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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-14 Daily Xml
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South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister inform the chamber about the recent regional showcase awards—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Mr President, can you please protect me from this outrageous outburst.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley, you don't look like you are scarred at all. Play on.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Okay. My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister inform the chamber about the recent Regional Showcase awards celebration event, which included the announcement of the AgTown of the Year winner for 2023?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question. It was a real privilege and pleasure to attend the Regional Showcase awards celebration last Thursday evening at the picturesque Vale Brewing, Restaurant and Bar in McLaren Flat.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am sorry to hear that those opposite are not interested in this important regional event, and therefore they are jumping in with various interjections. I think it is a real shame that those opposite are again showing their disregard for the regions.

The event is delivered by Solstice Media, publishers of InDaily, and is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) as its major sponsor. Now in its 24th year, the Regional Showcase awards aim to shine a spotlight on regional South Australia by uncovering and showcasing stories of success that demonstrate the richness and strength of our regions.

Several awards are announced on the night, and of course the most prominent of those, in my view at least, is the title of AgTown of the Year. This competition is now in its fifth year, and the award highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in the regional landscape, recognising towns that are supporting advanced agricultural practices, thriving primary industries and regional development. By promoting the strengths and successes of regional industries and communities, the award aims to play a role in attracting and retaining people to regional locations.

I think I have previously informed the chamber about how tightly fought this year's contest has been, with the independent judging panel convening for an extra day to select the three finalist towns. I have also been informed that splitting the finalists to actually announce and choose a winner was not any easier. The judging panel travelled to each town and met with prominent locals to discuss how each town supports primary industries, invests in leadership development activities, demonstrates resilience and attracts people to move in and call these townships home.

The judges emphasised how compelling each case was, and this was reflected in the high-quality video content that was showcased at the awards ceremony. Ultimately, however, there can be only one winner and the 2023 AgTown of the Year was announced as Wudinna. Wudinna is a town of just 548 people, with agriculture at the heart of its history and at the heart of its future.

The huge 70-tonne sculpture at the entrance to the town, the Australian Farmer Statue, captures the contribution that farming has made to the township and also to the broader region. Carved out of the rich granite deposits that surround the town, its design is embellished with grain crops and sheep, symbolising the lifeblood of the region—dryland farming. Agriculture employs 43.8 per cent of the town's workforce and makes up 73.5 per cent of the town's exports, so clearly a very significant industry.

Wudinna is a hub for Eyre Peninsula's grain, cattle and sheep industries. Major agribusinesses, farming machinery and earthmoving suppliers are based in the town, which is also home to a leading low-rainfall research body, the farmer-owned AIR EP, as well as the Eyre Peninsula Cooperative Bulk Handling, which supports grain storage, handling and supply chain logistics.

Looking to the future, the judging panel was particularly impressed by how agriculture has been incorporated into the local area school's curriculum, with each year level from reception to year 12 delving into aspects of plant and animal production. The judging panel also highlighted how the community is demonstrating resilience by using the good times to prepare for the bad, by putting together an adverse event plan as well as other strategic plans. Wudinna will now receive town signage noting its achievement, a community celebration event and promotion through SALIFE magazine and InDaily. Once again, I would like to thank all the 49 regional towns nominated for the award.

To finish off, also awarded on the night was the PIRSA-sponsored Regional Resilience Award, won by Riverland Wine, and photographer Matt Wilson, for their photo exhibition at the National Wine Centre. This exhibition paid tribute to the resilience and successes of local Riverland wine families, industry innovators and wine personalities, particularly in the face of our Chinese tariffs, rising transport costs and lower tourism numbers as a result of the River Murray flood. Other awards announced on the night included:

the Business Innovation Award, won by Farmer to Fridge for its platform connecting consumers directly with local farmers;

the Community Empowerment Award, won by MAX Services for its recruitment and training programs;

the Lifelong Learning Award, won by Leigh Creek Area School and the University of Adelaide's Mobile Language Team for the installation of bilingual signage along the Akurra Trail;

the Meaningful Connections Award, won by the Victor Harbor Library Playgroup for its intergenerational program; and

the People's Choice Award, won by Kangaroo Island's Feral Cat Eradication Project.

I congratulate all the winners, especially Wudinna on being the AgTown of the Year.

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