Grievance Debate

Country Shows

Ms PRATT (Frome) (15:05): I happily rise today to speak on the fantastic existence of the South Australian country shows and to celebrate the contribution they make back into all our regional electorates. Nationally, agricultural shows and field days bring rural and urban communities together to showcase Australia's finest food and fibre. These events play a crucial role in supporting on-farm innovation and efficiencies within agricultural industries.

Nationwide, country shows contribute more than a billion dollars to our economy annually. They attract more than six million attendees through the gates and, most importantly, they are supported by about 50,000 volunteers across the country, which is extraordinary. There are 35 country shows so far as part of the South Australian spring country shows season. Our country shows attract volunteers, as I mentioned, but I make special mention of a lovely couple I come across week in and week out, year in, year out. They are affectionately known as the M&Ms, but of course I refer locally to Marg and Mike Smith.

Patrons like the M&Ms rock up not just for the event; in the example of the recent Clare Show, the next day they were back on the field picking up, sadly, some of the rubbish that had been left behind. We know that shows like this bring out the best in all of us. It is also an opportunity for an entire township to focus on the single event and to make sure that young and old get involved.

As I mentioned, it certainly stimulates the local economy. We know that businesses' programs are printed and we have a real flavour of the show coming back into the town where it is being hosted. Sadly, in recently years COVID has denied towns a chance to celebrate these significant local events. With increased operating costs and an increase in insurance premiums, especially when insurance premiums have gone up where eventing horses have been involved, what locals have raised with me over the last two years as shows have been cancelled is the sacrifice people make to put them on and the disappointment when they are cancelled.

I want to make special mention of all the organising committees associated with the rural horticultural and agricultural shows across South Australia. They are all led by presidents, and the executive teams have their own annual general meetings and are accountable for the moneys earned and the outgoing revenue, but it is their time and dedication, I think, their commitment to putting on a fun event, something the young kids and their families can look forward to that we are most grateful for.

In recognising everyone who lives in a local town and who has been a part of donating their time to be on an organising committee, I extend my thanks. We know that for many volunteers the case is that once you volunteer the first time you tend to stick around, and many of the organising committee members I referred to have taken on this role for many decades and, as a result, have seen their efforts recognised in Queen's Birthday honours celebrations in past years.

If you are driving around looking for a town to visit in the month of November, I recommend the following opportunities: you can travel down south to the Millicent agricultural show; you can head up to the Hills and visit Uraidla; Bordertown, again on the way to the South-East, will be hosting its spring festival; and Parndana over on the island. Close to my heart, at the end of my show season for spring, is the Eudunda Show on 13 November. It is the last show of the year for me in the electorate of Frome.

I reflect on all the shows I have been participating in over the last couple of months. It is something that would be foreign to a lot of the Labor city members, that is, the importance of booking your site and setting up your tent. We have all done it. The volunteers wrap around us. It is a day to check out the dog trials, to buy some local produce, to meet up with volunteers and to celebrate an entire community coming together for one cause, and one positive cause.

I certainly want to wish all the primary producers well, and I hope that, in the face of this very inclement weather they have been having, their spring and summer seasons of country shows remain strong and sustainable as they have done over the last few years.