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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-27 Daily Xml
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Grievance Debate

AGRICULTURE AWARDS

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:29): I have the privilege today to pay a tribute to rural residents, businesses and organisations whose contributions in some way have benefited all regional industries. I first make mention of some winners in the Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture awards of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, which I was fortunate to attend the other evening.

The first cab off the rank that I want to talk about today is the Services to Primary Production Award won by Phil Roberts, who happens to be an agricultural teacher at the Coomandook Area School, the local school that my two lads attend. He is the vice president of the local agricultural bureau branch and involved with the River Murray Youth Council, he is the vice president of the teachers association of South Australia, involved in Landcare and the national agricultural teachers organisation, and also is the editor of the South Australian teachers' magazine. During the 1990s he established a website to connect teachers around the nation to facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources and to improve agriculture education.

Phil Roberts said the most satisfying thing for him was watching students grow and take on more challenging tasks that often involved leadership and managerial responsibilities. His dedication is in part aimed at helping students to enjoy agriculture and see it as a real career option rather than just a job. I really endorse those comments. Phil is a friend of mine and he does a great job at the local school.

I also want to talk about young Jason Schulz of Coonalpyn, who won the Peter Olsen Fellowship for his work in genetics and cattle breeding. With his wife Penny he developed a Limousin stud at Coonalpyn, where they have combined Limousin and Angus cattle to produce Black Limousin composites. This award enables Jason to undertake further study into genetics and cross-breed performance data that will support his own research and development, and he will take that trip through the United States.

Another winner was Abbey McKenna of Naracoorte, who won the Rural Youth Bursary. I had Abbey speak to a group with which I was involved with a commitment to teaching students who face various challenges, including social, cultural and emotional difficulties. This award enables Abbey to undertake study in Sudan. Jared Schmaal of Saddleworth won the Lois Harris Scholarship for achieving the highest tertiary entrance rank to study for a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide. Well done.

The other night I attended the SA Great awards for the Murray and Mallee, and I just want to mention some winners from my electorate. Young Jeremy Shutz, when he was attending the Lameroo Regional Community School, won the Adelaide Showground Youth Award for his work in organising a 45 kilometre walk from Lameroo to the Victorian border to raise money for the Victorian bushfire relief appeal. His involvement with the local CFS had exposed Jeremy to the devastation of bushfires and he saw this as a way to make a positive contribution to the relief campaign.

I also want to acknowledge the Swan Reach and District Museum's SA Tourism Commission Award. A small town of 260 people, Swan Reach established the museum only eight years ago, and it now has more than 3,000 visitors a year. In the past three years, volunteer involvement has doubled and the visits have increased by 63 per cent.

I also acknowledge Anthony and Rachel Hartwell of Karoonda, who won the Westpac Community Individual Award for their tireless work with the Karoonda Football Club and the community. All clubs have their stalwarts—their silent achievers—who quietly make things happen for others, but the Hartwells established a social inclusion project to assist a number of local youth with social and financial difficulties to join, train and play for their local club. This proved to be very beneficial in many aspects of community life.

Also, Murraylands Training and Employment, a Murray Bridge based non-profit agency, won the Australia Post Small Business Award for providing the region with outstanding service over many years, and I congratulate John and Monica Muelengraf and their staff on an outstanding effort in what they do with getting trainees and apprentices placed throughout the region.

The final winner in my electorate of Hammond was T&R Pastoral of Murray Bridge, which won the Australia Post Large Business Award. Not only is it a major meatworks but it is also a primary producer, which has grown up in the heart of rural South Australia. It has shown great commitment to the local community and is a significant employer in the region, employing about 1,300 people, which makes it the biggest regional employer in South Australia. I congratulate and pay tribute to all these worthy winners and thank them for their contribution to the fabric of life in this state.

Time expired.

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