Chaffey Electorate

The Hon. T.J. WHETSTONE (Chaffey—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:29): The Riverland sporting scene has a rich history of producing professional athletes, and it is a testament to the strong competition in the Riverland that the region is so well represented at elite national and international levels.

Former Loxton local Grant Schubert has enjoyed an illustrious hockey career. Recently, he was inducted to the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, where he was recognised for his outstanding deeds on the hockey field in national and international competitions. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of cycling great, Anna Meares, and Aussie Rules legend John Cahill. Grant joins this prestigious group after a stellar career in hockey that saw him earn six international titles. Schubert won gold at the 2004 Athens games and was World Hockey Young Player of the Year in 2003. He also played in teams that won a Commonwealth Games gold, a World Cup and three Champion Trophies.

Alex Hill is another Loxton lad also making waves in the international sporting world. Over the weekend, Alex and his teammates in the Australian men's coxless four were named 2018 World Rowing Men's Crew of the Year, and he and his teammates, Spencer Turrin, Joshua Hicks and Jack Hargreaves, were recognised for a fantastic 12 months, which included their second consecutive world championship win at the World Rowing Awards dinner in Germany.

Alex, who has had a fantastic year, also made up the team that won the Grand Challenge Cup at the 2018 Royal Henley Regatta in the UK earlier this year before also winning the 2018 New South Wales single scull title and the 2018 state of origin interstate single scull title for South Australia in the 150^th year of the Australian interstate sculling competition. We also cannot forget the 2016 silver Olympic medal in Rio.

Karri McMahon was among the Hockeyroos team that were silver medallists in the Champions Trophy played in China over the weekend. Karri started her hockey career for the Berri Hockey Club in the Riverland, before moving to Adelaide to play for the Adelaide Peas. McMahon was a member of the Australian women's national field hockey team that was a gold medal winner at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a member of the team that went to the 2016 summer Olympics, all of which are fantastic achievements.

Chaffey award winners include:

Nicole Pitman, of Kingston Estate Winery, recognised as Viticulturist of the Year at the 2018 Australian Women in Wine Awards;

Ashley Ratcliffe, of Ricca Terra Farms, awarded Best Alternative Variety Wine in Show and Best Dry Red Wine at the Riverland Wine Show;

Jim Markeas, of Mallee Estate Winery, who tasted success at the New York International Wine Competition, taking home the Riverland Winery of the Year in the International Individual Award;

Roger Hefford and Megan McKenzie, of Waikerie Olive Grove, took home a silver award for Distinguished Olive Oil at the 2018 Royal Adelaide Show;

Davia Smith, from Renmark, who took home first place in the artisan category at the 2018 Australian Marmalade Festival—another great Riverland jam maker;

Jackson Wickham, from Renmark, recognised as the 2018 Young Achiever by the Wooden Boat Association of South Australia;

the Renmark Club, which recently took out multiple awards at the Clubs SA Awards, including Regional Club of the Year, Best Entertainment, Hospitality Team of the Year, and Best Function Venue. Chef Joshua Hatch was also awarded Club Chef of the Year. Congratulations to the manager, Darren Baker, and his team;

Ceobahn Webber-Wilson received the Australian Scouting Medallion for her outstanding commitment to her local community and the Waikerie scouts;

Nanda De Winter, of St Joseph's Primary School in Barmera, recognised as the 2018 Teacher of the Year by the Australian Association of Special Education.

Jeff and Paul Butters, of Laser Electrical and Plumbing, awarded the Best in Business at the Business of the Year Awards at the 2018 Lasercon Conference;

the team at Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve received this year's Fairfax Media Landcare Community Group Award at the 2018 National Landcare Awards;

the Berri Swimming Club and the Riverland Dinghy Club, who both received Starclub Accreditation;

Tom Edwards and the team from Loxton Amcal Pharmacy, awarded the 2018 Amcal Pharmacy of the Year Award;

the Riverland Dinghy Club Championship Series, recognised as the Event of the Year at the 2018 Riverland Citizen of the Year awards, Samantha Hauptman was Young Person of the Year and Jean Voigt was awarded Citizen of the Year;

Stephen and Marianne Lynch, awarded Grand Champion Orchid Award at the Loxton Show, a great achievement by dedicated flower growers; and

Marnie Townsend was announced as the 2018 Renmark Rose Festival Ambassador.

It has been a very successful period for the Chaffey electorate. It is a prime example of what, with hard work and dedication, individuals in small rural communities can achieve at an elite level.

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