2009 Mid North & Yorke Peninsula Winners

The Orroroo Quilters have transformed the heritage buildings of Orroroo along with a ute of farm implements, wrought iron beds, gates and old furniture. These trailer loads of junk were quickly transformed into a working vintage display along with garage sales, walking trails and a live ABC broadcast featured at the event to generate tourism and pride in the area.

Risdon Pharmacy was established in 2007 with a strong community focus. The business provides timely quality service to an average of 70 customers daily. In December 2008, the business opened the Quorn Pharmacy, which has demonstrated strong business growth and has given back to the community by providing free blood sugar and blood pressure checks. Overall, the business has opened pharmacies in Orroroo, Quorn and Coober Pedy within two and a half years, employing local staff and contributing to the region's development.

Situated in the heart of South Australia’s beautiful Clare Valley, Taylors has become one of Australia’s favourite wineries. Taylors has been making and supplying quality wines for 40 years, with sales currently exceeding half a million cases per annum within Australia and 32 countries around the world. Since its debut in 1973, Taylors Wines have won more than 2000 medals nationally and internationally. They are currently involved in a multi million-dollar capital expansion of the Auburn winemaking facilities and employ over 100 workers from the Clare Valley region. Taylors Wines also host Auburn’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast and the staff are also involved in the Wakefield River Rehabilitation.

YP Community Transport & Services has provided transport to the communities of Yorke Peninsula, Copper Coast and Barunga West for over 20 years and is predominantely run by a volunteer base of 240 members to the frail, aged and young disabled. ‘Bus Companions’ was also developed over the past year to assist with the YP Health Bus, with each companion supporting a maximum of 18 clients per day over a 12-hour day.

Tanya loves events and bringing people together. Tanya has been involved in the local Paddock Day event, which included a visit from Lee Kernagan. She also assisted with the Drought Buster Dance with Scott Dann, the Ernie Dingo Twilight Family Night and the 60th Anniversay Hunt Club Ball.  In her spare time, Tanya attends the local school governing council, is a committee member of the local race club and show jumping club and has coached a class of underprivileged children.

Ashmore Engineering specialises in the design and manufacture of agricultural and industrial machinery and has been operating for 13 years. They have developed the “Automated Rotor Axle Drive System” for the ‘Feedmax 2’, which is capable of stacking up to 12 hay bales at a time. This has greatly assisted farmers with staking and reducing contamination. With so much hay from the region being exported, the farming community sees huge benefits in this innovative design.

Bendleby Ranges is an award winning, sustainable, adventure tourism destination, offering peace and tranquillity in an unspoilt natural environment. In the past year the Ranges have received many accolades including, 2008 Silver Medal Winner for the South Australian Tourism Awards and participated in the Tastes of the Outback Orroroo in April 2009. They have also taken part in the Bush Festival Quorn and the Global Maintenance Trade Show in Port Augusta. Bendleby Ranges recently achieved Advanced Eco Accreditation with the working farm now achieving full organic accreditation.

The sensational seventh 2009 Melrose Fat Tyre Festival saw some 130 registered riders compete, including riders from interstate and the US. Minister Jane Lomax Smith opened the Camp Kitchen and Bike facility in the Melrose Caravan Park, where regular night rides are popular along with weekend family rides. A Movember Charity Ride was extremely successful and the Festival also sponsors Sarah Holmes, who is ranked fourth in Australia.

The Clare Squash Centre is a not-for profit association that was awarded the hosting duties of the 2008 Australian Squash Championships, after successfully hosting them in 2007. The Centre is considered to be one of the strongest and most innovative squash clubs in country South Australia. National and International players were attracted to the event with over 2000 spectators, including 500 attending the final. The Championships have increased the focus on Squash, resulting in an increase in participation and membership rate for the Centre.

Rebecca is currently studying Year 11 at Snowtown Area School, where she is a senior student leader. She is a recipient of the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award through the Australian Defence Force, the Snowtown’s Lions Incentive Award and Rebecca also participated in the Lions Youth of the Year Quest, where she was a regional winner and district finalist. Rebecca is also strongly involved with the Snowtown Community Management Committee. She is heavily involved with school presentations including the Anzac Services and National Youth Week. Rebecca is currently pursuing a Science Scholarship in London.

Country Getaways Accommodation Booking Service began in 2002, renting out holiday home, beach houses, shacks and B&Bs on behalf of the individual homeowners. The business, which started with just eight properties, now has approximately 200 host clients on the database with approximately 160 on the website. The business has increased bookings by 17% in the last 12 months.

From recognising a community need on a visit 2 years ago, Julie and Lesley have turned a vacant building into a community hub. This goal has been achieved by a dedicated focus on excellent products and customer service, providing training and development opportunities for local school students, promotion outlet for local art, craft and produce and starting a community newsletter.

Total Electrical Construction has successfully developed their Certified Management Systems, opening up new market opportunities and expanding their client base. They now have a civil works team and have entered the land development industry, winning several large commercial development contracts.