The Post
No Result
View All Result
The Post
No Result
View All Result
The Post

What’s your fave SA country town? Vote for them now!

Laura Dare by Laura Dare
May 29, 2025
in Environment, Industry, Regions
What’s your fave SA country town? Vote for them now!

People enjoying wine in Penola as part of a Warrawindi Escapes tour. Picture: South Australian Tourism Commission

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Last year it was Penola – but which town will be named SA’s Ag Town of the Year in 2025? Have your say now.

Ever enjoyed some delicious Berri oranges or a riesling from Clare? How about oysters from Coffin Bay or milk from Mount Compass?

A record 97 towns have been nominated for this year’s Agricultural Town of the Year Award, an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).

This is your chance to give something back to these hardworking communities.

With South Australia’s regional communities doing it tough in the drought – some facing the lowest rainfall levels on record – now’s your moment to say thanks and help them thrive.

Voting is open for South Australia’s 2025 Agricultural Town of the Year, so make sure you vote for your favourite before Friday, June 20.

The beautiful town of Penola. Picture: Jordan Agutter

Penola’s win: a blueprint for success

Last year’s winner was Penola, a picturesque town nestled in the Limestone Coast’s famous Coonawarra region. Known for a lot more than just great wine, Penola impressed judges with its agricultural diversity and tight-knit community.

From dairy and beef to grains and wine, Penola’s agricultural mix is top-notch. 

Cory O’Connor, agricultural teacher at Penola High School, says he sees it all every morning on his drive into work – pine plantations, paddocks full of cows and sheep, and endless vineyards. “It’s a reminder of just how much diverse agriculture we have here, all in one small area,” he says.

Judges particularly loved Penola’s innovation – highlighting how it pivoted from producing hemp seeds to hemp fibre – as well as its strong sense of community spirit. 

Cory O’Connor, Agricultural Teacher at Penola High School. Picture: Lara Pacillo

Planting seeds (literally) for the future

Penola High’s agricultural program is nothing short of legendary. Cory, who built the program from scratch, established a vibrant learning space complete with chickens, turkeys, sheep, cows, fish and even yabbies that help students learn hands-on farming skills.

“The kids love it. It’s about giving them a head start, showing them all the different opportunities of what their futures could look like in agriculture,” Cory says.

Not only do the kids love it, but some who struggle in class find calm and connection in caring for the animals. Cory proudly took students (and some very large steers!) to the Royal Adelaide Show last year, giving them an unforgettable experience.

Winning the Agricultural Town of the Year Award meant a lot to Penola, too.

“It’s amazing to see the spotlight on everything we’re doing here,” Cory says. “It’s about the future we’re building for these kids, the pathways we’re creating for them to see a career in agriculture.”

The family-owned Warrawindi Farms at Penola. Picture: Lara Pacillo

Why you should vote for your favourite town (ASAP!)

Still wondering whether to vote? Here’s a quickfire Q&A to get you motivated:

Who exactly can vote?
Literally anyone. Yes, even city folk. Whether you live in the town, visited once and loved it, or have family ties there – your auntie from the Riverland or your granny from Clare – spread the word and get voting!

Why does it matter?
Our regional towns have been doing it tough thanks to drought. Winning helps bring recognition, community pride, and some much-deserved love to our rural champions.

What’s in it for the winning town?

  • Entrance signage proudly announcing the achievement
  • A trophy and community celebration event
  • A double-page spread in SALIFE magazine showcasing what makes the town great

Five reasons your favourite town deserves the crown

  1. Community spirit – Do they come together like Penola when things get tough?
  2. Innovation – Are they creatively adapting to challenges?
  3. Diversity – Are they juggling crops, livestock, forestry, or fishing like pros?
  4. Education – Are they inspiring the next generation of farmers and leaders?
  5. Resilience – Have they battled drought, fires, or floods, and come out stronger?

Ready to vote?

Jump online and fill out the simple voting form by 20 June 2025 – time’s ticking! After that, a judging panel visits the top contenders, and the winner is announced at the South Australian Regional Showcase Awards later this year.

This is your chance to put your favourite country spot on the map. So hurry up – voting closes soon, and your favourite town could be the next Penola!

Find more information and the online voting form here.

Tags: AdelaideAg Town of the YearPenolaPIRSASouth AustraliaThe Post
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Adelaide over Hollywood? For one of our brightest stars, it’s no contest

Next Post

What to do in SA this June long weekend

Related Posts

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene
Industry

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene

September 23, 2025
The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!
Community

The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!

September 19, 2025
Next Post
What to do in SA this June long weekend

What to do in SA this June long weekend

Recent

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene

September 23, 2025
The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!

The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!

September 19, 2025
Meet the SA artists making serious noise in 2025

Meet the SA artists making serious noise in 2025

September 17, 2025
Don’t miss your chance to score a coastal holiday in SA

Don’t miss your chance to score a coastal holiday in SA

September 16, 2025
Netflix and thrill: Your ultimate SA screen scene guide

Netflix and thrill: Your ultimate SA screen scene guide

September 16, 2025
Back from the brink: Yorke Peninsula’s comeback gets furry

Back from the brink: Yorke Peninsula’s comeback gets furry

September 11, 2025
From Brighton to the big time: Adelaide cartoonist goes global

From Brighton to the big time: Adelaide cartoonist goes global

September 9, 2025
How two students bought a home in Bowden

How two students bought a home in Bowden

September 9, 2025
The childcare alternative you might not know about

The childcare alternative you might not know about

September 2, 2025
Say goodbye to soy sauce fish: SA’s plastic ban expands

Say goodbye to soy sauce fish: SA’s plastic ban expands

September 1, 2025

-

  • Health
  • Infrastructure
  • Community
  • Events
  • Environment
  • Education
  • Industry
  • Lifestyle
  • Regions
  • Video
  • Podcast

BrandSA_logo Solstice-white
Supported by The Government of South Australia
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Security Statement

© 2023 Solstice Media.

Recent Posts

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene

Beyond the big brands: Inside SA’s craft beer scene

September 23, 2025
The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!

The Post is back in print – and bigger than ever!

September 19, 2025
Meet the SA artists making serious noise in 2025

Meet the SA artists making serious noise in 2025

September 17, 2025

No Result
View All Result
  • Health
  • Infrastructure
  • Community
  • Events
  • Environment
  • Education
  • Industry
  • Lifestyle
  • Regions
  • Video
  • Podcast

© 2023