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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-15 Daily Xml
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Country Shows and Field Days

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (16:47): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges the commencement of the spring season of country shows and field days across South Australia, following one of the most difficult seasons in recent memory for many regional communities;

2. Recognises that field days provide an essential forum for industry engagement, innovation, and networking, and that country shows highlight community spirit, showcase regional excellence, and foster friendly competition;

3. Notes that both country shows and field days are important in supporting regional families, strengthening local communities, and attracting visitors and tourists to our state; and

4. Commends the dedication and contribution of volunteers, organisers, exhibitors, and participants—including Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia, Country Shows SA, and the Association of Agricultural Field Days of Australasia—whose efforts ensure the success of these iconic events year after year.

I rise today to move that this council acknowledge the commencement of the spring season of country shows and field days across South Australia. These events are more than just dates in the regional calendar, they are a part of the heartbeat of country life and they matter deeply to the people who live, work and raise their families in our regions.

As someone who grew up in the Riverland and later served my community as a country veterinarian, I know firsthand the significance of these events. Country shows are the highlight of the year for many towns. They showcase our agricultural produce, our livestock, our arts and crafts and, most importantly, our people. They bring together families, schools, service clubs and sporting groups, and they remind us all of the strength and pride of regional South Australia. From the Jamestown Show to the Keith and Tintinara Show, to the Murray Bridge Show and so many more, these events celebrate the character of our regions, while supporting local fundraising efforts to keep our communities strong.

Field days, by contrast, are where the business of agriculture comes to the fore. They are vital forums for innovation and industry connection, giving our farmers direct access to the latest machinery, technology and practices. The Yorke Peninsula field days, for instance, attract more than 30,000 visitors and 700 exhibitors, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy. Likewise, the Eyre Peninsula, Lucindale and Mallee machinery field days are cornerstones of the agricultural calendar, where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are built and the next generation of farmers can see what their future might look like.

This year, these events took on an even greater importance. Regional communities are facing enormous challenges: the ongoing impact of drought, the devastating algal bloom along our coast, cost pressures and a deep sense of uncertainty about the future, and many country people are feeling left behind by both state and federal Labor governments. In that context, our shows and our field days are not just entertainment or business expos, they are opportunities to connect, to restore optimism and to remind regional South Australians that their contribution is valued.

Families are being left to shoulder the burden of the recent drought largely on their own, and it feels like this government continues to turn its back on the very communities that feed and sustain our state. Farmers and regional businesses are crying out for meaningful support but, unfortunately, instead they are being met with empty words, slow processes and a lack of urgency. At a time when action is needed, we have seen largely inaction and we cannot expect rural South Australians to keep enduring this drought with no clear plan, no proper targeted relief and no acknowledgement of the real pain being felt in regional communities.

The truth is, while country people are doing it tough, Labor is nowhere to be seen when the real work of supporting our regions needs to be done. So while the government is MIA, it is our locals who step up. It is also worth acknowledging that none of this would be possible without our volunteers, and these events only happen because of the tireless work of local individuals, agricultural societies, service clubs, CWA branches, sporting clubs and countless others who give their time and energy to ensure success year after year. Their contributions are enormous and they deserve the thanks of this parliament.

Country shows and field days together are a celebration of who we are as a state. They showcase our excellence in agriculture and in innovation, they strengthen community spirit, they attract tourism and economic activity, and they highlight the grit and character of country South Australians in the face of adversity. So I commend this motion to the council and encourage all members to join me in celebrating these iconic and much-loved events.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

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