Wudinna Triumphs as Agricultural Town of the Year 2023
In a celebration at the Vale Brewing Restaurant and Bar on the grounds of Beresford Estate, McLaren Flat, Wudinna, located on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, clinched the prestigious title of Agricultural Town of the Year 2023.
Competing against formidable finalists Bordertown and Eudunda, Wudinna, with its population of 548, secured the coveted Ag Town of the Year Award. This annual accolade recognizes towns in South Australia excelling in agricultural practices and their positive impact on local communities.
The judging panel, after thorough evaluations and visits by independent judges, commended Wudinna for its outstanding community engagement, particularly in fostering agricultural education among its youngest members. Agriculture is deeply embedded in Wudinna’s identity, with 73.5% of exports and 43.8% of the workforce attributed to the sector.
Community Strength and Agricultural Excellence Propel Wudinna to Victory
Wudinna’s commitment to research and development, exemplified by farmer-led grower groups contributing to agricultural research, stood out. Additionally, the town’s innovative tourism initiatives, such as the iconic Australian Farmer Statue, were acknowledged for attracting visitors while emphasizing the town’s agricultural significance.
This recognition comes as Wudinna follows in the footsteps of previous Ag Town of the Year winners, including Cleve (2019), Pinaroo (2020), Kimba (2021), and Mypolonga (2022).
The announcement of Wudinna as the Ag Town of the Year is a highlight of the Regional Showcase Awards, which applauds local regional journalism’s coverage of achievements across regional South Australia. The event also witnessed the presentation of the Regional Resilience Award to a story on Riverland Wine’s photo exhibition, showcasing the industry’s response to challenges.
The town is a major service hub for the Eyre Peninsula’s agricultural sector
Quotes attributable to Clare Scriven: “It is clear to see why the town is affectionately known as ‘wonderful Wudinna’, with its leadership in the agriculture sector complemented by strong community support. The town is a major service hub for the Eyre Peninsula’s agricultural sector and a significant contributor to the region’s GDP through grain and livestock production, as well as a centre for research innovation.
The Wudinna community is to be commended for its resilience, its track record of using the ‘good times’ to prepare for the ‘bad’ by putting together strategic plans and for leading from the front to leverage its natural advantages to address challenges. Congratulations to the other two finalists, Bordertown, and Eudunda, who were also very strong contenders. I know it was not an easy decision for the judges.”