Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

My electorate of Mayo was home to one of the most recognisable landscape artists in South Australia and indeed Australia—Sir Hans Heysen. Sir Hans was a man and an artist ahead of his time. He was an ardent conservationist, and he changed the way our nation depicted its environment. He made his home at The Cedars in Hahndorf, and this property was visited by many famous dignitaries, including ballerina Anna Pavlova.

The property, including Sir Hans Heysen's art gallery, has recently been purchased from the Heysen family to keep this treasure in public ownership. Now the foundation behind this purchase has a new vision—a world-class art gallery to be called The Cedars. I've been involved with the foundation's campaign since my election in 2016. This could and should be our MONA.

I'm pleased to announce that my state colleagues in SA-BEST have pledged $3 million towards the $14 million project. SA-BEST and NXT see this as an investment and a priority for South Australia and the Adelaide Hills. Now it's time for SA Labor and the SA Liberals to pledge their support. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it needs both state and federal government support to get it off the ground. I'm very pleased to support that and look forward to other state parties doing their bit.

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