Waikerie close to Ag Town honour

WAIKERIE is one of three regional communities that have reached the final round of the 2026 Agricultural Town (Ag Town) of the Year Award program.

The annual award celebrates the strength and vitality of the state’s agricultural sector, highlighting towns that embrace their farming heritage and demonstrate foresight, innovation, and community spirit.

Now in its eighth year, the award is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), delivered in partnership with Solstice Media – publisher of South Australian publications InDaily SA and SALIFE.

Burra, in the Mid North, and Cummins, on Eyre Peninsula, have also been selected as contenders for the award, by independent judges Kris Lloyd, Professor Simon Maddocks and Joyce Ceravolo.

These finalists were chosen after assessing applications from the top 10 towns, as voted by the public.

Each town has a storied history in this annual program, with Burra reaching the finals in 2024, Cummins reaching the top 10 in 2024 and 2025, and Waikerie making a comeback after previously reaching the top 10 in 2023, and top 5 in 2022.

To determine the winner, the three judges will visit each finalist town to experience the innovation, community spirit, and contributions to the primary industries sector.

The award winner will be announced at the 2026 South Australian Regional Showcase Awards later this year.

The winning town will receive a certificate and trophy, town entrance signage recognising their achievement, a community celebration, and sign-unveiling ceremony.

They will also receive valuable media exposure including a double-page feature in SALIFE magazine and coverage from InDaily SA, and networking opportunities throughout the program and at the awards event.

Previous winners include Cleve (2019), Pinnaroo (2020), Kimba (2021), Mypolonga (2022), Wudinna (2023), Penola (2024) and Lameroo (2025).

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said “it was wonderful to see Burra, Cummins and Waikerie had each made it to the final three in this year’s Ag Town of the Year program”.

She congratulated each of the towns for making it this far.

“The Ag Town of the Year Award is all about celebrating the country towns that demonstrate strength, innovation and leadership,” Ms Scriven said.

“These three towns are outstanding examples of rural communities that are vibrant, hard-working, and fantastic places to live.

“I look forward to seeing which town comes out on top and joins this growing network of Ag Town of the Year Award recipients.”