David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Saturday the streets of beautiful Blackbutt, in my electorate, will be humming with locals and tourists for the Blackbutt Avocado Festival. Not only is the festival a huge boon for the Blackbutt community; it's a great opportunity to showcase Australia's sweetest and finest avocados, fresh from the Blackbutt area. The festival runs all day Saturday, and those going along will get to participate in avocado cooking lessons with Jason Ford, taste-test Blackbutt's best guacamole and try the very best produce the beautiful Blackbutt region has to offer. Locals and visitors will also get to dance the night away with the Rockin Bodgies, where the aim of the game is rock'n'roll. This will be the ninth birthday of a festival held annually by one of Queensland's friendliest towns to welcome in spring.

In fact, it's one of the largest community festivals held in the South Burnett region. Last year more than 5,000 people participated in a full itinerary of events. The event attracted about 3,000 tourists to the region. I encourage everyone to make a trip to the gateway to the South Burnett and check out what Blackbutt has to offer. While you are there, you can check out Blackbutt's iconic businesses from the Blackbutt Woodfired Bakehouse, which has the best lamb and rosemary pies in the country; the historic Ratnor Hotel; the renowned Benarkin General Store; the Bunya Nut Cafe and Scrubby Creek Bar; the Oasis Cafe; and the Edelweiss Cafe. You won't be disappointed you made a day of it.

I thank Jeff Connor and the Blackbutt Avocado Festival team for their tireless and passionate work. Their dedication is truly appreciated, particularly in their community and across the greater South Burnett region.