Motions

Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA

Debate resumed.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:33): I, too, rise to make a contribution to the member for Flinders' motion and recognise the 175 years of the Royal Agricultural Society Show. As most people who have had a contribution here today have said, the Show is about fun, it is about learning, and it is about a new experience. I think that everyone who has had a contribution here this morning has been a part of that. There has been some fun and there has been a bit of joviality for those who understand the Show. There are those who have been to the Show and have not understood what the Show was about, but they have gone there and they have learnt. I think that is what the Show is about and that is why we call it the Show because it is almost like a show-and-tell or a show and learn.

I will not go back over the history of the Show as some of the members have, but obviously we have to acknowledge that it is one of the oldest organisations in South Australia. The 'Royal' part of the Show was an 1869 prefix that was granted by Queen Victoria so that is where the 'Royal' came from with the Show.

The Show was instigated many years ago for good reason: it was put as a vision for South Australia—not only what South Australia could achieve but also that conduit of what we could do with our agricultural products. That includes not just being able to grow, but how we would export and ways that we would export. I note the joint venture between the ag society and P&O for the first shipment of refrigerated produce from South Australia to Europe. I think that was probably one of the benchmarks coming away from the Show in the early days.

As many have said, there are many facets to the Show. It is not just about the animals, the produce, the equestrian events, the sideshow alley, the food, the smell—there are many, many facets to the Show. If I look back as a young lad, I have many fond memories. One of the first fond memories I have was looking back at the show bags when they were sample bags. Back then it was either a Bertie Beetle or a liquorice show bag, as I remember some years ago. It was about giving people a taste or an experience, and I think that is more importantly what the Show was about.

Of course, there have been many pieces of history that revolve around the Show. One of the most recent pieces of history was the 175^th gala celebration night that the Show board put on. I would like to pay tribute to a few people who made that event happen: obviously Richard Fewster, the president of the Show. Richard is a good friend of mine. He has so much passion for the Show, and a vision for the Show and what it can still yet produce and what it can mean to South Australia. You have to have a spare hour to sit down with him just to listen to what his vision is and what he wants the Show to present to the next generation.

Of course, John Rothwell is one of those super energetic CEOs. He is always on his toes, always looking for the next step and always looking for excellence. I think that was proudly displayed at the gala event. Michelle Hocking is the marketing girl down at the Show. I think she did an outstanding job with her contribution to the night. Of course, there was Rob Hunt and his committee that actually put that Show on.

That gala event was probably one of the better black tie events that I have been to in my black tie career. It had everything: it had the themes of the night, the waiters, the films that went around the walls, the food, the singing, the entertainment. It was all themed around the night. For those who went along—I am not going to point fingers, but I only noticed that there was one person on the other side from this establishment who went along. Sadly, they might have had other events on, but you missed out on a good night.

The Hon. S.W. Key: I was there.

Mr WHETSTONE: Yes, that's what I am saying.

The Hon. S.W. Key: Kyam.

Mr WHETSTONE: Kyam lives in another place, but I was making reference to you, member for Ashford. It really was a great night and it was enjoyed by all. As I said, it really gave everyone an experience, not only of the history of what the Royal Show has meant to the people of South Australia but it was also a night of reflection. It really did highlight just how the country comes to the city and engages.

That is probably one of my great fond memories, because today, sadly, there are many, many young ones who would go to the Show and they go straight to sideshow alley and they do not drift off around other parts of the Show. I think that over time, as the member for Colton has said, people become a little older and engage more with where they are going, and they will wander into the animal pavilions, the produce pavilions, the fashion shows and the technology centres. I think that is where the future of the Show is going.

I think nothing less than with the Show board, with what they are about to present for the future. In having a chat to the president, I asked him, 'What is the future, the next 10-year vision, for you as a Show board president?' One of his favourite lines is that he can see South Australia being the next Silicon Valley when it comes to agriculture. I think he is pretty much on the mark, because the Show board wants to have an ever-increasing role in agriculture, in R&D.

Because we are talking about the Royal Show, we will not get too political, but the R&D is what South Australia will rely on for the next 175 years. It is not about relying on what we have achieved over the last period of time, it is about what we can achieve over the next period of time. I think, sadly, the current government has lost that focus on where the R&D is going. They are reducing funding for our R&D organisations. They seem to be pointing the finger at industry and saying, 'Your role; on your bike; off you go.' I think there needs to be more of a joint venture. For us as parliamentarians we need to be here to make this place a better state, yes, but we also need to make the future a better place.

