Country Shows

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:37): I rise today to speak about the spring season of South Australian Country Shows, which commences this weekend with both the Crystal Brook show on Saturday the 12^th and the Port Lincoln show on the 13^th. The following weekend, 19 and 20 August, will see both the Kadina and Whyalla shows conducted. Then on 26 and 27 August, the show I have probably been to more than any other, the Gawler show, will be held, with horses in action the previous day.

In September, after the Royal Show, we have the Wudinna Districts show on the 16^th and Wilmington on the 17^th. The Murray Bridge show is held on the night of the 22^nd and 23^rd, with horses in action on the 24^th. The Balaklava and Dalkey show is held on the 23^rd, with horses in action on the 24^th. The Kimba show is on the 23^rd and Quorn is on the 24^th. On 30 September is the Mount Remarkable (Melrose) show and also the Yankalilla, Rapid Bay and Myponga show.

On 1 October, we have the Kingston South-East show, with horses in action on the 2^nd. Also on 1 and 2 October, we have the Loxton show. Strathalbyn also has show day on 2 October, with horses in action on the previous day. Also on Monday 2 October are the Jamestown and Yallunda Flat shows. The two Wednesday shows that remain on the calendar are on 4 October, the Southern Yorke Peninsula show at Minlaton and the Pinnaroo Show and Field Day.

On 7 October, the Burra, Keith and Mil-Lel shows will be held. On the weekend of 7 and 8 October, the Port Elliot show will be held, and I wish them very good weather because that show was cancelled last year. On 14 October, both Clare and Cummins will conduct their shows. Also that weekend, 14 and 15 October, is the Naracoorte show. On 20 and 21 October, there is Mount Gambier's annual show. Also on 21 October is the Coonalpyn show. On 28 October are both the Kapunda and Light and Kingscote shows. Penola conducts their show over that weekend, 27 and 28 October, and on 29 October is the Callington show.

Into November, the Millicent show, a three-day show, is on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th. Uraidla is held on the 5^th, Parndana on the 11^th and Eudunda (one that I have gone to many times) is on Sunday the 12^th. Completing that program for spring shows is the Bordertown show, which is held on 11 and 12 November.

The country shows in South Australia have had an important revitalisation in many cases through the involvement of the Next Generation Group, which is a group of young people who have been young rural ambassadors or rural ambassadors at country shows throughout the state. It is a very creditable organisation which has brought together those young people, not only into a group around South Australia to work together but also to play an invaluable role in the leadership of their own local shows.

I would be remiss if I did not give a bit of an extra mention to the Gawler show, the 161^st Gawler show, which is, as I said earlier, on 26 and 27 August. It is one that I have attended, I think, every year of my life, except one. It is the largest country show in South Australia, which given good weather can attract about 30,000 people over the two days. I will again this year have a stall at that show, along with the member for Schubert, and look forward to seeing many people come along to see us at what is a wonderful South Australian event.