ADJOURNMENT

Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (11:27): Since the turn of the century, the world has drifted from one crisis to another, beginning with the 11 September 2001 Twin Tower and Pentagon attacks in the USA, followed by the October 2002 Bali bombings, the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2007-2009 global recession, the ISIS terrorist years from 2014 to 2019, the three-year global COVID pandemic from 2019 to 2022, the 2022 Russian war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, and now the military attack on Iran and the resulting disruption to global fuel supplies.

All of these events, coupled with countless less publicised conflicts and numerous destructive extreme natural disasters, including floods, fires, droughts, hurricanes, cyclones and earthquakes, have taken their toll on national economies, with unquantified amounts of funds being lost or diverted away from essential daily services into the restoration or rebuilding of the regions affected.

These events are not only taking money out of communities but driving up prices and, in turn, putting people under financial stress. Throughout the world, cost of living is becoming the priority issue for governments as so many people struggle to make ends meet or to purchase their first home, pay their rent or cover education, health and aged-care costs. For too many people, life has become a daily struggle, which is why the voluntary work of service organisations is as important today as ever before.

There are numerous humanitarian organisations that every day do extraordinary work in helping people in need. However, today, I'll focus my remarks on the work and immense contributions of service clubs such as the Country Women's Association, Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, VIEW Clubs and Zonta International and how they are making a real difference to the lives of people in need.

All of these clubs have existed for decades and have become respected and trusted institutions in Australia and throughout the world. That is one of their most important strengths. I see firsthand the invaluable social work all of these organisations do in my own region, such as financially assisting individual families, delivering invaluable environmental projects, providing emergency relief support to families at times of natural disaster events, helping the rollout of health services and food and supporting education programs both locally and overseas.

Whenever there is a worthy humanitarian cause, whether it be local, interstate or overseas, these organisations are often the first to step in, with no hidden agendas or personal benefit to members. Additionally, and very importantly, at a time that there is so much division within society, the humanitarian work of these service organisations is invaluable in breaking down barriers, bringing people together and creating goodwill between people of different backgrounds.

It is impossible to measure the collective value of service clubs, but I have no doubt that the hardships faced by so many and the demands on government would be much greater were it not for service clubs who, through their army of volunteers collectively do so much good. I see evidence of their worth throughout the Makin electorate, just as I'm sure that other members see it in their own electorates.

Yet most of the volunteers associated with these groups quietly do what they do with little fanfare or public recognition. These are people who have often given lifelong service to their service club and the humanitarian projects those clubs have been involved with. They do so not only with a huge demand on their own time but often at a considerable financial impost to themselves.

Today, I say thank you to each and every one of them. Your work and your commitment change lives, give people hope and make the world a better place.