Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo has this month celebrated 40 years of continuous membership of the Australian Labor Party.

Mr Piccolo, as a 19-year-old student, went to the offices of his then local ALP Member, Mr Terry Hemmings to join the party and has never looked back, despite some occasional disappointments with the party.

Mr Hemmings, who was the member for Napier, said he well remembers Tony coming into his electorate office and signing up.”

“I remember him getting off the train at Elizabeth, coming up to that little office I had upstairs in Elizabeth Chambers and telling me that he wanted to join the ALP to make a difference,” said Mr Hemmings.

“Next I hear of him making his presence felt on Gawler Council....the rest is history.

“I Have followed his career with pride since that time and never heard a bad word against him.”

Mr Piccolo remembers those early days when the Sub-Branch met at the West of Elizabeth Workingmen’s Club.

“In those days the party had a very strong blue-collar membership, with many members working in local manufacturing,” said Mr Piccolo.

“There weren’t many young members when I joined but I was warmly welcomed and given the opportunity to make a contribution through a number of positions within the local sub-branch.”

The electoral boundaries changed in in 1984 and Mr Piccolo was then in the Light electorate where he has been ever since. As a party member Mr Piccolo has held several positions at local, regional and state levels.

Current State ALP Branch Secretary, Mr Reggie Martin said Tony has shown great dedication to the Labor Party.

“He has been involved at every level of the Party, from the grassroots through to being an MP and a Minister in a Labor Government,” Mr Martin said.

“No MP in Australia works harder than Tony at representing his community.

“Tony always fights for his community and has achieved a lot in his time as the Member for Light.”

Those comments have been echoed by ALP Parliamentary Leader Mr Peter Malinauskas who said he was pleased to congratulate Tony on 40 years of continuous ALP membership – a great local member, and a strong advocate for his community.

“Tony is incredibly hardworking and constantly puts his mind towards how he can best contribute positively to society,” Mr Malinauskas said.

On the 3rd October 1981 Mr Piccolo, at the age of 21, was elected as a councillor, to the District Council of Munno Para and has held a public since that day, with him serving some areas in the lectorate in some capacity for about 38 years.

In 1985 council boundaries changes led Mr Piccolo to seek election to the Gawler Council where he spent the next 21 years as a councillor, alderman, deputy mayor and finally as mayor from 2000 to 2006 when he was elected as the Member for Light.

Mr Piccolo said he has been very fortunate in having the support of the local community as both an ALP member and the public offices he has held.

“I have been privileged to have been able to serve my community in a number of roles,” said Mr Piccolo.

“While the time commitment required has been the biggest challenge, I consider myself honoured to be able to do a job I love.”