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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-10-17 Daily Xml
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WOOL, WINE AND

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15:34): We all know of the great sadness and human suffering that are part of the drought that encompasses not only South Australia but also almost all of rural Australia. I was inspired a couple of days ago when speaking to a friend of mine who is very badly affected by drought, when he said that the best drought assistance we could have is education for our children and science for our crops. So, I determined that today I would speak about something that I see as a positive move of self-help within South Australia, that is, the Wine, Wool and Wheat Country Education Fund. Wool, Wine and Wheat is an organisation that was established in the Clare Valley in 2005. It was designed to promote the region's wine and food tourism industry. Despite having a world-acclaimed wine industry and an ever-expanding number of food businesses, it was felt that the region lacked large-scale promotional events. In an effort to promote the region and in the belief that the future will depend on the region's youth, Wool, Wine and Wheat established a youth education fund based on the already established Country Education Foundation, which is based interstate.

The vision of the Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund is to foster further education, career and personal development opportunities for rural youth by providing material assistance and also through instilling regional pride, encouraging new industries, promoting tourism and encouraging community involvement. In partnership with the Country Education Foundation of Australia, the Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund has been established to focus on youth, schools, the community and business, with an underlying theme of the wool, wine and wheat industries. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage young people to remain in the region and to build a successful future based on primary industry.

The Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund will assist the local communities, schools and businesses of Clare, Burra, Balaklava, Riverton and Snowtown. The fund is committed to the future success and prosperity of the region. The Wool, Wine and Wheat Committee is the brainchild of Jane Wilson of Neagles Rock Wines, and it now comprises a group of dedicated people who believe in the future success and sustainability of the region in which they live. They believe that, with the right training and educational opportunities, youth in the region who may not otherwise be in a position to be able to pursue their passions will be able to remain and find jobs and positions in the region.

Wool, Wine and Wheat's hard work will help to lift the region's profile and, in doing so, provide important tourism and business opportunities. This in turn will ensure that young people will have an opportunity to remain in their local area. At a time when our country communities are facing unprecedented hardship and, as a result, young people are leaving the land and rural communities in droves, this initiative is extremely welcome. Funds for the Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund will come from its membership base; corporate, business and individual donations; community group support; sponsored events; and local festivals. Funds raised will provide scholarships or other financial assistance to improve educational and career opportunities for local youth. The Wool, Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund will launch grant opportunities to local schools later this year, with the initial round of grants awarded to young people in 2008. Throughout 2008, wool, wine and wheat products will be showcased, and a weekend festival is planned.

As a resident of Clare, I fully support this initiative and, indeed, this country education fund, which I hope will be taken up by other regions throughout South Australia. I am proud to be associated with an organisation which seeks to ensure a prosperous future for the region. The communities of Clare, Balaklava, Riverton and Snowtown are, like much of the country, suffering enormous hardship. I see this as a shining light for these communities, and I have no doubt that it will make a considerable contribution to ensuring a bright future for the region. I applaud those involved for their hard work in promoting and developing the region and, indeed, for the inception of this education fund. Next year, a series of social events will be held, and I will take pleasure in inviting all members to buy a ticket and attend.

Time expired.

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