Light Electorate

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:36): Today, I rise with immense pride and joy to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our local sporting teams and the outstanding success of the 2024 CCL Label Clare Valley Wine Show. A winning culture certainly swept through the Gawler region this year. It started with my beloved Willaston Donnybrooks. As a member of the club, I was pleased to see extraordinary performances by both the A-grade and reserves on the weekend to bring home both premierships in tightly contested matches, each decided by a mere three points.

Commiserations to Angaston in the A-grade and Gawler Centrals in the reserves, but it is heartening to see other Gawler clubs also tasting success on grand final day. Centrals triumphed in the under 17s and under 13s grand finals, while South Gawler emerged victorious in the under 15s.

Our community's winning streak extended beyond football. In netball, South and Centrals showcased their dominance, with South winning five of the seven senior premierships on offer; however, it was Centrals that took home the ultimate prize with the senior 1 premiership, along with victories in senior 4, inter 2 and junior 2 leagues. Willaston also managed to secure a win in the sub junior 2 category.

These achievements across football and netball reflect the dedication and hard work of our athletes, coaches, supporters and, most importantly, all the volunteers not just on grand final day but throughout the year and I congratulate them all. The tone for winning premierships was set the previous weekend, though, as the Gawler Hockey Club secured premierships in the A-grade women's and mixed under 14s in the Barossa Valley Hockey Association. It is the A-grade women's 11^th consecutive premiership, while the under 14s have now gone back-to-back. The club's mixed under 12s were declared winners as well, after finishing at the top of the ladder in their division.

The Gawler Strikers outfit were not as lucky as the C-grade men and the under 16s, but it is still a wonderful achievement. The Trinity Old Scholars Hockey Club also made us proud by winning the B-grade women's team premiership, clinching victory in overtime with a golden goal. Although Trinity narrowly missed out in the B-grade men's category, losing four to three in penalty shootouts, their effort and determination were commendable. Congratulations to all teams on making it to the grand finals and representing our community with such distinction.

Another thing I would like to turn to now is the 2024 CCL Label Clare Valley Wine Show. I had the privilege of representing the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development at this prestigious event that celebrated the exceptional quality and diversity of wines produced in the Clare and Gilbert valleys.

This year's show was a resounding success, with the Penna Lane 2024 Watervale Riesling shining brightly after receiving the highest honour, being awarded the Best Wine of Show. Other notable winners were Jim Barry Wines, who secured seven awards including Best Exhibitor of Show, Best Vintage Section Cabernet Sauvignon for their 2022 The Farm Cabernet, and Best Fortified Wine of Show for the 1975 Tawny. Pikes Wines also excelled, taking home several awards including Best Sweet White of Show for their 2023 First Cut Riesling and Best Rosé of Show for their 2024 Luccio Sangiovese Rosé.

I would also like to acknowledge Taylors, Paulett and Naked Run Wines for winning awards and Anthony Koerner for taking out the viticulturist award. These awards highlight the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that define our state's wine industry, and I congratulate everyone who presented at the event.

It is crucial to celebrate and support our wineries, especially given the challenges grapegrowers have faced in recent years. The Clare Valley is renowned for its world-class white and emerging red wines, and events like the CCL Label Clare Valley Wine Show play a vital role in promoting the region and its products. They provide a platform for our winemakers to showcase their talents and for us to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.

It is a privilege to be able to honour all these achievements by publicly acknowledging them in this chamber. Here is to hoping our community continues to nurture the remarkable potential within our region, allowing us to thrive and succeed long into the future—and, fingers crossed, the Donnybrooks can secure a back-to-back premiership next season.