House of Assembly: Thursday, November 14, 2013

Contents

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRAND

Mr BROCK (Frome) (15:32): Today I would like to talk about some of the 14 winners of the 2013 Brand SA Awards from the Yorke and Mid-North. The Small Business Award Winner was Mathie's Meat Shoppe in Clare. This shop is a unique butcher shop specialising in local products fully processed on the premises. This year, they were inducted into the Australian Meat Industry Council Hall of Fame for their traditional sausage, and are one of only six national inductees since the award's inception. They have now been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Community Group Award Winner was SA Country Carers at Clare. Since 1996, SA Country Carers have been supporting people who are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, dementia, a chronic or mental illness, or who is of a frail age. Their vision is to acknowledge these carers and provide them the support they need. The program provides direct support to carers through peer support groups, individual counselling and support, advocacy, information, outings and retreats.

The Community Individual Award Winner was Mark Swensson from Port Pirie. Since 2010, Mark has worked with various schools and community organisations as a youth worker. He is currently a student mentor and chaplain at John Pirie Secondary School, providing mentorship and pastoral care, and acting as a role model for staff and 700 students. Mark assisted in the creation and facilitation of an intervention program called Shedlinx.

The Educational Award Winner was Barossa Lower North Futures Trade Shed Clare. Barossa Lower North Futures is a not-for-profit organisation whose core business is to assist young people in the transition from school to work, further education or learning. They operate a trade shed in Clare where the young people get first-hand experience.

The SA Health Award Winner was the Terrace Medical Clinic at Port Pirie. This clinic is an accredited practice committed to providing comprehensive care to the local community. They offer a bowel cancer screening program and free flu vaccinations to children and adults who do not fit within the government run programs. The Terrace Clinic trains medical students from Adelaide University and the John Flynn Placement Program.

The Innovation Award winner was O'Dea Solar and Electrical at Crystal Brook. This is a family-run business based at Crystal Brook servicing regional and rural areas. The business provides general electrical work and solar energy installations and maintenance. Over the last 12 months, the business has installed a number of energy efficient systems including wind turbines and solar-assisted split-system air conditioners, a first for the business.

For Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment, the Food Award winner was Pangkarra Foods at Clare. This is a family owned and operated business producing premium wholegrain pasta and flour, from paddock to plate. Their most outstanding feature is the fact that their wheat is stone milled and they are the only business in Australia to produce premium stone milled wholegrain pasta and flour that are completely traceable from their origins. Since its inception in 2011, Pangkarra has achieved great success and is now represented in 185 retail stores and 35 restaurants throughout Australia.

For Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment, the Wine Award winner was Rhythm Stick Wines at Penwortham. The Sustainability Award winner was Savannah Lamb at Clare, who produce and supply stress-free and ethically-raised lambs to premium butchers, restaurants and direct to consumers in South Australia. From the outset, Savannah Lamb was established with specific aims and targets for environmental and business sustainability.

The Youth Award winner was Luke O'Dea from Crystal Brook. Luke O'Dea is the owner of O'Dea Solar & Electrical, based in Crystal Brook. He began an apprenticeship as an electrician in Kadina and found work in Clare. He set up his own company after a trip to China and sourced products to cut out the middleman, and he has now grown to have 13 staff in his organisation.

I would also like to represent some other finalists who were there: from the arts, Tracy Vandepeer from Auburn; for large business, J.A. Rowe & Sons at Port Broughton; the community group was the Zonta Club of Clare and Districts; the community individual was Alison Edwards, a local GP at Port Broughton; for sport it was the Clare Valley Racing Club; and for sustainability, Port Pirie Regional Council gained an award for their water project.

In closing, I would just like to say how proud I was that out of 14 winners announced on the night, 10 were from my electorate of Frome. It just goes to show that in the regional areas of South Australia there are very innovative organisations and businesses out there. I congratulate everybody who participated on the night and wish them well in the future.