Matters of Interest

Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:43): On 10 July I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival held at the historic Brick Dairy Pavilion in the Adelaide Showgrounds. This is the first time since 1913 that this building has been used for an event of this kind.

This three-day event showcased the very best of South Australian, Australian and international beer and cider, with 36 exhibitors: 27 from South Australia, five national and four international. It was paired with a contingent of some of South Australia's best restaurant and chefs cooking up a barbecue bonanza in the beer garden. Over 150 products were showcased. Some were launched at the event and some were made specifically for the event. Local live musicians and DJs set an ambient backdrop to this heavenly festival of open fires, artisans and master chefs.

Despite the subzero ambient temperature, the organisers of this event, with key support from PIRSA, Network 10 and Coopers, managed to successfully attract 6,000 attendees over the three days. Directly employing 40 people, with another 100 working on site, this event was yet another feather to South Australia's brand cap that will no doubt support local industry and innovation well beyond the event itself. Gareth Lewis, on behalf of the three business partners, said:

The ABBF team was overwhelmed and flattered by the response of the beer loving public to our event on the coldest weekend to hit the city in four years. We have already had praise and great feedback from event organisers in other states and significant interest from brewers for the 2016 event.

What really made this event great was witnessing the local bricks and mortar businesses which, instead of whining about competition, cashed in on the foot traffic that this event generated. The Goodwood Park Hotel was packed that evening, clear signage and a warm interior beckoning festival goers to continue their revelry. Further up the road, the Goodwood Institute and the South Australian Music Hall of Fame put on another sensational event celebrating John Reynolds' induction into their esteemed ranks. Yet again, this event was sold out.

I still fondly remember gazing in John Reynolds' Drum City as a young aspiring drummer of little means, dreaming about the new drum kits displayed and wondering how I was ever going to afford them. That was about 1996-67 for me and, with the introduction of decimal currency, the price seemed to double. I was horrified, thinking that I could never afford one. However, as he has done with many an aspiring drum hero, he made my and many others' dreams come true. This is despite the fact that I never have forgiven him for selling me Jim Chapin's book on independence, under instruction from Bruce Matthew, my teacher: it drove me crazy.

I was thrilled to hear that John Reynolds' commitment, contribution to and support of the music industry had been most deservedly acknowledged by his induction into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame. Premier Jay Weatherill had this to add:

John Reynolds has been a significant part of the Adelaide music industry for more than three decades, as a celebrated musician and entrepreneurial businessman. When you mention his name to anyone in the local industry, the words that come back include supportive, generous and, of course, a recognition of John as a very fine drummer!

I would like to congratulate John Reynolds on being inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.

In light of this, I must say that councillor Anne Moran's recent comments on pop-ups and Renew Adelaide ventures infuriated me, and I quote:

It is a cancer—a necrotising fasciitis to have popups and Renew Adelaide going through.

The handful of people who Anne Moran advocates for are no doubt the same people who ring and complain every time there is a concert or an event in the city. Coupled with developers, these are the people who will turn the city into a well-resourced private retirement home for its elderly citizens and maintain Adelaide's reputation for being heaven's waiting room. The Adelaide City Council has applied to become an UNESCO music city, which could fail if the council continues to restrict artists from performing.

I cite another example: the Electra House Hotel's licence conditions prohibit live music. Only background music shall be permitted, so artists such as James Morrison, Joseph Moore, Guy Sebastian, the Germein Sisters or even a string quartet are excluded from performing at this multimillion dollar establishment—further evidence, I believe, that the Adelaide City Council should be excluded from planning and licensing in the CBD.

I respectfully request and urge the Liberal opposition to stop the whining and to get on board and support South Australia's young entrepreneurs. Rather than moaning about young people leaving Adelaide, they could join us in making Adelaide one of the vibrant entertaining cities of the world.