Chaffey Electorate

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:22): I would like to talk about some of the events happening in Chaffey. As we all know, when spring is in the air, Chaffey is the best place to be. Obviously, sporting events are a great tradition in country South Australia and no more so than the winter sports coming to the finals and coming to an end. Over the last week or so, I have seen some outstanding sporting results and events.

The RFL at Waikerie saw a number of results, but Barmera-Monash just revelled in the finals experience. The under 13s got up. The under 15s was won by Renmark, and Renmark has been a formidable force all year. In the Under 18s, again Barmera-Monash got the chocolates and they were the successors.

In the B-grade, I watched Waikerie get over Loxton, where Mitchell White for Waikerie was best on ground. The A-grade game was much anticipated. Renmark have won the last three grand finals, but not this year. Barmera-Monash got up over Renmark and it was a hard-fought contest where Michael Mock was awarded best on ground. So congratulations.

The Riverland Netball Association grand final also saw some great outcomes. In the A1s, Loxton got up and Aimee Holmes was best on court. In the A2s, Renmark got up and Tegan Moldovan was awarded best on court. In the B1s, Berri were the winners and Kristy Reid was awarded best on court. In the B2s, Barmera got the goods done and Lara Ambaras was awarded best on court. Congratulations to the senior teams and also congratulations to all the junior teams. It was great sportsmanship undertaken by all the codes and all the teams and it was great to see.

Also, on the weekend just gone, all the action was down at Wunkar. It was great to be there to watch the first season running of the Riverland Independent Football League and Independent Netball Association that had recently separated from the RFL. As I said, it was hosted by Wunkar, home of the Bulldogs. We saw Sedan Cambrai get up over Browns Well. It was a good game. At half-time it was tightly fought but Sedan Cambrai got up in that last quarter and got the job done. A-grade netball saw Blanchetown Swan Reach get the win and the B-grade netball saw Murrayville, which is a new addition into the league, get the win. Congratulations to all of them.

I have attended many spring events of late, including the Loxton Historical Village's 50^th anniversary at Loxton on the banks of the mighty Murray. We saw a great spectacle of historic yesteryear themes: vintage preserved items, machinery and vehicles of local historical significance at their finest. We saw the Alive Day, which is a themed clothing day. Many people dressed up and really did look spectacular. There were many classic cars, whip cracking, sheep shearing, street parades, markets and live music—just a few of the attractions that really did make the day a great spectacle.

It was great to have Her Excellency the Governor the Hon. Frances Adamson AC officially open the day and unveil the commemorative plaque. I was able to give thanks to the volunteer group who do an outstanding job in not only making sure that the historical village remains operational and functional but that it is a spectacle and a great tribute to them at Loxton.

Tomorrow is going to be the Riverland Field Days, held at Barmera. The field day site was once known as the Field and Gadget Day. Once upon a time the Field and Gadget Day was about farmers and growers coming together to show off some of their entrepreneurial skills in making life easier as a farmer. What we are seeing now is new technology leading the way. I will be relocating my office to the field days.

Do not forget the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival coming up mid-spring and, of course, the gala dinner at The Precinct in Loxton. The Calperum Bush Ball is also coming up as well as the Waikerie and Districts Community Flower Show where there will be some great floral tributes.

I must say in closing that all these sporting and community events only happen with the support of volunteers, so I say to all those volunteers: thank you.