I will move on to some of my past experiences with the Show. I will share a little of my family history. As a young fellow, I used to visit the Show every day for the 10 days that it used to be—almost two weeks. I very proudly stand here to say that I do have one over the member for Colton because I have many ribbons. They are not ribbons that I just asked for; they are ribbons that were handed down to me.

My grandparents, Freda and Dudley Coombe, were very highly regarded in cattle breeding, particularly in the Poll Hereford area. They had a grand champion for three years. One of my fond memories is that there was always that rivalry between the Coombes, the Bennetts and the Speirs. They all had great bloodlines and they all presented great bulls. I stood there proudly with that ribbon around my shoulders as a young three, four and five year old to say that I was part of that.

I remember that we used to go into the stalls and brush the animals, be a part of it and get the smell all over us. That was the year that you would dress up in your RM Williams moleskin pants and your elastic-sided boots. You were part of it. You would smell of it, proud as punch. If you were lucky enough, you would go round and get yourself a couple of sample bags. I used to sneak into the Heavy Horse that would overlook the woodcutting. It really was a great experience. Another one of my proud moments was to carry the grand parade banner. To walk out in front of the livestock, carry that banner and lead the procession around the arena was a great experience.

Last year the Show contacted me to say that they had a photo that was taken—I will not tell you exactly how many years; that would give it away—many years ago when I was at the age of three and they did a re-enactment of me sitting on a bale of hay with a show bag and the whip. People have talked about my award-winning jam. Yes, I have won prize money and I have won ribbons. I am back there again this year. I challenge everyone in this house: enter something in the Show; be a part of the Show.

Time expired.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:43): I would like to add my support for this terrific motion of the member for Flinders—and add my congratulations to everybody who has been involved with the Royal Show over very many years. I am not one to brag myself, but all the ribbons I have won as a dog exhibitor for the last 25 years have been won by myself manoeuvring my Dobermans or pharaoh hounds around the arena. The former member for Torrens is a Rhodesian ridgeback exhibitor and many times we have walked through that portal where it says you go in and however you come out you have gained an experience.

The Canine Association of South Australia has definitely been very grateful to the Agricultural Society for the use of the rear of the pavilion, and I know for the first 15 years of my dog showing life that was the place where we all went. My grandfather in New South Wales—because I am from Sydney, and have attended the Royal Easter Show for many years—used to exhibit prize poppies and budgerigars, so I have had a long experience of sitting in pavilions with people walking past looking at budgies or dogs or whatever.

As the member for Ashford mentioned, the former member for Adelaide the Hon. Jane Lomax-Smith has a long connection with the Show in her role as a chook judge. We also believe she has judged eggs there from time to time, because we know she is well able to judge a good egg when sees one.

Regional shows are something very important to me, because I believe I have exhibited my dogs at every regional show in South Australia. There is a story about a saluki breeder who had imported a dog from Sweden, which had cost him thousands of dollars. The dog slipped its lead at the Glencoe Show and was never seen again. People were out in the scrub looking for this dog for hours and hours.

The man stayed there for a full week—he had come from Sydney with his dog—but they never, ever saw the dog again. So I am wondering if, along with the Tantanoola tiger myth down there, perhaps the Swedish saluki should also be remembered, because I know that the people were devastated to lose their dog in that fashion.

The regional shows also have the carnie people who come out every year and go around Australia. That is a tradition that I think all of us have learnt a lot from over the years, watching the same people return time after time. I know that the CWA, as the member for Ashford said, plays a very important role, and the cakes are a well-contested area. I know Amanda Blair is a very proud cake baker; I have never—

An honourable member interjecting:

Ms BEDFORD: Who? Mark Brindal bakes cakes as well—

An honourable member: A cake decorator.

Ms BEDFORD: A cake decorator? Well, the things you find out. The thing about the Show is that it is a connection for city people to actually understand the country much better. Without it I think we would have lost that appreciation of country in our lives. I do agree that the Show has been a place where you have looked at the plants and the orchids, and who has not bought a gadget at the Royal Show that they have probably never used again?

The Uniting Church café ladies have done a marvellous job for years, and I remember one year I watched someone shear a sheep, spin the wool, and knit a jumper in a day. That was amazing for me to see; I still think of it as an amazing experience. We watched the grand parades, the horses in action, all those judges. We know kids who spend their entire year getting ready for the Royal Show.

