The Society

ISSUE 10 MARCH 2011

S O C I E T YT H E

A s the saying goes all good things must come to an end. As President of the

RA&HS for the past six years it is with a touch of sadness that I bid farewell to my position. However, it is also with great pride that I look back on my time at the helm of the Society given the achievements of recent years and take up the role of Trustee.

Firstly, the development of the Goyder Pavilion – now regarded as one of the best of its kind in Australia – is a significant highlight of my tenure, as is the rezoning of the Showground enabling further growth in the future.

Likewise, the establishment of the Farmers Market and development of the Education and Archives Foundations are achievements close to my heart, particularly given current issues regarding food security and the need to encourage our young people to embrace farming as a career.

The Showground’s development as a leading environmental site, particularly the rooftop solar installation and underground water storage, has been another rewarding highlight of my time as President. These exciting initiatives have positioned the Adelaide Showground as arguably the most environmentally friendly event venue in Australia, and this has provided us with a valuable point of difference when competing for business.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of RA&HS councillors, staff and volunteers over the past six years and congratulate Richard Fewster on his election as President.

I dentifying broader income streams is one of the key objectives of new

RA&HS President Richard Fewster.

Chair of the RA&HS Council from 2002-2005 and director of the Board since it was established, trustee and member of the Governing Council, Mr Fewster said as the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre business developed it was not unrealistic to expect the events sector of the organisation to deliver an even greater proportion of the Society’s income.

“This will then support the Society’s program of asset replacement and maintenance across the Showground enabling the Society to comfortably meet other objectives,” he said.

A marketing communications professional for over 35 years, Mr Fewster has had a lifetime of working with horticulturalists, agriculturalists and agri-businesses across Australia and is currently co-owner with wife, Anne Ruston, of Australia’s largest outdoor commercial rose garden, Ruston’s Roses in Renmark. He also operates a consultancy specialising in rural and regional communications.

Raised on a mixed horticultural property at Renmark, Mr Fewster studied horticulture at Roseworthy, winning the Leo Buring prize in his final year.

After graduating he spent ten years with The Advertiser and The Chronicle as a journalist, later establishing a public relations business, Porter Novelli SA. During his PR career he has consulted to a broad range of companies and organisations and has designed and worked on many environmental and resource management communication campaigns, including Save the Bush, Landcare, the Bookmark Biosphere and Greening Australia.

Mr Fewster was also one of the architects of the highly successful Ibis Awards, established in the early 1990s to recognise sound environmental farming practices. The program won the inaugural UN International Award for environmental PR.

For the past five years Mr Fewster has been a member of the SA Citrus Industry Development Board and a member of the Australian citrus industry’s national marketing committee.

“As part of my work with this committee I was committed to undertake a review of the citrus industry’s national marketing communications activities, design a more cost-effective structure and a more coordinated approach for citrus promotion and marketing,” he said.

Since purchasing Ruston’s Rose Garden six years ago, Mr Fewster and his wife have implemented a major transformation of horticultural practices on the property and established a leading tourist facility, which has shown an average 25% annual growth. Ruston’s Roses has also been named the home of the National Rose Collection of Australia.

Society President hands over the reigns

RA&HS can boost event business says new President

Charlie Downer Former President, Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA

Richard Fewster President, Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA

“As part of my work with this committee I was committed to undertake a review of the citrus industry’s national marketing communications activities, design a more cost-effective structure and a more coordinated approach for citrus promotion and marketing”

As President of the RA&HS for the past six years it is with a touch of sadness that I bid farewell to my position.

Production of the 2011 Royal Show official Show Magazine has begun.

Delivered direct to SA homes and distributed through IGA Stores the Show Magazine is a comprehensive collection of all things Royal Show.

If you would like to advertise your business or Show activity in the Show Magazine contact; Peter Muscet from Muscet Media on; (08) 8463 1663 [email protected] or Michelle Hocking from the RA&HS SA Inc. on; (08) 8210 5211 [email protected]

2011 Official Show Magazine

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M ARCH NEWSLET TER 2011

friend

D id you know The Royal Show is now on Facebook? Add us as a ‘friend’ and

be the first to find out what’s happening at the 2011 Show – or tell us what you think about The Show. Facebook friends also have the chance to win free tickets as part of our monthly competition – simply tell us why you love The Show.

Here’s what January winner Janis Koolmatrie said: “…seeing my daughters’ faces whilst on the rides, looking at their showbags, sticky face and hands eating fairy floss. Thanks so much to all who make The Show a memorable experience year after year.”

