Taste Riverina Food Festival

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.

Riverina First Community Fund

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.

RDAF boosts Riverina industry development

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.   

100 Mile Challenge

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