Lameroo’s agricultural crown

THE small, yet iconic Mallee community of Lameroo has been recognised for its resilience, innovation and community spirit by being named South Australia’s Agricultural Town of the Year 2025.

The award was announced at the 2025 Regional Showcase Awards, held last November, in the Adelaide Hills.

Home to just under 900 people, Lameroo has been recognised for leading the way in sustainable farming, innovation, and agricultural education.

It was also commended for its ability to show resilience and community spirit during a particularly difficult year, with producers facing prolonged dry conditions.

Local resident Holly Byrne grew up in Lameroo and returned home in November 2024, after working as an editor for a design magazine in Dubai and travelling for many years around Europe.

She now works in a merchandise and sales role within her family business, Byrne Ag, in partnership with Nutrient Ag Solutions.

Ms Byrne played an integral part in the application process and said the award highlighted what made Lameroo such a special town, providing recognition for years of hard work.

“Winning the award was incredibly meaningful,” she said.

“It recognises what has been a challenging few years for our community, and it’s during times like these that our region’s resilience really comes through. The timing couldn’t have been better.

“Our growers and producers are incredibly resilient, and it’s important to have a positive story that reminds people just how much their work matters — not just locally, but beyond the region.

“It was a genuinely exciting moment and a great opportunity to celebrate the people who make Lameroo the town it is. We’re really looking forward to the official community celebration in the new year.

“I always knew I wanted to come home, so it felt particularly special that my first major community project was about celebrating just how strong Lameroo is.”

Ms Byrne said Lameroo farmers were always finding new ways of overcoming difficult challenges like low rainfall.

“Farmers here are progressive and highly innovative,” she said.

“They’re passionate about what they do and constantly looking for smarter, more sustainable ways forward — which was a key reason Lameroo stood out.

“We operate in a low-rainfall environment, and while everyone would welcome more rain, there’s a strong mindset here of adapting, rather than complaining. That practical resilience is what carries us.

“Sustainability came up a lot during the judges’ visit. For us, it isn’t a buzzword — it’s about learning not just how to survive, but how to build viable, successful businesses in tough conditions.

“That approach is how this district has overcome hardship, and it’s how it will continue to grow and progress into the future.”

Ms Byrne said several groups were instrumental in helping put together a winning submission, and contributing to making Lameroo the amazing town it was.

“The Southern Mallee District Council, led by CEO Jason Beaton, along with Nicole McMahon and the team at Lameroo Forward, were instrumental in bringing the submission together,” she said

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have that level of support locally.
“The Pye Group’s contribution to the town is significant, particularly through their support of local businesses and sporting clubs. Alongside McPiggery, they’ve played a central role in building a skilled, multicultural workforce that connects Lameroo to national and international markets.

“Sisters Lou and Bonnie, from Flohr & Co, are an enormous asset to our community. Their combined leadership in agriculture and science brings an exceptional depth of knowledge to the region.

“Their impact extends well beyond Lameroo. Lou won the Grains SA 2025 Inaugural Women in Grains award, and Bonnie is a CSIRO cropping scientist, so their knowledge base is second to none.

“The Lameroo Silo Art project has also transformed the town, driven tourism and foot traffic while celebrating our history. It’s now common to see caravans line up parked along the main street, something that was probably unheard of a few years ago.”

Ms Byrne said the community spirit was why Lameroo was so special to her, and this award would give the town a much-needed boost.

“The sense of community and the people here is why Lameroo is so special to me,” she said.

“There really is a lot of progressive vision and innovation, people are proactive and want to get things done. We look out for each other, and it’s a really positive community to be a part of.

“Recognition like this provides a real morale boost, particularly after a difficult period. It brings people together and gives the community something positive to rally around.

“Farmers don’t do what they do for recognition, and they certainly wouldn’t put themselves forward for an award like this. That’s why it was important for the community to do it on their behalf.

“You only have to look at businesses like McPiggery and the Pye Group, and the circular systems they have in place. The level of self-sufficiency is how operations like theirs survive and succeed and help the community to survive and succeed as a result.”

Ms Byrne said she hoped winning this award would support the community’s growth, and put Lameroo on the map as a regional tourist destination.

Established in 2019, the South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year Award recognises SA towns that excel in agricultural practices and are great places to live and work.

The award is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and is delivered in partnership with InDaily. It highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in regional development.