G ot something to say about South Australia’s agricultural,

horticultural or viticulture industries? Do you, your business or community group have an association with the RA&HS, the Royal Adelaide Show, Wine Show or any other event held at the Adelaide Showground? Readers are invited to submit stories (up to 300 words) or story ideas for consideration.*

Simply email them to [email protected] or post to PO Box 108 Goodwood. SA. 5034

Become our

Have your say in The Society

Three months into 2011 and things are full-steam-ahead at the RA&HS,

with a busy calendar of events at the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre; we continue to win new business; and planning is well underway for this year’s Royal Show and Wine Show.

Particularly exciting is a growing trend for the Showground to host long-term touring events, such as the recent Dinosaurs Alive exhibition and upcoming Amazing Bodies and Leonardo Da Vinci exhibitions. Often held over a six to eight week period, these events have the potential to draw significant crowds to our venue,

appealing to both the school excursion market and family groups.

It’s a trend that our event development team is working to pursue, promoting the venue’s long-term availability, flexible layout and abundant parking – important attributes to long-term event organisers.

Securing long-term touring exhibitions, as well as new public events like the Good Food & Wine Show, had seen the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre at the Showground record an excellent 2010, with 640,000 people attending 171 different events, excluding the Royal Adelaide Show.

Finally, as an environmentally friendly business, we encourage members to renew their membership online if possible. Membership details can be viewed at www.rahs.com.au. Likewise, our newsletter is also online – pass it on to friends or associates who may be interested.

From the Chief Executive

John W Rothwell Chief Executive, Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA

Businesses of all sizes can now host their clients at South Australia’s largest and best

loved annual event - the Royal Adelaide Show.

Corporate hospitality packages are now available for the 2011 Show, providing businesses with a fun, unique and family-friendly venue to network and entertain guests.

Packages include premium catering and professional service in the Goyder Mezzanine, overlooking the Goyder Pavilion. Bookings are available for lunch or dinner from Monday, September 5 to Friday, September 9, with options ranging from five seats to tables of ten or an exclusive suite for up to 50 people.

Each booking includes:

• Royal Show entry for each guest, • Royal Show cap and map• Canapes on arrival• Two-course lunch or dinner• Complimentary carparking• Premium beverages for two hours• Complimentary red and white bottle

of medal-winning wine from the Royal Adelaide Wine Show on each table

• Special visits by roving entertainers.For more information visit www.theshow.com.au or phone Sponsorship Manager Karen Holthouse 08 8210 5255

Entertain your clientsat SA’s biggest event

Visit www.theshow.com.au and click on our Facebook link.

*Material will be published at the discretion of the RA&HS and may be edited.

RA&HS can boost event business says new President

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Brewers of all sizes from around Australia are expected to enter the inaugural

Royal Show beer competition.

The competition will enable winners to showcase their wares to thousands of Show-goers, and provide an opportunity for the general public to learn, understand and appreciate the world of beer.

Editor of Beer & Brewer Magazine Tim Baker said the competition would give local breweries a chance to test their beers against some of the best in Australia.

“It also allows those breweries to reach new markets here and interstate,” he said.

“The Royal Adelaide Beer competition has already won the support of local favourite, Coopers, in that Adelaide will be the only competition other than the Australian International Beer Awards (IBA) that Coopers will enter this year.

“Coopers is revered around the country so it will be great to see how craft brewers from around Australia face against the ales Coopers are so well-known for.”

Mr Baker said beer had undergone a revolution in recent years, with the emergence of an incredible number of new craft breweries and a growing trend toward food and beer matching.Entries for the 2011 competition close on June 10, with judging scheduled for July 11 to 14.

For details visit www.theshow.com.au or phone the Show Beer Competition Secretary, Ms Dee Rowlands 08 8210 5223.

Continuing their long tradition of involvement with the Royal Adelaide

Show, Girl Guides South Australia will introduce a themed Show competition in 2011.

Open to Girl Guides aged 5-17 from across South Australia and with a theme of ‘Girls’, classes including 3D model or collage, photography, painting, poster, sewing and cooking. Entries should aim to convey what Girl Guides is all about, and winners will be presented at the Show.

The competition is part of a push by Girl Guides South Australia to raise their profile in the lead up to the organisation’s centenary in 2012.

Guides South Australia Project Officer Kylie Krueger said the organisation was excited to be working with the RA&HS in developing the competition, and were looking forward to the promotional benefits that the relationship would generate.

