14 RURAL BRIEFING June 2019
Election win boost for country shows
HON TIM WHETSTONE MP MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT THE HISTORY and tradition of country shows is intertwined in the social fabric of our regional communities. Most of these country shows were originally established with a focus on local agriculture and horticulture industries, and attendance by the community was not only for networking but to show support for farmers. The Federal Liberal Government made a $30 million election commitment to a package which includes funding for infrastructure upgrades for agricultural shows, as well as encouraging more people into agricultural careers. This is an important initiative that will be welcomed by regional South Australia and our farmers with open arms. As a regional MP, I’ve always been a staunch supporter of our country shows and understand their importance to regional communities, particularly the agriculture and horticulture aspect. In fact, many of you may know I enjoy making my fig and ginger and apricot jam and entering it into country shows. It’s all about encouraging more people to participate and get involved. Some of my political colleagues might poke a bit of fun at me about my jam but it just shows how simple it is for people of all walks of life to enter show exhibitions. Under Labor, a $40,000 annual grant to our country shows was cut in a particularly miserly and vindictive decision by a city-focused party. This funding was mainly used as prize money and to encourage more people to get involved in the shows. It was a cruel decision and I highlighted that at the time.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone points out his award-winning jam at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Right across regional Australia agricultural shows are delivered by hardworking volunteers, but they are often faced with ageing infrastructure, rising running costs and expensive repair bills. That’s why this commitment from the Federal Coalition is so important. Furthermore, I’m keen to work with our country shows to enhance leadership capability, such as the Rural Ambassadors initiative. We have some outstanding young people involved and it would be fantastic to be able to give them the extra confidence and skills to be leaders in our regional communities. For many small communities, country shows are the main event of the year, they are a social opportunity to get together and celebrate what is wonderful about the region they live in. Whether it’s Loxton or Pinnaroo, Port Lincoln or Crystal Brook, these country shows often attract tens of thousands of people and a little funding can go a long way.
Hub provides tertiary opportunities in gulf BRENTON VANSTONE
SOUTHERN FLINDERS BRANCH A NEW UNIVERSITY hub is giving people in the Spencer Gulf an alternative way to study at a tertiary level without leaving the region. Uni Hub Spencer Gulf provides the opportunity for people to study a range of tertiary courses without the need to relocate to a metropolitan
area. At the same time the hub is assisting to deliver skills in key demand areas of health, community care and education, with future plans to support skills growth in engineering and business. The Port Pirie campus opened its doors earlier this year. Port Augusta will benefit from a Uni Hub planned for opening in 2020. The facility provides students the support, space, and technology to study individually or in groups.
Students studying with our university partners also receive face-to-face mentoring and tutorials to assist them achieve their academic goals. Statistics demonstrate that face-toface support and purpose-fit facilities increase completion rates of distance education by more than 80 per cent. Uni Hub Spencer Gulf is made possible through the Regional Jobs and Investment Package, CONTINUED ON PAGE FIFTEEN