Although I could not attend the gala dinner—I know the Hon. Kyam Maher attended to represent the Premier, and the member for Ashford also went—my excuse is really good. I had just had a new grandchild born, so unfortunately I could not have gone to the dinner. However, I look forward to taking baby Nate and my other grandchildren to the Show, and thank everyone involved not only for giving us those tickets and the opportunity to attend the Show, but also for putting their passion into something that we all really, truly appreciate.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (12:47): I rise, too, to support this motion of the member for Flinders, that this house recognises the 175^th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, and applauds its significant contribution in this state, and it is a significant contribution. I note that the Show Society was set up only three years after Europeans hit South Australia, and they have to be commended—Richard Fewster, John Rothwell and the rest of the current board—for what they have done over many, many years.

The Show has to be recognised for what it does, especially in these more modern times, in bridging that rural/urban divide. There are a lot of misconceptions that get out about the handling of animals, and I think it is great that people can bring all forms of livestock here. Whether it is chickens that young school children can see at the Show, or whether it is through the pigs, or the dairy or beef sections, the sheep sections, whatever, the animals are presented in their best and their finest so that people can understand where our primary production comes from.

It gives our primary producers the opportunity to show off their produce, and it is not just about animals. It is about the cropping, the awards that can be given, the jams, all the produce that is produced in our great agricultural and regional areas. I think it is great for the many thousands of people who not only assist with the running of the Show but also attend the Show, and who have done so for all these years.

I want to talk a little bit about some of our country shows. The Coonalpyn Show, just down the road from me, has had a bit of a history with our family. I want to tell a little anecdote about a bloke who used to be a shearer in our district and who has sadly passed away in the last couple of years. There is a true story that, years ago, he went to the Coonalpyn Show with his wife and he never saw her again. So, we have a standing joke in our house that, if Sally goes missing for five minutes, I ring up and say, 'Where have you been? Have you been to the Coonalpyn Show?'

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: Yes, that's it. Sadly, with the drain on population in rural areas that we have seen in recent years, I think that it would be far harder for someone to go missing at the Coonalpyn Show. It is a great little show, and they do a great job. I have certainly been enlisted at the Coonalpyn Show and Meningie Show also as a beer judge. I put my utmost effort into judging the beers to make sure that I give first prize to the most deserving beer—and I did make sure that I reanalysed all of the beers to make sure that we got the winner. It is great to be involved; it does not matter what you are judging or that kind of thing. I am also an annual entrant in the breadmaking at the Coonalpyn Show, the machine-baked bread, and I have some ribbons, some firsts and sadly some seconds.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: Do you use your own flour?

Mr PEDERICK: No, I haven't had the time to grind my own flour.

The Hon. A. Piccolo interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: Madam Deputy Speaker—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I am going to protect the member for Hammond on this one rare opportunity where he needs my help.

Mr PEDERICK: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. No, I think that it is a Laucke bread mix we use. There are a few little things you do to give the presentation that little bit extra, but I am not going to put them on the public record.

Members interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: No, absolutely perfectly legal. I want to note my wife's cooking expertise through the Country Shows Association. I cannot remember which fruit mix it is, but she has managed to get to the regional awards, and I think she has gained a third on that in the last 12 months, so that is quite good.

One thing I must reflect on is a new section in the Coonalpyn Show, the packet mix section. Would anyone think that you would get a prize for making a packet mix? I said to my wife, 'What are you going to do? Do you have to match the photo on the front of the box?' She said, 'No, it's just a matter of trying to get people involved in cooking who maybe haven't as past generations have.' It was funny, but the night before one of the Coonalpyn shows, we had a group of ladies in our kitchen baking their packet mixes. So, it has certainly brought some of the locals together, and they had quite a bit of amusement making their packet mix cakes.

Certainly, there have been some highlights of the Show. I note that the member for Chaffey, when he was talking about going to the Show and the country boys with the moleskins, the RM Williams boots and the blue striped shirt. The Jumbuck Bar was certainly a place to meet and greet, especially on Thursdays at the rams sales at the Show.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Back to the ram show.

Mr PEDERICK: This was certainly a place to see people, and you always made sure that you were up there for the ram sales. I was there in 1989 when Collinsville broke the record. There is a photo of the back of me in the Collinsville book. One of my friend's girlfriends was with me, and I said to her, 'Please don't even flinch.' Because there was some Argentinian competition, there was quite a bit of publicity about where these rams might end up—and the top ram made $450,000.