“Girl Guides have participated and supported the Royal Adelaide Show for more than 40 years,” Mrs Krueger said.

For 100 years, Guides has been the largest girls’ only organisation in the world, attracting ten million-plus girls and young women of all cultures, faiths and traditions from over 145 countries. In South Australia, there are over 2,000 members and 133 units.

“On the surface Guiding is about fun, friendship and adventure,” Mrs Krueger said.“But look deeper and it’s about teamwork, building confidence and developing tomorrow’s female leaders. By achieving goals and improving community involvement, girls develop the confidence to do their best.”

For more information www.girlguidessa.org.au

New beer competition for Show in 2011 Girl guides to compete in 2011

“We envisage that our relationship with RA&HS will create further support and involvement from our girls in the Royal Adelaide Show and increase community interest in Girl Guiding.”

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The Australian Wagga will be revived at the 2011 Royal Adelaide Show, with the

Art, Craft & Cookery Committee announcing a new class in the Quilting section.

Committee chair Ann Bone said the new class promised to unearth some “individual, eye-popping pieces of art”, from bright, minimalist pieces to those featuring complex designs and handiwork.

The Wagga – also known as a Depression quilt – originated in the late nineteenth century, when rural men and women would sew quilts for warmth made from rudimentary materials such as wheat bags, tailoring samples, flour and sugar bags.

“Some were neatly bound with coloured binding or given an attractive fringe, while some were covered with creton or other cheap material,” says Ann.

“Despite the humble origin of their fabrics, many of the patterns of their woolen patchwork quilts were designed, showing that they were decorative as well as utilitarian objects.

“The fascination of these quilts comes from the fabrics used, be they yardage, remnants or scraps, and the intrigue from the way these materials are put together.”

According to quilt historian Dr Annette Gero (www.annettegero.com), the origins of the word ‘wagga’ are thought to have derived from Wagga Lilly flour sacks, made by the Murrumbidgee Co-op Flour Milling Co Ltd and used as stuffing for the quilts.

“These bags were of extremely fine quality, woven closely and warm, thus ideally suited for incorporation into a wagga,” says Dr Gero.

Quilters are encouraged to enter their interpretation of a Wagga into this year’s Royal Show.

For more information contact; Ann Bone [email protected] 0418 697 788 or Pam Seppelt [email protected] 0429 729 527.

From winning a lone gold medal at the 2007 Royal Adelaide Show to a

staggering 15 gold and 16 silver in 2010, South Australian chocolatier Bracegirdles has well and truly earned its position as one of the State’s best chocolate manufacturers.

In 2010 the business won three trophies, including the Most Successful Chocolate Manufacturer, Best Product from an Emerging Manufacturer and Champion Chocolate.

The company, which has stores in Glenelg, Toorak Gardens and McLaren Vale, was praised for producing chocolates that were not only the best tasting but had appealing colour, shape and texture.

Owner Sue Bracegirdle said innovation played a large part in the research and development of their comprehensive product range.

“The chocolatiers are continually striving to produce new and exciting temptations” she said.For more information visit www.bracegirdles.com.au

New quilt class revives the ‘wagga’

Sweet smell of success for chocolate company

‘The Fabric of Society’ Visit www.annettegero.com

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Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Wine industry members should note the dates for the 2011 Royal Adelaide Wine

Show. The closing date for entries is July 15, with delivery of wine scheduled for September 14 to 20. Judging will take place from September 26 to 29, with the presentation of awards on October 7. More on the Wine Show in the next edition of The Society.

Farewell to Milton Perryman and welcome Hayley Herbst

RA&HS staff member Milton Perryman has resigned from the position of Finance

Manager after a long and rewarding career with the Society.

Responsible for implementing an electronic ticketing system for the Royal Show, contracting an agency for the sale of tickets, introducing payroll tax exemption to the Society and obtaining an Australian Tax Office ruling to exempt Show tickets from GST, Milton has made an important contribution to the RA&HS over the past decade.

Milton started his career in 1961 at the age of 15, working with Douglas J Wilson Public Accountant in the city. Management positions at Mechanical Handling Pty Ltd, Clyde Engineering, Uniroyal Chemical and Hannaford Seedmaster Services followed, before joining the Society in 2002.

Away from work Milton has undergone several health challenges, including quad bypass heart surgery in 2007. During his recuperation Milton was inspired to walk the Kokoda Track – a goal he amazingly completed just one day before the anniversary of his surgery.

