Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about a hardworking organisation in Barker that is focused on the history of volunteer firefighting in South Australia. The SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum in Naracoorte specifically aims 'to research, record, conserve and promote the history and equipment of the South Australian volunteer fire service'. It's a reminder to all volunteer firefighters past and present that we appreciate their dedication and hard work in often dangerous, life-threatening conditions, leaving their own families, homes and sometimes communities to help others.

This dedicated group based at Naracoorte in my electorate, who are seeking to establish a museum complex, have done a stellar job over many years. From humble beginnings, because of lots of hard work and fundraising in the typical Limestone Coast way—including donations from CFS brigades in the region—we now have a memorial to commemorate those lost and a large number of historical appliances. But work continues towards the development of the museum itself.

In September last year, I was thrilled to deliver a grant of $18,750 to the SA firefighters museum from this government's Building Better Regions Fund for the development of a 10-year strategic business plan that will underpin the development and operation of the museum complex. Our firefighting volunteers make up such an important part of so many regional communities across the country. I want to acknowledge the work of all the volunteers associated with this project but, in particular, the irrepressible Rex Hall, who is the driving force behind the initiative. I look forward to doing what I can further to support this important organisation and bring the museum to fruition.