Wagga Wagga based agri-tourism enterprise Food I Am was announced as a recipient of the Australian Government Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) Grants funding in 2013.

The funding will allow Food I Am to construct the Food I Am Headquarters in Wagga Wagga, providing facilities for hands-on classes, demonstrations and meeting rooms. Modern contemporary facilities will be built to assist in the enterprises aims of supporting regional producers and providing quality food experiences.

As part of the TIRF Grants application, RDA-Riverina provided Food I Am with a letter of support. The aims of the grants were to boost the quality of tourism visitor experiences in regional areas and Food I Am demonstrated this on a number of levels. RDA-Riverina is a strong supporter of innovative projects and initiatives in the region and encourages organisations to apply for grant programs which may assist in achieving this.  

Learn more about what Food I Am has to offer.

RDA Riverina hosted two Food Futures Forums in July this year. The first on Wednesday, July 10 was held in Griffith at  Westend Estate attracted 69 attendees.

The second was held on Thursday, July 11 in Wagga Wagga at the Country Club with 70 attendees.

The two days event culminated in the Riverina Grown Regional Dinner held on the Thursday night at the Wagga Country Club.

Chaired by Rose Wright of Knowledge Transfer Services, Rose was also a Key Note Speaker across the two days.

The event was supported by Griffith City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, ABC Riverina, NSW Trade and Investment, Riverina Regional Tourism, TAFE Riverina Institute and the EH Graham Centre.

Speakers covered a range of topics including:

• The Future of Agriculture in a Changing Market
• Consumer Trends What Drives Purchasing Decisions
• Coss Sectorial Collaboration-Leverageing the Visitor Economy

Presentations from local producers was a highlight of the two day regional event. To view interviews from local producers please visit

RDA-Riverina is working alongside Rising Generations to conduct a number of Youth Mental Health Forums across the Riverina.

The Forums involve inviting young people from regional high schools, youth services, faith based groups, refuges and community groups from across the Riverina to identify and discuss the major issues with Mental Health facing young people.

Gaining insight directly from young people into the gaps in service provision in the school system and community has helped in fostering resilience, leadership and strategies to address Mental Health issues for our young people. The overall aims of the programs are to develop leaders who realise their own potential to serve others and make a difference in their school and community. It is hoped that through these leaders, vibrant and positive school and work communities can be created which will further encourage and empower the youth of the Riverina.

RDA-Riverina has been a major supporter for this program by funding the project through a government grant. 

As part of an ongoing commitment to youth leadership across the Riverina, RDA-Riverina announced its support for the 2013 National Rural Women’s Conference and sponsored three young women to attend the inaugural conference.

The NRWC was held 18 – 20 February 2013 in Canberra and featured more than 30 exceptional presenters who shared their experiences of business, community, rural issues and the joys and challenges of rural life. 380 women from across the country attended the conference, with more than 35 representatives from the Riverina region.

RDA-Riverina offers a number of youth-focused sponsorship opportunities throughout the year and encourages youth with a passion for improving and contributing to their communities to apply.

Visit Media Releases to learn more about the young women who attended the conference.

In 2012, RDA-Riverina collaborated with a broad range of community groups to see the region’s inaugural Taste Riverina Festival roll out over a month-long calendar of events.

From 100 mile meals, celebrity chefs, wine events, food classes, food treks, agriculture tours and community garden programs, the event brought together all sectors of the communities across the Riverina and provided a great source of pride and excitement.

Events such as the Taste Riverina Food Festival have helped showcase the region’s leading industry – agriculture – and have contributed to a number of key priorities for the Riverina, namely youth leadership, skill and workforce development, and promotion of the region.

“From the ‘paddock to the plate’ there is much to celebrate in our region and the Taste Riverina Food Festival provided the opportunity to reinvigorate local perceptions and allowed the Riverina to increase awareness of the exciting nature of our leading industry, educating people regarding the key importance of the growing food and fibre industry to not only our region but also the nation as a whole,” Tom Watson, RDA-Riverina Chairman.

Learn more about the Taste Riverina Food Festival.

The Riverina First Community Fund is a philanthropic fund used for improving social, cultural and community services and facilities in Riverina communities.

RDA-Riverina Chairman, Tom Watson, said “The Riverina First Community Fund is all about engaging and assisting community activities and allowing people in the region to develop regional solutions to community challenges and direct funding toward the things that matter to them most. We are pleased to be able to see these worthy projects get the funding that is sometimes difficult to raise yet desperately needed.”

A number of vital projects have been completed as a result of funding from the Riverina First Community Fund, including mobile base stations in Rankins Springs, Walla Walla, Marrar and Holbrook, the delivery of ADSL to several communities throughout the Riverina.

Since its inception in 2003 the Riverina First Community Fund has benefited a broad cross section of the community including art, charity, school, Indigenous and sporting groups, with in excess of $350,000 contributed to the various projects.

Visit the Funding page for more information.

The former Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Simon Crean MP, visited Wagga Wagga on 6 June 2012 to make an announcement regarding a new Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub. 

The new development, which will deliver strong economic dividends for Wagga, has been given the green light after securing $14.5 million from Round Two of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).

The Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub will provide freight consolidation, logistics support and open access to rail transport services for businesses throughout the Riverina and Murray regions. The RDAF funding will support the construction of master siding, an access drive and rail underpass. RDA Riverina is at the forefront of boosting regional business growth and supporting economic development and this investment will be a major contributor to the region’s future prosperity.   

On 30 October, 2011 five NSW regions competed in the inaugural 100 Mile Challenge, including the Riverina, Mid North Coast, South Coast, Southern Highlands and Central Ranges.

The event was launched as part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, with individual events held in the five regions and culminating in Sydney with a gigantic cook off.

The aim of the 100 Mile Challenge was for each of the regions to create a three course meal using produce sourced from within a 100 mile (or 160km radius).

The Riverina team consisted of representatives from RDA-Riverina and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute – Wagga Wagga and Albury campus, working together to provide a sumptuous showcase of Riverina food and wine.

Watch the YouTube video to see the Riverina team in action at the 100 Mile Challenge.

For more information on the event visit 100 Mile Challenge.  No Page