Though he’s retiring Milton will continue his association with the RA&HS, acting as Treasurer for the Adelaide Showground Farmer’s Market and volunteering at the Show. A move into local politics is also on the cards, as are future treks such as the Heysen Trail and Great Wall of China.

The Society welcomes Hayley Herbst to the position of Finance Manager. Hayley comes most recently from Deloittes; working eight years in Adelaide and 9 years in Zimbabwe, Hayley’s focus was auditing and advisory.

Mother to daughter Talia, a beautiful five year old and married to Willem. Hayley in her spare time enjoys spending time with family and takes pleasure in the lifestyle Adelaide offers.

And the accolades continue for Goyder

Congratulations to the team at LUCID Consulting Engineers, the team behind

our award-winning lighting design in the Goyder Pavilion. The Goyder was awarded a Lighting Design Award of Excellence by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in October – one of only four awards presented in South Australia in 2010. Judges commented that the installation uses the latest technology in lighting and controls, a unique and highly appropriate fixture and a simple and cohesive overall design concept for the space.

History is here to share

The RA&HS Archives and Museum will open each Thursday from 10am – 4pm in May

as part of History SA’s ‘About Time’ festival. An important record of the agricultural, pastoral, viticulture and manufacturing industries in South Australia, the Archives contain a fascinating collection of memorabilia, including photographs, proceedings books, trophies, medals and ribbons. Walking tours, taking in

the earliest buildings erected on the Adelaide Showground site, will also run each Thursday in May at 11am. For details – or to arrange a tour at other times of the year – please contact the Archivist, Marilyn Ward, on 8201 5218, [email protected]

Cleanskin Sheep Symposium continues to grow

The 2011 Cleanskin Sheep Symposium, held at the Adelaide Showground in February,

was attended by sheep farmers and producers from around South Australia. Speakers included Alex Ball of Meat & Livestock Australia, who spoke about the world demand for lamb, expected supply in Australia and issues that producers need to address in “getting serious” about meat production. Farmers Angus McTaggart, Sean O’Brien and Peter Colless spoke of production in the pastoral, cereal and high rainfall areas of Australia, focusing on the different management tools used by each. Other speakers included Merino breeder Sara Wilson who shared her experiences in changing to cleanskin/fleece shedding sheep; Jamie McTaggart of Spear Creek Dorper Lamb and Trevor Hill of Bruce’s Meats of Mitcham, both of whom discussed marketing. Breed Society and commercial displays were located in the Sheep Pavilion while talks on the various breeds were presented in the Main Arena.

Premier’s Food Industry Awards

The Society was pleased to sponsor the Fostering Value Chain Award at the

Premier’s Food Industry Awards held in late 2010. Winners included Kangaroo Island Pure Grain, Lucia’s Fine Food, Nippy’s and Free Eyre, which comprises Eyre Peninsula farmers and businesses.

Ray Beckwith – 2010 ROCA Award of Merit recipient

RA&HS Honorary Councillor and wine industry pioneer Dr Arthur Ray Beckwith

OAM is the recipient of the 2010 Roseworthy Old Collegians Association ‘Award of Merit’.

The 99-year-old, who attended the RA&HS annual general meeting in February, was lauded as a ‘living icon’ of Roseworthy Agricultural College and the South Australian wine industry.

Born in 1912, Ray commenced studies in the Diploma of Agriculture at Roseworthy in 1929, graduating in 1932 with First-Class Honours. As a cadet at Roseworthy Ray worked under the famous Alan Hickinbotham, researching the use of pure cultured yeasts in winemaking. Up until the 1930s the wine industry generally used naturally occurring yeasts found on the skin of grapes; Ray’s research proved that the use of selected cultured yeasts produced superior wines with better flavour and bouquet.

Ray left Roseworthy in 1935 to put his skills to practical use, joining Penfolds and remaining with them until his retirement in 1973. At Penfolds Ray put his yeast research to practical use, later branching out into research of pH as a useful aid to controlling the growth of bacteria in wine – a common problem at the time, with 20-40% of wine being lost to spoilage. As a result of Ray’s work on pH and its adoption across the industry, the loss of wine to spoilage was brought down to zero.

In 2004, the University of Adelaide conferred upon Ray the honour of Doctor of the University and that same year he was inducted as an Honorary Life Member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. In 2008, Ray was honoured by the Government of Australia with the conferral of a Medal of the Order of Australia.

