Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, Royal Adelaide Show

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:25): I rise to make a contribution about what a week it was last week with the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia putting the Royal Show on fine display once again. I was fortunate enough to head along to the President's lunch, Andrew Bull Hardy being the host, with my lunch buddy, Jock Gosse, from the Cattlemen's Association—a great guy.

While I was there, over lunch, the Brenton Higgins Award was presented in memory of Brenton Higgins AM. It recognises significant effort, service and contribution to the South Australian dairy industry. It was presented on behalf of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia and the Dairy Industry Association of Australia's SA committee.

The award went to my colleague David Basham, who is a fifth generation dairy farmer. Pleasant Banks guernsey stud was started by Bun Basham, his grandfather. David attended his first South Australian/Western Australian branch AGM for the Guernsey Cattle Society of Australia in 1990. He was elected to the SA/WA committee in 1992, he became Junior Vice President in 1993, he was elected show convenor in 2000 but stepped down to become the treasurer of SA Dairymen's Association. He went on to be President of SADA for 10 years and served on the board for 18 in total. Also a longtime supporter of the show, he was nominated as the inspector for guernseys in 1993 and he continues that role today. In 1994, he was nominated as the steward for guernseys and continues to serve in both roles today. Congratulations to David on an award well deserved for dedication to an industry that he has long been a part of and represented. Also, this was before entering state parliament, so big congratulations to him.

I was a judge at the Science Investigation Awards—a great initiative for junior students from years 4 to 9 statewide. I think there were over 400 entries and the finalists, so we saw 85 entries. There was a good mix of metro and regional schools. Ramco Primary School from the Riverland entered and their drive was evident, as was their passion for science. They received a number of awards. It was great to see the Riverland there with a regional presence, particularly at the Citrus SA stand, with its many volunteers. It was a great experience of the Riverland—a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice is something that needs to be experienced.

Taking a step back, congratulations must go to Belinda Kay and her team and the judges for those Science Investigation Awards. It really is part of South Australia's science and investigation future.

The President of the ag and hort society board, Andrew Hardy, gave us an overview: 10,000 volunteers supported South Australia's largest attended event. It really was a sight to behold. I was also busy entering some of my cooking and jams. I was able to get a couple of new varieties in this year along with my dried apricot. I got a strawberry and Pimm's jam in this year, and it has an exceptional flavour, along with my fig and ginger, and my ruby red plum received a ribbon. I am sure everyone in this place would like to see a ribbon like this on their mantlepiece to support their show, whether it be a regional or a city show. I am challenging every MP in this chamber to support their show, whether they be a metro MP or a regional MP. Get in the kitchen and do something to support your show. Put an entry in and be proud of what you represent and the people you represent.

Even though this is only a third-place ribbon, it demonstrates my commitment to the Riverland, it demonstrates my commitment to the cookery section and it also demonstrates a passion for flavour and great colours. All of the entries within the cookery section, animal husbandry, animals, grains, woodchopping and all of these exhibitions are a great example of what South Australia has to offer on a national stage. I cannot thank the board, the volunteers and the Show Society enough.

Schools that participate in all of the opportunities at the Royal Adelaide Show are winners. Every schoolchild I saw there enjoyed the great experience of the Royal Adelaide Show. Again, my challenge is to every MP: get in the kitchen and do some cooking.

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey, firstly, congratulations on that fine-looking ribbon that I did not see displayed in the chamber. I want to reiterate what you said: we should all enter things in the Show. My dog Dusty won a blue ribbon first prize at the Kangaroo Island Show three years ago for the dog most like its owner. Dusty was drinking a beer at the time.