Grievance Debate

South Australian Regional Awards

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:10): Today I rise to congratulate the individuals, community groups and businesses in the electorate of Chaffey who were worthy winners of the South Australian Regional Awards held in Waikerie recently. I note that the member for Hammond was there. With 383 nominations in the Murraylands and Riverland, it certainly added another level of interest to the Regional Awards this year. In fact, there was an impressive 2,346 nominations across the state, up on last year's figure of 1,949.

It was an honour to present an award on the night, to see proud winners receive their accolades and acknowledge the outstanding efforts of finalists. I would like to briefly speak about some of the award winners in my electorate. The Riverland Youth Theatre was given the Dr+Group Arts Award. The Riverland Youth Theatre offers 3,000 young people annually, aged between five and 26, across the Riverland, opportunities to develop their creative expression, performance and technical skills in the context of their own community and culture since it was created in 1985. Well done to Michael Pater and his team.

The Glenview Poultry Farm won the Telstra Small Business Award. The Glenview Poultry Farm is the Riverland's only commercial egg farm supplying fresh free-range and cage eggs to the Riverland, Sunraysia and Mallee area. Darren, his staff, and particularly his family who are very active in the community, are passionate about the egg industry. You could say that they are quite 'egg-centric' about their business.

Almondco Australia won the Food South Australia Regional Food Award. They also won the Telstra Large Business Award. Almondco, Australian based in the Riverland, was constructed by almond growers under the cooperative approach. Recently I attended the 70-year celebrations for the world leaders in the nut industry, with 85 per cent of Australian growers involved with the state-of-the-art business. Export sales represent 45 per cent of Almondco's sales, and Brenton Woolston, his team and the board of directors are reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Friends of the Pinnaroo Wetlands won the Adelaide Showground Community Group Award, which was a great reward for a lot of hard work by that community. It was a pleasure to attend the official launch of the fantastic wetland project, which is a great example of what can be achieved by a passionate group of volunteers in a small community. The wetland is a strong asset to the town and has been used and contributed to by people across Australia. Jill Nickolls and her group of volunteers deserve that recognition.

The lovely Gwen Webber OAM won the Seniors Card Community Individual Award. Gwen is a popular character in the Waikerie community, having lived there all her life. As a passionate volunteer for a local senior citizens home, schools, church groups and sporting groups, to name a few, she writes a regular column in The River News—and when I say 'regular', it has been published for 15 years consecutively. Gwen was a deserving winner.

The Murray Mallee Aged Care Group won the WorkCover SA Health Award. The Murray Mallee Aged Care Group is a local not-for-profit aged care service provider, offering home care to ageing rural people across a 3,500 square kilometre region. The group is very important to my electorate, serving more than 100 clients. Well done to the board and everyone involved.

A favourite of mine, 919 Wines, received the Primary Industries and Regions South Australia Regional Wine Award. Eric and Jenny Semmler at 919 Wines are changing the face of the Riverland wine industry. Eric was recently named the Winestate Australian Winemaker of the Year, and the winery has won flow-on accolades in recent times. This award recognises the efforts that Eric and Jenny contribute not only to the wine industry but to the Riverland overall.

The Discover Murray River won the StatewideSuper Tourism Award. Discover Murray River is Australia's only tourism and travel promoter on the Murray, from source to sea, through South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, established in 1988. Shane Strudwick has done a fantastic job in promoting the Riverland and the Mallee.

I now turn to Meg Gillespie. I have watched Meg over the last five years really blossom. She received the Leukaemia Foundation Youth Award. Meg is a bright and talented young girl who has volunteered much of her time to many organisations. Congratulations. I would also like to acknowledge the finalists: Clint and Liz Frankel, Karyn Skewes, 919 Wines again, Arissto Coffee, Berri District Youth Club, Nancy Murdock, Pinnaroo Golf Club, Arissto Coffee once again and Banrock Station. They have all done a great job, including Caudo Vineyards with its True Grit event. It was extremely encouraging to see so many individuals, community groups and businesses from the Riverland and Mallee acknowledged at these regional awards. Just to see their passion and innovation is an inspiration to all.