In the photo in the book, my hair is a lot more tanned than it is now. It was heady days. Sadly, I do not think the ram was much good actually, but that is another story. There was certainly a lot of money around and a lot of hype and excitement. I must say that the Jumbuck Bar was a place where people met their future wife. It was certainly not the place where I met my future wife, but it was one—

Mr van Holst Pellekaan: But I bet plenty of others!

Mr PEDERICK: Careful. Certainly, on one of my first dates, I picked her up at work (she was working at Kinhill as an environmental scientist), and I said, 'We're going to the Show. Let's go.'

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

Mr PEDERICK: No. It was a great thing. It is interesting that, in the last couple of years, I had a significant birthday and Sally had managed to find on Gumtree somehow, in the background of a photo, one of the original Jumbuck Bar signs. So, that is proudly sitting on my verandah because the name of that bar has been changed.

Just in closing, the Show Society has done a magnificent job not just in Adelaide, but right across the state, and I am sure they will do a magnificent job over the next century and beyond. I do not know how you could do better than the function the other night celebrating the society’s 175^th anniversary. I know Richard Fewster worked on that. He was a bit nervous about it, but it went like clockwork. It was a great function to attend with quite a few colleagues from this house.

My final comment goes to acknowledge the contribution of the Mad Mouse ride at the sideshow. The Mad Mouse was very historic, and I certainly wanted the opportunity to ride it one last time when I found out it was leaving only a few years ago. So one night after sitting I shot down to the Show and had my last ride on the Mad Mouse, and that will stay with me forever.

The Hon. A. Piccolo: And it never worked again.

Mr PEDERICK: I refuse to respond.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PEDERICK: From a child attending the Show, enjoying all its attributes, until now, it has certainly touched me and my family and many thousands of people throughout South Australia, and it will do so into the future.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (12:56): I would like to acknowledge the contribution of other members to this motion and thank the member for Flinders for bringing it to our attention. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of all the people who have brought the Royal Show to Adelaide for generations of young people as well as families. I congratulate them.

I would also like to acknowledge the great work that the Gawler Show Society does in bringing an annual show to the town. It is the only remaining two-day country show in the state of South Australia. It is usually held a week before the Royal Show as it sort of ushers in the Royal Show. Ours being the second best show in the state after the Royal Show, it is appropriate that we welcome in the Royal Show.

There are a couple of things I would like to mention. The Gawler Show is still very good in terms of a whole range of products, animals and all the things that a traditional show has. It also has an ambassador program to introduce young people to the show and also get them to actually promote the show, which is a great thing. I am very privileged to be a patron of the Gawler Show Society, and this year’s show will be held on 30 and 31 August.

One thing I would like to mention in particular is the role of volunteers. Without volunteers we would not have a Gawler Show and we more than likely would not have a Royal Show either. Right throughout the state volunteers do a tremendous job in bringing the shows to our communities, so I would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by volunteers in bringing the shows to life.

I am not sure about other parts of the state, but certainly in Gawler the local service clubs do a really great job in helping out and providing the manpower to make sure the show goes ahead. One of the sad things we see as we go through rural and regional South Australia is the decline in the number of shows, which is really sad, because they really are, in my view, a celebration of community.

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (12:58): I would like to thank members from both sides of the house for their contributions this morning and their wonderful support for the Royal Show society here in Adelaide. We also heard some interesting and encouraging stories from rural and regional South Australia. Everybody has their own Show story by the sound of it. I would like to thank the minister for his comments and I concur with his recognition of volunteers. That has probably been overlooked in all of this: how critical they are to making not just the shows but any event right across the state work.

I will very quickly mention the few shows in my electorate of Flinders. In Cummins, my home town, I have probably attended every Show since the age of one. Tent-pegging is a relatively new event there, at Yallunda Flat—that lovely picnic setting. They had over 100 shows. The shearing competition is a real attraction there. The Port Lincoln Show, of course, has gone from two days back to one day, but it is held on the racecourse there in town.

The Lipson Show went into recess for a time, but the community there have reignited the interest in that show and it is now back on the show agenda. Wudinna, of course, is another big shearing show, and Cleve has moved its show to the autumn season to ensure its popularity. Kimba, just outside my electorate but in that of Giles, also has a show.

Thank you once again for all the support. I wish all the best to not just the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia for their 175^th anniversary, but also the shows right across the state for the upcoming Show season.

Motion carried.

Sitting suspended from 13:00 to 14:00.