Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:45): Two weeks ago, four farmers from the Riverland and Mallee region were finalists, with three winning awards at the Adelaide Oval at the inaugural SA Grain Industry Awards. Jock McNeil, a farmer from Paruna received the Young Grain Producer of the Year Award. I have witnessed his innovative farming techniques and strategic soil improvement. Tim Paschke from Lowbank was awarded the Sustainability Award for his proactive methods in addressing issues relating to low rainfall—he grew a crop, which is 65 millimetres, last season—dealing with dryland salinity and enhancing environmental resilience.

Lou Flohr, a Mallee grain grower, was awarded the Women in Grain Award for her advocacy and leadership in advancing sustainable farming practices. Mallee farmer Andrew Thomas from Wynarka was also recognised as a finalist, with Andrew competing in the Grain Producer of the Year category. With the significant challenges our local farmers have faced, it was wonderful to see them acknowledged for their contributions to improving farming techniques and practices.

Congratulations to Jock, Tim, Lou and Andrew on encouraging growth in our farming industry and leading the way in innovative and resilient farming methods. Also, Andrew Polkinghorne from Eyre Peninsula was awarded Grain Producer of the Year—a great outcome. Our local winners and finalists are all developing cutting-edge technology, excelling in agricultural practices and contributing to a vibrant farming spirit. I also want to pay tribute to Mark Allison, CEO of Elders, as the major sponsor in what is a great event and will be a great event in the years to come.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:47): Like a number of members here in this chamber, I had the honour of attending the inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards at Adelaide Oval a fortnight ago. This event united 300 industry leaders, grain producers, researchers and agribusiness professionals to celebrate innovation, sustainability and leadership in the grain sector. In a recent Stock Journal article by Grain Producers SA Chair, John Gladigau, he emphasised how exceptional farmers are. They tackle problems head on, create long-term solutions, help without hesitation and voice concerns where necessary.

We all know farmers, researchers, advisers and advocates who tirelessly build on past legacies for a better future. These awards recognise those who have never sought recognition but have long deserved it. I commend Grain Producers SA, the sponsors and all those who organised this event. Congratulations to all the winners and Hall of Fame inductees. Special mention to Mid North honourees: Hall of Famer and former Adelaide Plains councillor John Lush; Grain Producer of the Year finalists Damien Sommerville and Kelvin Tiller; Young Grain Producer of the Year finalist Tim Cawrse; and Women in Grain Award finalist Kelly Turci. Your contributions advance our industry and provide hope for future generations.

Despite the current drought, these events are crucial for supporting each other, sharing knowledge and celebrating an industry that brings billions of dollars into our state and inspires us daily.

Time expired.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta) (15:48): Jennifer Cashmore's extraordinary service to our state and to this parliament was recognised at some length last year after her unfortunate passing. I want, however, to add a very small addendum to that. Last night, the Burnside Historical Society—and I commend their president, Roger Bills, and the committee for doing so—hosted an event presented by Dr Jenny Tilby-Stock, the historian who talked about Jennifer Cashmore, her courageous career and her achievements. Dr Tilby-Stock's presentation was excellent and filled in some aspects of her life that I had not been aware of and which I think many of the significant number of people who were in attendance learned about.

There was one particular story, which came after the presentation, from a senior health officer who served when Jennifer Cashmore was Minister for Health in South Australia. I will relay it now because nobody else did during the condolence motion; it was not something that we were aware of. He relayed that, upon attending her first meeting of the national Health Ministers' Council, not only was she the only woman in attendance at this health ministerial national council but she was also the only person, the only minister for health from this commonwealth, who was not smoking at the time.

Jennifer was the sort of person who would be appalled at something and would immediately speak up. She moved a motion, the first thing on the agenda at that Health Ministers' Council, that it become a no-smoking event. Everyone was shamed into passing it, and since then (I assume in 1979) the Health Ministers' Council has been nonsmoking. Of course, other nonsmoking causes that Jennifer Cashmore championed have also come to be normalised. I am sure that members of parliament can take pride in, and inspiration from, Jennifer Cashmore's example once again.

Ms SAVVAS (Newland) (15:50): I thought I would just take a moment today to congratulate the incredible winners of the Tea Tree Gully awards held on Australia Day this year at Sferas Park Suites and Convention Centre, which of course is soon to be acquired by Tea Tree Gully council. This is another really exciting moment for our community, to see what the council decides to do with that wonderful building.

I would like to acknowledge, first of all, the Tea Tree Gully Citizen of the Year. His name is Simon Nappa, and he is such an incredibly deserving recipient. I have come to know Simon over the last few years and have watched him as he has grown the Inclusive League at the Tea Tree Gully District Football Club. It has gone from strength to strength. Simon is just one of those down-to-earth, wonderful people who genuinely cares about inclusion and access, and of course all the relationships that he builds are a real and genuine testament to himself and his service in our local community. I would like to congratulate Simon on a well-deserved accolade.

I would also like to congratulate the Tea Tree Gully Lions Club, who received the community group of the year award. Just in December, we celebrated 60 years of the Tea Tree Gully Lions, and a number of those members have been members for about 40-odd years, if not longer. I would particularly like to congratulate the president, Lance Hoare, as well as his wife, Marilyn, who is also a Lions lady. I would like to also acknowledge Les, Stan, Bill, Geoff and Brian, as well as their Lions ladies, for their service to Tea Tree Gully Lions and our community over that 60-year period.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: May they roar forever. Sorry, it's a dad joke!