Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Agricultural Town of the Year Award is a South Australian government initiative that highlights the pivotal role of agriculture in regional communities. The award received 70 nominations and, after 5,000 votes, five finalists were determined. I'm pleased to advise that two of the finalists, Parndana and Woodside, are in the electorate of Mayo, and both are very worthy contenders.

Aside from dairy, horticulture and viticulture, Woodside is a service town for the region and the epicentre of its agricultural industry. It is the home of several northern hills businesses that are critical to the sector, including DJ's Growers Services, Creekwood Projects, Woodside Irrigation, Vitiworks, Aldgate, Emmetts SA and Elite Netting, just to name a few.

Parndana, like Woodside, provides a central pivot for the surrounding industries and is home to many iconic businesses. We have Richard and Zach Trethewey's marron farm and also Andrew and Tracie Heinrich's merino stud, known as Merino Ram Stud Farm. The local high school campus is providing education and training for the next generation of agricultural leaders, which is so important. Both townships have emerged from the Black Summer fires with renewed strength. Good luck in the Agricultural Town of the Year Award to both Parndana and Woodside.