The visit of the “friendly governor” kept everyone talking in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys District, when His Excellency, Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce spent a busy three days in the district last week.

At each stop of the packed itinerary His Excellency made sure he spent time talking to everyone present, opening conversations with a disarming “I’m Kevin”.

The Tarlee community was the first stop on Monday, May 5, for afternoon tea, followed by a tour of Taylors Wines.

In the evening service club members were invited to a mayoral reception at the Valleys Lifestyle Centre in the sports club, where groups were presented with commemorative plaques.

Clare High School students Emma Ayliffe and Joel Dunstan spoke about attending the National School Science Forum in Canberra, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Clare.

On Tuesday morning his Excellency set off on a ride along the Riesling Trail with Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council mayor Allan Aughey and chief executive officer Roy Blight. The remainder of the day was taken up with a visit to Riverton and District High School, the Saddleworth Library and lunch at Sevenhill Cellars before opening the Hutt River Linear Boardwalk.

Wednesday saw a tour of global biopharmaceutical company Protherics’ Mintaro site followed by a driving tour of Clare before the Governor arrived at the Clare Showgrounds to open the Clare Valley Field Day, which was his final engagement of the visit.