Munda Wines

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:24): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Can the minister tell the council about the success of Munda Wines in the inaugural First Nations Exporter Award?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:24): I thank the honourable member for his question and it would give me very great pleasure to inform the chamber. The Australian Export Awards are Australia's longest running business awards program and exists to celebrate the achievements of exporters and recognise their contribution to the country's economic prosperity. After joint advocacy from both the South Australian and Western Australian governments, this year has seen the introduction of a First Nations exporter category for the first time in the 63-year history of the awards—it is fantastic to see the recognition and the growing contribution of Aboriginal enterprise globally.

Six Indigenous finalists were named in this landmark category: Aldridge Rail Group from New South Wales; Elephant in the Room Consulting from Queensland; Ikuntji Artists from the Northern Territory; Jala Jala from Victoria; Kirikin from WA; and Munda Wines from South Australia. I am exceptionally proud to see that the inaugural winner of the First Nations export category was Munda Wines, an exceptional South Australian company. Munda Wines is led by Wirangu and Kokatha man, Pauly Vandenbergh, and is an Aboriginal-owned premium wine company that celebrates and shares culture, connection and country through its unique blends named after the traditional lands on which they are produced.

Munda Wines has gone from strength to strength since releasing its first two wines: a shiraz from Kaurna country, followed by a grenache from Ngadjuri and Peramangk country. In just a few years Munda Wines have already broken into the Canadian and Malaysian markets and are on track to break into the United States.

I would like to congratulate all the finalists in their categories and acknowledge the success and recognition of their contribution to the Australian economy. But, of course, I would particularly pay tribute to Munda Wines and in particular congratulate its founder, Pauly Vandenbergh. Pauly Vandenbergh is an extraordinary South Australian. He was a top-level basketball player—played NBL in Australia—and you just have to ask him and he will tell you how good he was at basketball, without too much more reference. However, I haven't seen him play lately in his advancing years.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Twilight years.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: His twilight years. I got to know Pauly Vandenbergh very well when he was working for the Port Adelaide Football Club in their Aboriginal and community programs division. I would be at some of the most remote places in South Australia—Oak Valley or on the APY lands—and regularly I would have comments from people, 'Pauly was just here a couple of weeks ago.' He crisscrossed the state, making sure Aboriginal kids in some of the most remote communities were having access to football programs and helping improve their lives, whether it was at an Ernabella dance or putting on carnivals. Pauly Vandenbergh is one human being that I most admire for the contribution that he has made. If anyone deserves outrageous success, it is Pauly and Munda Wines.