Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 June 2024

Mr President, I know we can be - and are - parochial about our electorates and the people we represent. I hope this presentation might be a little bit of a different tone. I will, therefore, be shamelessly parochial as I inform members of some of the recent achievements of a number of individuals and businesses in Murchison.

On the red meat front, one of the biggest events in Australian red meat industry is Beef Australia, which is held every three years in Rockhampton. This event seeks to promote and advance a sustainable beef industry in a week long exhibition showcasing all facets of the industry. There is the National Beef Carcass Competition, which gives beef producers from around Australia the opportunity to show off their product on the national stage. This year's event was held in May and a number of winners from Tasmania were recognised, including local producers who entered through the Circular Head Show Trade Cattle Competition. They featured in six out of the 12 places in an Australia-wide competition - a wonderful achievement in the pasture fed classes on a national scale.

The president of the show society, Mr Tony Hine, described the achievement as a great honour, stating that Tasmania produces only about 2.63 per cent of the nation's prime beef, and here we are with four out of the top six in one section and two out of the top four in the next section of grass fed beef. Those Circular Head beef growers who made the scoreboard are Brett McGlone of Smithton, Milton and Gaylene de Jong of Stanley with two placings, William Payne of Smithton and Joe Elphinstone from Lileah.

As some would not be surprised to know, local Circular Head farmers have also been recognised nationally by Josh 'Pezza' Perry, the butcher from Perry's Quality Meats in Smithton, utilising the product. MasterChef viewers will have seen Josh recently appearing on our screens as a contestant in the popular long running TV show.

Ms Rattray - He was even doing desserts the other night.

Ms FORREST - I know. He had a family recipe, impressing audiences and judges alike and also promoting our local fresh produce. Josh has proudly promoted Tasmania and our fresh produce and what is being grown naturally on the high rating TV show. In the local media, he proudly and correctly stated that we have the best beef, the best lamb, the best seafood and we have the milk. He also said he dreamt one day of opening a paddock to plate style restaurant on his farm where he raises grass fed beef.

At the time of writing this speech, Josh had made it to the top 10 in the show, which is really astounding for a young man from Smithton. Josh has encouraged anyone watching MasterChef, as well as locals, to visit the community and pop in and say g'day. The butcher is easy to find.

In the tourism sector, visitors might like to spend a night or two at the Ship Inn in Stanley, which, along with Penghana House in Queenstown, were recently named in the top 10 of Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards Best of Best Awards. While Yarra Gables in Healesville, Victoria, secured the number one spot, the Ship Inn came a close second, again, a national recognition. The Ship Inn was praised for its beautiful renovation, delightful ambience and attention to detail. I have stayed there a couple of times and it truly is fantastic and to be recommended.

Penghana Bed and Breakfast came in at number seven on the national list, commended for its historic charm, beautiful gardens and magnificent views and was also in the top 25 in the South Pacific region. I have also stayed there a number of times and can absolutely vouch for both of these businesses.

The Travellers' Choice Awards celebrate the highest level of excellence in travel. While still in the Murchison electorate, visitors might like to pop over to King Island and play a round of golf at the Cape Wickham Golf Course. I have taken members there on a previous electorate tour. This is a public course less than 10 years old and was recently named as the top golf course in Australia, knocking off the Royal Melbourne. What an achievement. Cape Wickham - I do not want to play this too hard, I do not play anyway - has taken the coveted number one crown and joins Kingston Heath as the only two courses to topple Royal Melbourne in the four decades of the Australian Golf Digest list, which is considered the ultimate course-ranking list.

In fact, Tasmania boasted three courses in the top 10, the other two being in the member for McIntyre's electorate - Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm.

Even more recently, Blue Hills Honey also brought home a multitude of awards at the annual Tasmanian Beekeeping Association meeting, including the Reuben Charles Memorial Trophy for the World's Best Leatherwood Honey, again demonstrating the passion and commitment of our local producers and the exceptional quality of our products.

This only scratches the surface of the many high achievers and incredible businesses in my electorate. I commend all those individuals and businesses who make our region proud; too many to name here in the time available. I wanted to mention a few of those really outstanding recent achievements.