The Society congratulates Ray Beckwith OAM on his latest achievement.

In brief

royaladelaide wineshow

L-R Milton Perryman and Kokoda Trek Guide, Talia and Hayley Herbst

Lucid receives the Lighting Design award

RA&HS Archives and Museum

Cleanskin Sheep Symposium

Dr. Ray Beckwith OAM and Mr. Dale Manson

(L-R) Simon Bugeja, Jeff Knipsel, Charlie Downer, Duncan MacGillvray and Mark Rodda

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Contributing over $500,000 each year to worthwhile causes and community

organisations, event management company Expertise Events believes supporting those less fortunate is vital.

The Australian-owned company, which stages several shows at the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre, including the ABC Garden Expo (March 12-14) and Craft & Quilt Expo (November 3-6), is an industry leader when it comes to giving back to the community.

According to managing director Gary Fitz-Roy, seeing the results of their support is more important than “bragging about them”.

“We don’t make a big deal of what we give back as I firmly believe that it’s more about seeing the end results. We believe our events connect communities and it’s important to give back.”

This year alone Expertise Events has donated $27,000 to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Appeal.

“Expertise staff were so touched by this, they ran a bake sale in the week that followed and in three hours raised another $984.”The company also supports the Wellspring Project, which provides a home for orphan girls in Delhi, India.

Editor’s note: Expertise Events’ goes about theirphilanthropic activities without fanfare; we discovered their efforts at a recent industry presentation. It’s great to see an Australian exhibition business so aware of the importance of giving back.

G iving back to the community is all in a day’s work for the team at the Adelaide

Event & Exhibition Centre.

The AEEC recently offered the site as the drop-off and coordination point for the Queensland Flood Appeal Toy Collection, and has hosted the Variety Children’s Christmas Party for many years. Attended by over 2,000 disadvantaged children, the AEEC helps Variety put on a fun-filled day, providing the Goyder Pavilion free-of-charge.

Other events supported in 2009/10 include the Sammy D Foundation Comedy Gala, which raises money for youth issues, and The Smith Family Christmas Toy Pack. The AEEC also hosts events for the Craniofacial Foundation, supported Latinofest to raise funds for the earthquake in Chile and assisted the SA Police Band by providing a venue for rehearsals in the lead-up to the 2010 Basel Tattoo.

The Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre is a State finalist in this year’s MEA SA

Meetings & Events Industry Awards, Specialty Venue category. The State finalist who achieves the highest score for their submission will become the State Winner.

Winners will be announced at a dinner held in late March, look out for the next edition of the Society News for the final outcome.

Gary Fitzroy – Expertise Events

AEEC lends a helping hand AEEC – a State finalist

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April 2011 To May 8 Amazing Bodies Exhibition 15-17 Sunday Mail Home Living Expo 16-June 26 Da Vinci Machines Exhibition

May 2011 To May 8 Amazing Bodies Exhibition 20-21 National Careers & Employment Expo 27-29 National Tradesman’s Expo

June 2011 4-5 Body, Mind & Psychic Expo 4-5 Mega Toy Fair 16-26 RM Williams Mid Year Sale to June 26 Da Vinci Machines Exhibition

July 2011 2-3 Swimming Pool & Spa Show 8-10 MBA Building & Home Improvement Show 9-10 Beauty, Body & Soul Expo 23-24 Winter Bridal Ideas Expo 28-31 Caravan, Camping & Off Road Sale

August 2011 5-7 Science Alive! 12 Disability & Ageing Expo

September 2011 2-10 Royal Adelaide Show 20 CareerOne Jobsfest

Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia Incorporatedaddress PO Box 108, Goodwood, South Australia 5034phone 08 8210 5211 Fax 08 8212 1944 email [email protected] aeec.com.au | theshow.com.au | thewineshow.com.au | rahs.com.au

At the time of print this information was correct.

Events calendar highlights

Da Vinci comes to AdelaideExplore the mind of arguably the greatest

genius of all time at the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition, on at the Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre from April 16 to June 26.

Featuring over 60 machines constructed from the original drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, this interactive exhibition includes flying machines, robotics displays, civil engineering, hydraulics and reproductions of da Vinci’s greatest artistic masterpieces.

Also including children’s activities, computer animations and a short movie, this is set to be one of the must-see exhibitions of 2011.

For details visit www.aeec.com.au

Adelaide Showground - generating 1MW of solar power and harvesting 10 million litres of water annually


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