Pinnaroo crowned 2020 AgTown of the Year
Regional
Mallee farming town, Pinnaroo, has been crowned the 2020 AgTown of the Year at the Regional Showcase Awards at O’Leary Walker Wines in Clare.
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The Agricultural Town of the Year Award highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in the regional landscape – being the backbone of most regional communities.
In its second year, the Agricultural Town of the Year Award recognises South Australian towns that are excelling in agricultural practices and the flow-on effect they have on communities.
The program also provides an avenue where communities can learn from one another which will play a role in building capacity and increasing growth in regional South Australia.
In 2020 the program received 70 town nominations and Pinnaroo finished ahead of four other finalists – Kimba, Parndana, Kapunda and Woodside – to be crowned South Australia’s top agriculture town.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham congratulated the small farming town on being named AgTown of the Year for 2020.
“Well done to the farming sector, the community and all involved in making Pinnaroo such a diverse and innovative town,” said Minister Basham.
“The extensive process to crown Pinnaroo as South Australia’s Ag Town involved 70 town nominations, more than 5,000 public votes and visits to the five finalist towns by our independent judging panel.
“As a farmer said during the judges’ visit, ‘Pinnaroo has got your back’ and I think that really captures the spirit of this small town and the importance of agriculture to its economy.”
The AgTown of the Year award recognises towns that demonstrate excellence in agriculture – encouraging growth in our primary industries and demonstrating leadership in this sector.
“I know the judging panel had a difficult time making this decision, with each of the finalist towns being more than just worthy contenders. All the towns are excelling in agricultural practices, displaying incredible community spirit and resilience, and are committed to developing their region,” Minister Basham said.
“South Australia is blessed with a vibrant primary industries and agribusiness sector overall, that generated $14.1 billion in revenue in 2019–20 and created tens of thousands of jobs.”
Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick congratulated the whole Pinnaroo community on winning the Ag Town of the Year Award.
“Agriculture can be a testing industry especially with some of the recent poor seasons. It’s good to have had a handy cropping season last year, stock prices up and a huge horticulture industry in the Pinnaroo region adding to the mix,” Mr Pederick said.
“Pinnaroo certainly deserves this award especially in relation to operating with the challenges of a cross-border community in dealing with COVID-19. This award highlights the legendary resilience of the Mallee. Congratulations Pinnaroo.”
In addition to being recognised as the ‘South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year’, Pinnaroo will have an event to unveil a sign for the town entrance recognising their achievement, a certificate and trophy presented by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, and a feature story in the April edition of SALIFE magazine.
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