It’s all about the regions – celebrating success and combatting issues

On his first official visit to Western Australia, His Excellency Mr Werner Matías Romero, Ambassador of El Salvador, visited Government House today. Accompanied by his husband, author Mr Roger Atwood, who is researching WA’s naval archaeology for a magazine article. Ambassador Romero was interested to learn about our electoral system which contrasts with the political fragility in his homeland. He shared that WA has the fourth-largest population of Salvadorans in the country. Governor Beazley expressed his appreciation for Latin Americans here who bring a vibrancy to our community that is much treasured.

Before departing, Mr Romero presented the Governor with a gift of Salvadoran coffee. These beans are widely accepted as being some of the highest-quality beans on the market and are known for their distinctive citrus taste.

Combating violence in the regions

Invited guests deep in discussion on the issues.

Founded in 2017 by Fleur McDonald, DVassist addresses the complex issues of abusive relationships in regional, rural, and remote areas of Western Australia. A pressing topic, in 2021 DVassist saw 62,000 clients access their website. Currently, DVassist services 56 regions within WA, with the aim of expanding to all 97, and works with 1,399 service providers conducting outreach in 19 regional towns.

Members of the organisation were invited to a working lunch at Government House, alongside key stakeholders, to update the Governor on their progress and speak of their future goals and collaborative opportunities.

The Governor speaks with Mr Greg Hebble, DVassist and Ms Hilary Macdonald, Northern Star Resources

Guests included Mr Greg Hebble, CEO of DVassist, Ms Jane Cutler BE MEnvSci MBA FAICD FIChemE, Board Chair of DVassist, Dr Carolyn Harris Johnson B.App.Sc.(Social Work);MA;PhD. AMHSW, Social Work Consultant, Mr Michael Erickson, Senior Vice President Australia of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr Kevin Brown, CEO Perth Airport, Ms Hilary Macdonald, Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary of Northern Star Resources, Sergeant Chad Butler-Henderson OIC | MWG District Family Violence Unit of WA Police, Mr Robert Carruthers, Director of Policy & Advocacy for CMEWA, Mr Matthew Gleeson, Human Resources and Employee Relations Director of Alcoa, Ms Jeanette Hasleby, Senior Manager Community Development of Roy Hill, Mr Lorry Mignacca, Chief Executive Officer of Talison Lithium, Mr Pasquale Princi, Director of JBC Corporate, Mr Chris Reed, Managing Director of Neometals, Ms Jessica Taylor, Director of Gender Equality at Minderoo Foundation and Ms Chantelle Thom, Principal Advisor Inclusion & Diversity at Rio Tinto.

Celebrating regional contribution

The Governor addresses those present.

The agricultural industry has long been the backbone of Western Australia. Every year the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) hosts the Royal Show event to showcase the regions and allow our farmers a moment in the spotlight. An educational and family-fun event, the Perth Royal Show is significant for job creation and profiling excellence in the agricultural industry. Alongside the Show, RASWA also offers education scholarships to young Western Australians and recognises leadership through the Rural Ambassador Awards, as well as the Agriculture Hall of Fame.

The latter of which, was the focus of today’s celebration.

RASWA President, Mr David Thomas, says a few words before the portrait reveal.

The Agriculture Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to commemorate the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry. Housed in one of the oldest buildings at the showgrounds, the Hall of Fame offers a offers a unique educational experience and is opened to the community both during the Perth Royal Show and by appointment at other times of the year.

This year’s inductee is Dr Graham Crosbie the man that lead to WA being the major world supplier of specialised wheats for the Japanese and Korean udon noodle market.. His portrait, as painted by Fremantle artist Tatyana Soboleva, was unveiled by RASWA President, Mr David Thomas.

The artist unveils the portrait to much applause.

In his speech, the Governor stated,

“What Dr Crosbie has done is quite remarkable. He has done the wheat-based equivalent of selling ice to the Inuit.

By – quite literally – using his noodle, he has developed specialised wheat products for the Japanese and Korean markets, and there can be no more discerning place on earth for these products.

So, to penetrate those markets – whose patrons have the most discerning palettes – with our wheat which is the highest quality – this is an outstanding achievement.”

The Governor and Dr Graham Crosbie discuss wheat next to Dr Crosbie’s portrait.

Identifying what was required, Dr Crosbie devised a comprehensive plan to service this market. First, he worked closely with Japanese manufacturers to understand the exacting characteristics of udon noodles. Then, as a first-class cereal chemist, he defined these characteristics and developed techniques to measure them so that Western Australian cereal breeders could produce specialist varieties. Finally, as a member of several high-level advisory groups, he convinced the industry to segregate these new wheats to allow them to be marketed successfully. His vision and skills in defining the chemical basis for breeders to develop unique varieties and his proficiency in negotiating with both the Japanese noodle industry and the Australian wheat industry to create a new and highly profitable trading product identify him an agricultural pioneer in this State.

Thank you

The Governor, Ms Annus, guest of honour Professor John Newnham AM and family stop for a photo.

“A delightful dinner with Professor John Newnham AM and his family. He is a wonderful West Australian and Australian with whom Government House has had many dealings. It was good to be able to acknowledge his major contribution to the community through his magnificent work and research at King Edward Memorial Hospital.”

View all Articles