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Major grant for SA Great Regional Awards

20 April 2009

SA Great will receive a $90,000 grant to run its Regional Awards program in 2009, its 10th anniversary year.

The Minister for Regional Affairs, Paul Caica, announced the State Government grant, saying the awards play a valuable role in recognising and encouraging outstanding contributions to South Australia.

"The SA Great Regional Awards acknowledge the endeavour, drive and determination of people in our regions ... people who have made outstanding contributions to this State", he says.

"The awards cover all those important economic and cultural activities that make up a community and capture the essence of what it means to be South Australian.

"They range across the fields of business, sport, tourism, health and science, the environment and sustainability, community development and the arts.

"The awards are growing in stature and popularity, with an increase from 223 nominations in 2000 to 1,000 nominations in 2008.

 "I'm extremely pleased to announce that for the 10th anniversary year of the awards, the State Government, through the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED), will again be the major sponsor of the SA Great Regional Awards.

 "Over the nine years that the department has been a program partner with SA Great, it has not only provided critical funding for the Regional Awards, its regional managers have also been on the judging panels.

'The State's regional development boards, linked with DTED, have taken part in award promotion, selection and presentation."

Mr Caica thanked the involvement of the category award sponsors ETSA Utilities, Australia Post, Westpac, Nippy's, SA Tourism Commission and the Adelaide Showground.