Motions

Country Shows

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (16:16): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that South Australia's 48 country shows play an important role in regional communities as a hub for social, business and broader economic activation;

2. Notes the contribution of Agricultural Societies Council of South Australia staff and the thousands of volunteers who make agricultural shows possible;

3. Acknowledges the important role that agricultural shows play in securing the next generation of primary industry leaders and innovators; and

4. Congratulates this year’s winners of South Australia's Young Rural Ambassador Award, Rural Ambassador Award, Young Judges' and Paraders' Championships.

Fresh produce, classic cars, horses in action, fashion parades, plenty of arts and crafts, loads of local businesses on site and so much more: there is something for everyone at a good old country show. As someone who grew up in the country, I understand how integral country shows are to communities, industry and succession.

We know that regions are the economic heart which pumps South Australia's prosperity. Regional South Australia contributes approximately $29 billion to our economy every year. We are world renowned for our food and fibre production and, as a state, we must have a plan in place to ensure the next generation is ready to take up the reins.

In an increasingly urbanised world, it is crucial for children to understand where their food and fibre come from and how it is produced. Country shows offer a unique and valuable opportunity for this kind of education.

One of the key reasons country shows are such an educational asset is the emphasis on hands-on learning. They feature interactive exhibits and activities that allow children to engage with the world of agriculture. Whether it is milking cows, sorting crops, or learning about the weird and wonderful varieties of chickens, these hands-on experiences are both fun and enlightening. They give children a chance to see, a chance to touch and a chance to experience aspects of primary production that might otherwise remain abstract concepts. They are the perfect place to explore the 'farm to plate' or 'farm to table' journey.

Visitors can witness the entire process of food production, from planting and harvesting to processing and cooking. There is absolutely no doubt that country shows are invaluable. Whilst creating an atmosphere of community and fun, they also, importantly, inspire children to learn about food production, agriculture and gain an appreciation for those in the agricultural industry.

Shows, at their core, showcase the life and vibrancy of regional areas. They are where farming ideas are shared, businesses collaborate and, importantly, are a great place for the community to get together socially. They also contribute significantly to the economy of a region, as people from all over the district and beyond congregate and require a place to sleep, eat and rehydrate.

I commend the Agricultural Societies Council of South Australia, better known by their trading name Country Shows SA, for their commitment to educating the public about the role of primary industries in our economy and in our everyday lives and, importantly, for inspiring and supporting the next generation of country leaders.

Agricultural shows play a crucial role in the development and advancement of young people, including young farmers and school leavers. We need young people coming through the primary industry sector who are passionate, excited and knowledgeable.

It is my pleasure to share some of the highlights from the young leaders' program supported by the Agricultural Societies Council of South Australia. The 2023 state Rural Ambassador is Lachy Johnson from Bordertown, and the 2023 South Australian Young Rural Ambassador is Mackenzie Wilson from Williamstown. Courtney Higgs from Naracoorte, who was the 2022 South Australian Rural Ambassador state winner, represented South Australia at the national finals in Launceston last month.

The young judges competition has young people across the state growing and perfecting their expertise in alpaca fleece, on-the-hoof beef cattle, beef cattle young paraders, dairy cattle, dairy cattle young paraders, grain, meat sheep on the hoof and on the hook, merino fleece, merino sheep, poultry and soil. These competitions help young people explore, learn and thrive in the agricultural industry ensuring the continued vitality and growth of the sector.

The rural ambassador and young judges programs are important to the next generation of agricultural leaders and innovators for several reasons, including increasing confidence and developing interpersonal communication skills, experiencing learning and leadership opportunities for accelerated skill development, creating a safe platform for business ventures and entrepreneurial testing in the agricultural space, the opportunity to experience new sectors and try new things in an environment where it is safe to fail and learn, exceptional networking and career opportunity discussions including mentorships and access to experts, and the general inspiration gained from hard work, putting yourself forward to have a go and preparing ahead.

I would like to take a moment to mention one of the most important cohorts of a country show, that is, the volunteers. Regional communities in general thrive on the community spirit of volunteering and working together. All 48 South Australian country shows are run by volunteer boards across local districts. It takes 12 to 24 months to plan for each show. Encouragingly, many shows have several young people on their boards who are passionate about agriculture and their local districts.

Volunteers are most often responsible for event planning and coordination, including exhibitor sales and registration, site safety and security, car parking logistics, liaising with local government and emergency services, competition entries, marketing, media engagement and booking entertainment. The set-up and pack-down of the site: as shows are often held in highly used community spaces like ovals or schools, the turnover is fast and often labour-intensive. Volunteers are also responsible for exhibitor assistance and information, both on the days of the event and in the lead-up to the show. They also assist in judging and coordinating of competitions and presentations, as well as associated demonstrations and main arena entertainment.

The Agricultural Societies Council of South Australia is the state body for the 48 country shows and eight associations of South Australia. Forgive my indulgence as I list them all now. In the central district we have Angaston, Mannum, Tanunda, Mt Pleasant and Mount Barker. On Eyre Peninsula we have Kimba, Yallunda Flat, Cummins, Cleve, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Wudinna and District. Over on Kangaroo Island we have Kingscote and Parndana. In our Murraylands we have Karoonda, Loxton and Pinnaroo.

Up in the northern areas we have Wilmington, Balaklava and Dalkey, Quorn, Melrose and Mount Remarkable, Jamestown, Burra, Clare, Kapunda and Light, Eudunda, Crystal Brook and Gawler. Across in the South-East, we have Kingston SE, Keith and Tintinara, Mil-Lel, Naracoorte, Mount Gambier, Penola, Millicent, Bordertown, Lucindale and Mundulla. The southern associations include Murray Bridge, Yankalilla, Rapid Bay and Myponga, Strathalbyn, Port Elliot, Coonalpyn, Callington, Uraidla and Summertown. Finally, on the Yorke Peninsula we have the Copper Coast show, Minlaton and Maitland.

Country shows are an economic boost to the towns through food, accommodation and other local goods and services, are often a central feature on a town's tourism calendar and are a source of civic pride. In summary, agricultural fairs are important to country towns because they preserve and promote the rural way of life and local heritage, stimulate the local economy, educate the community about agriculture and provide a platform for social interaction and cultural exchange. These events play a multifaceted role in enhancing the vitality and wellbeing of country communities right across our state.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.