Private Members' Statement: Positive updates across Wagga Wagga

I will update the House on positive events in the electorate of Wagga Wagga. Over the weekend of 13 and 14 October the town of Lockhart hosted the annual Spirit of the Land festival. The festival began in 2006 when Lockhart was experiencing one of its worst droughts. The idea is to celebrate the resilience of those who live and work on the land, and the courage and determination of the community battling the difficult circumstances of the environment. Since the time of the festival's founding the community of Lockhart has twice battled severe floods and is now again facing the effects of drought.

The Spirit of the Land festival is home to the famous National Farm Art Sculpture award and also includes exhibitions of photography, fine art and Indigenous art. The main street with its famous and picturesque verandahs is closed off and the town hosts a vibrant gathering of market stalls with live music, and a wonderful variety of food and fireworks on the Saturday evening. In addition, there are open gardens, farm tours and even a cycling event, which now in its third year. I congratulate the winner of the $10,000 National Farm Art award this year, Sean Meany, on his piece entitledBunyip from Burra Creek. Other winners included Matt Bye who got the Spirit of the Land sculpture award, Max Thomas who got the local artist award, Michael Cudmore who got the youth sculpture award, Ann Rayment who got the Spirit of the Land fine arts award, Debbie Wood who got the Indigenous award, Mark Slater who got the Fine Arts Photography award and Ruby Bergmeier who got the fine arts youth award.

I also acknowledge the work of the Spirit of the Land committee with Peter Veneris as chair and the Lockhart Shire Council as well as the major sponsors Lockhart and District Community Bank, GrainCorp, Lockhart IGA, Rotary Club of Lockhart, Lockhart Ex-Servicemen's Club, Riverina Water County Council, Delta Agribusiness, Tasco, Lockhart Anglers Club, John Bance and Son, Lockhart Lions Club and Friedlieb Fox McLeod and Bush and Campbell Accountants. The festival took place a week after the annual Lockhart Picnic Races. On 12 October the town saw the launch of the Lockhart Water Tower Mural and Walk of Fame. These events reflect the success of the town and the energy of the local community and are a credit to the council and community.

I was also fortunate to attend the ninety-second annual conference of the Riverina Group of the Country Women's Association [CWA] held at The Rock Hall and Museum with acting president Ann Adams in the chair. The convention was opened by Miss Annie Kiefer, State vice-president, and the guest speaker was Dr Mavis Gaff Smith. I particularly note that the group branch of the year was won by the newly formed Uranquinty branch whose president is Rachel Whiting. At a time when it can be difficult for organisations to attract new members, it is encouraging to see the CWA growing in this way. It aptly reflects the words, "Pride in our Past, Faith in our Future". I also note the serious concern of the group convention on the issue of access to public cancer services in rural and regional areas.

Finally, I congratulate Neal Molineaux who has become National President of Apex Club this year. Neal hails from the South Wagga Apex Inc, which successfully hosted the Apex National Convention this year, which involved delegates from throughout Australia and overseas. Neal is the third national president to come from Wagga and the first since 1956. Apex has a proud history of building better communities and nowhere is this more evident than in Wagga where it has relaunched the World Championship Gumi Race, promoted to national level the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch to create awareness and funding for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and run public speaking competitions for schools. It has also held the Fisherama to clean up the local lagoon and sponsors soccer teams for disabled children.