-cost packs that provide clean, simple tools to support safe births in developing countries. For mothers and babies who lack access to basic medical resources, these kits can literally save lives. The assembly day is hands on, purposeful and deeply rewarding. In just a couple of hours, you can directly contribute to a project that improves health outcomes for women and children around the world.

Events like these highlight the strength and generosity of volunteers in our community. Their willingness to give their time without expectation of reward shows just how powerful collective community action can be in improving lives beyond our own borders. To every volunteer at the fair, through Rotary and with St John, I say thank you.

See this speech in context