Lameroo Named South Australia’s Agricultural Town of the Year

Lameroo, SA IMAGE: PIRSA

The Mallee town of Lameroo has been named the winner of the 2025 Agricultural Town of the Year Award, a recognition that reflects the region’s thriving industries, strong community spirit, and innovative initiatives.

Speaking with Jess from the Country Viewpoint on FlowFM abut the achievement, Lameroo local, business owner and community volunteer, Nicole McMahon, described the accolade as a great source of pride for the entire community.

“It was really exciting. One of those things the community is just incredibly proud of,” Ms McMahon said.

Community-driven projects - like the town's picturesque silo art - have been central to Lameroo’s evolution and success over the years. The piece was spearheaded by local

by volunteer group Lameroo Forward - which Ms McMahon is a part of - and has become a standout feature for the town.

“The silo art was no easy feat," Ms McMahon said. "It was a bit ambitious, but we got it done and really happy with what it’s done for the community."

Lameroo’s Ag Town of the Year submission - a stand-out amongst a record-breaking number of entries this year - highlighted both its agricultural output and community cohesion. The town hosts a diverse busniess landscape, including large-scale enterprises like the $50 million potato packaging facility by the Zorilla Group, alongside family-run businesses such as McPiggery, managed by Ms McMahon and her family.

“These businesses aren’t just about production. They put back into the community, because you need a good community to have a good business,” Ms McMahon said.

During the judging visit, Ms McMahon said the community showcased its strengths across industry, education, and cultural engagement. Explaining that horticultural and broadacre farming projects, initiatives celebrating women in agriculture, and the town’s multicultural character were all part of the agenda, with each of these developments integral to the town's future.

“We’re now quite a multicultural community. All of that is about building a community and thinking about what’s next,” she said.

As with the silo art, volunteerism has been a driving force behind the town’s achievements. Ms McMahon emphasised the vital role of local engagement in shaping Lameroo’s identity.

“A lot of these initiatives, given our smaller size, are volunteer-driven. The council supports us, but it’s the community that really makes these projects happen,” she said.

Looking ahead, Lameroo is continuing to invest in local infrastructure and community facilities, including a new gym and netball hall. Ms McMahon highlighted the town’s determination to grow and thrive.

“We don’t just want to survive, we really want to thrive and be the best kind of town and community we can be,” she said.

As the winner of the 2025 SA's Agricultural Town of the Year Award, delivered by PIRSA in partnership with InDaily, Lameroo will  receive a community celebration event, a town entrance sign, a trophy and extensive media exposure highlighting its achievements and contribution to South Australia’s agricultural sector.

With just a population of 900, Lameroo was crowned from a record-breaking 96 unique nominations across the state, with Keith and Kimba named as the other two finalists. Keith and Lameroo are first time finalists for the award, while Kimba won the title in 2021 and was a finalist in 2020 and 2024.