Ag Town of the Year

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:59): My question is also to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister speak to the chamber about the recently announced Ag Town of the Year?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his question. The Ag Town of the Year Award was established in 2019 and recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices, as well as the flow-on effects to a township and a community. The award is an initiative of my department, PIRSA, and is managed and delivered by Solstice Media.

The award is so important because it promotes our regional communities and focuses on the vital role that agriculture plays in our state. South Australia's primary industries—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —and agribusinesses generated revenue of $18½ billion in the 2022-23 financial year and this certainly wouldn't be possible without the support of strong, vibrant, regional communities. Entering the award provides regional communities with the opportunity to reflect on their contributions to the state's primary industries and regional development, and it also facilitates public recognition of their town and contribution.

I am so pleased that the town of Penola, from my local Limestone Coast region, was announced as the Ag Town of the Year 2024 at the Regional Showcase Awards held at Beresford House in McLaren Vale. The well-deserving winning town has been rightfully recognised for its dedication to agriculture, agricultural education and its thriving community. Penola was certainly up against some worthy competitors with record nominations and public votes this year, and strong finalists Burra and Kimba were also recognised in the top three towns.

This year, a record 73 regional towns were nominated and over 3,600 public votes were cast. A panel of independent judges visited each of the towns as part of their judging process. Penola's agricultural pursuits, which include dairy, beef, lamb, grains, potatoes, forestry and wine, were highly valued by the judges. Penola has a deep commitment to agricultural education with their local agricultural program 'George the Farmer', which has assisted more than 600,000 children in Australian classrooms in their understanding of farming and where their food and fibre originates.

The judges also noted the high uptake of local ag programs, including in the curriculum at Penola High School. I would like to particularly commend Cory O'Connor who is a teacher at Penola High School and was also involved in the Rural Ambassador Program. I am told that he has been absolutely key in terms of promoting their ag program and is one of the reasons that the uptake has improved so much.

Penola was also praised for its flexibility and innovation, enabled by the town's deep understanding of local conditions. One example was mentioned, which included moving from hemp seed to hemp fibre production when conditions demanded it. It is also important to commend Penola for its strong community spirit and town pride, which contributed to the judges' decision.

Penola is the sixth winner of the Ag Town of the Year award after Cleve, 2019; Pinnaroo, 2020; Kimba, 2021; Mypolonga, 2022; and Wudinna, 2023. Penola is the first town in the Limestone Coast to win the coveted award. I would like to congratulate Penola and everyone who contributes to making Penola a great place to live and work.

The community of Penola should be incredibly proud of this wonderful achievement. It is the strength and spirit of the community which ultimately contributed to the town being named South Australia's Agricultural Town of the Year 2024. Congratulations.