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McEwen
Art event
hailed a
success

departs
PEOPLE from across
the region converged on
Mount Gambier’s Old
Gaol precinct on Saturday
for the conclusion of the
week-long 2009 National
Limestone Sculpture
Symposium to see what
the 29 participating
artists had created from
blocks of the region’s
stone.
an effective member of Cabinet. Artists travelled from
“He has not disappointed us.” across Australia and
The Premier said Mr McEwen had been a overseas to take part in
BY SANDRA MORELLO champion of regional and country Australia. the visual arts event.
Email: sandra@tbw.com.au “While the decision to join our Cabinet Many works were
INDEPENDENT Member for Mount Gambier ensured the government had the stability offered for sale at the
Rory McEwen yesterday officially resigned necessary in the Lower House to support the weekend before the
from his State Cabinet position, revealing he government’s important legislative reform sculptors began preparing
first considered retiring when he suffered his program planned for this term, we invited to return home.
heart attack. him to stay on in our second term because Guest artist Craig
“After nearly six and a half years in the min- his contribution had been so outstanding,” Medson of Queensland
istry and five as Minister for Agriculture, Food he said. said he had enjoyed
and Fisheries, I believe the time is right for me Mr Rann also paid homage to Corrections, a memorable week of
to retire from the ministry,” Mr McEwen said Road Safety and Gambling Minister Carmel sculpting and meeting
in a statement late yesterday afternoon. Zollo, who also offered her resignation yes- other artists and the
“After suffering a heart attack in August terday. public with friendly
2007 I considered retiring then, but I received He said two new ministers would be named people and fine weather
medical advice indicating I was still fit and after a caucus ballot this morning and sworn contributing to the
well enough to keep working, so I decided to in before Question Time in parliament. success.
continue as minister.” Mr McEwen was elected to State Parliament “Everyone learns -
Mr McEwen advised Premier Mike Rann in 1997 as a conservative Independent, after people from beginners
in October last year that he wished to retire losing Liberal preselection to a self-employed to advanced sculptors
from the ministry in early 2009 and return to sawmiller Scott Dixon. are here, but everyone is
his local duties as Member for Mount Gambier When Liberal member for Mount Gambier equal and there is a good
until the calling of the 2010 election. Harold Allison retired, Mr McEwen - who was sharing of knowledge and
“I look forward to returning to full-time duty chair of Grant District Council at the time - was learning,” he said.
as the Member for Mount Gambier,” he said. widely expected to win preselection. Dozens of South East
In the lead up to the 2006 state election, His narrow election win resulted in him - residents, including school
he said he made up his mind to retire as a along with two other conservative independents children, also learnt
cabinet minister about “a year out” from the - holding the balance of power in the Liberal about the art of limestone
2010 poll. Party’s minority government. sculpting at the event,
Meanwhile, Mr Rann - who received the But in an unorthodox move by the Labor from concept design
resignation from Mr McEwen at the end of Party which made history in South Australia, through to completion of
yesterday’s Cabinet meeting - paid tribute to Mr McEwen was offered a Cabinet position in works, picking up basic
his commitment. November 2002.
skills along the way in
“Rory McEwen was an Independent Liberal This move helped shore up a majority
workshops and gaining
Member when we decided to bring his rural government for Labor.
inspiration from the
expertise into the Cabinet in late 2002,” Mr Under his portfolio in cabinet, Mr McEwen
diverse array of creations.
Rann said. tackled a number of difficult issues such as pCompton eight-year-old Ryan Walter enjoys getting up close
“I said at the time he entered Cabinet that the ongoing drought and changes to fishing to a dolomite turtle at the 2009 National Limestone Sculpture •More stories and pictures
Mr McEwen had talent, ability, enthusiasm legislation and was embroiled in controversy Symposium. Picture: JASON WALLACE. in Thursday’s arts section.
and energy - all the qualities necessary to be surrounding political donations.

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