Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s briefcase, community housing provider Junction launches a $9 million social housing development in Prospect, South Australian shiraz is showcased at the La Cité du Vin wine museum in France and a $28 million aged care centre opens in Uraidla. Plus, business events not to miss in May.
Junction has hosted a community celebration to officially open its $9 million social housing development at Prospect. Photo: Supplied.
Junction launches $9m Prospect social housing development
Churchill Road is now home to 22 one- and two-bedroom apartments as part of a $9 million social housing development by Junction.
Junction CEO Maria Palumbo said the site was ideally located near transport and key services within a vibrant precinct.
“Our revitalisation has created a thriving new, vertical community which 23 residents now call home,” she said.
“Previously there were three obsolete homes here. This is what renewal is all about.”
The project was awarded UDIA SA’s 2023 award for best-aged care and community housing development.
Palumbo said the curved precast concrete façade, exposed steel beams and quality materiality ensure the building will remain timeless.
The CEO added the community area on the ground floor would provide space for activities, services and events.
“This could include financial counselling, education sessions and allied health services among others,” she said.
“A ‘library borrow system’ for cleaning, gardening and general maintenance equipment has been set up to support residents.
“It is wonderful to now officially mark the opening of the building and celebrate with everyone involved in the project, especially those who call it home.”
– David Simmons
University of Adelaide named major partner for AEDA Business Summit
The institution will lead a Business Summit panel in May centring on the role of artificial intelligence in supporting and growing Adelaide’s economy, featuring the university’s Australian Institute of Machine Learning director Professor Simon Lucey.
University of Adelaide Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jessica Gallagher said the University – which is celebrating its 150th anniversary – had a long history of being at the heart of SA’s development.
“Adelaide is at the forefront of many innovative developments that underpin the revolution in AI and digitisation across the economy,” Professor Gallagher said.
“The university has 150 years of experience of collaborating with industry and government, both locally and nationally. We are developing smarter technology that will drive Adelaide’s productivity to benefit society.
“The business models of the largest and most successful corporations are underpinned by links to institutions like the University of Adelaide to work alongside innovative educators, world-class academics, and the workforce of the future.”
The panel – titled ‘The next 150 years: the transformative power of artificial intelligence’ – will also feature MMAPT head of AI Adrian Johnston, Associate Professor Devika Kannan, and Aurecon managing principal of digital David Mackenzie.
The AEDA Business Summit will be held on Wednesday 22 May at Adelaide Oval, with event formalities from 9am-3pm, and networking afterwards.
– David Simmons
William Buck Adelaide 2024 CFO Summit, at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, 15 May from 8:30am-5pm.
South Australian Festivals and Events Policy Forum at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, 7 May from 7:30-9:30am.
South Australia’s Economic Statement, an AmCham business lunch at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday, 7 May from 11:45am-2pm.
C-Suite Luncheon with the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Sofitel Adelaide on 9 May from 12-2.30pm.
Beyond Imagination – Bedford Gala Evening 2024 at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday, 4 May from 6:30pm-Late.
Securing South Australia’s Water Future, a CEDA portfolio update with Deputy Premier Susan Close at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday, 30 May from 12-2pm.
South Australian shiraz on display in France
Shiraz from wineries around South Australia are on display at the Via Sensoria exhibition running at world wine museum La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France.
Wine from Kalleske, Ochota Barrels, Patritti, Anderson Hill, Brash Higgins, Dandelion Vineyards, Heirloom Vineyards, Mitolo, Penfolds, Penley Estate, Pindarie Wines, Redheads Wines, Rymill Coonawarra, Saint-Clar Estate, Thistledown and Yalumba wineries are all set to appear at the exhibition.
The exhibition, running until November, features four pavilions representing a season each, with South Australia’s offerings to be found in the Autumn pavilion.
The exhibition will allow South Australian wine producers to contribute to the French museum’s wine literature archive.
Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven met with representatives from the Bordeaux wine industry in 2023, when she signed a three-year memorandum of understanding between Bordeaux’s La Cite du Vin and the South Australian Government.
Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago said he could “well remember when La Cité du Vin opened in Bordeaux”.
“We’ve been involved from the start. More so now. Just so pleased that PIRSA, The Great Wine Capitals Network and all our friends in Bordeaux have so strenuously embraced South Australian wine culture and history,” he said.
– Isabella Kelly
Photo: supplied
Professionals “rage-applying” for new roles as frustration with employers rises
Some 60 per cent of white-collar workers have admitted to “rage-applying” for new roles in research conducted by recruitment consultancy Robert Walter.
CEO of Robert Walter ANZ Shay Peters said the applications “stem from the work environment and policies, which lie entirely within the employer’s control”.
Rage-applying refers to employees sending out multiple job applications following a bad day at work, generally in a short space of time.
Around 65 per cent of professionals quoted toxic workplace culture as their primary motivating factor for rage-applying.
“Identifying toxic workplace cultures isn’t always a simple task, yet it can profoundly affect the mental well-being, morale, and creativity of employees,” said Peters.
– Louise Jackson
South Australia wins big at 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards
Five local small businesses have been recognised at the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards as Small Business Week kicks off in SA.
Port Pirie business ActFas won the award for Health Improvement Services, Dental Boutique Adelaide for Dental Services, Empire Dance Studio for Dance Studio award, Bring Me Magic won the Performing Arts award, and Plenty Catering Co was named best as the Catering Business of 2024.
The awards recognise the achievements and social, economic and cultural impact of Australia’s 2.5 million small business operators.
“Operating a small business today requires steadfast commitment, leadership, savviness, creativity, people skills, vision, social consciousness and a spirited drive,” said Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions Steve Loe.
– Louise Jackson
$28m aged care centre opens at Uraidla
An aged care offering from Clayton Church Homes (CCH) has opened at Uraidla that’s expected to be a boon for local businesses and the broader community.
The $28 million centre called Summerhill is based on a “healthy ageing model” according to Clayton Church Homes, and features private rooms with ensuites for all residents, high-speed Wi-Fi and 50-inch LED TVs.
It also has a gym, specialist dementia care support, landscaped gardens, and residents are offered a selection of meals cooked daily onsite.
Summerhill replaces a 25-room facility on the Greenhill Road site and more than doubles the capacity of the original building.
Uraidla Cottage Pharmacy is one business benefitting from the centre’s upgrade via a partnership with CCH which contracts the pharmacy to service Summerhill as well as the nearby Onkaparinga Valley Residential Care home at Woodside.
Uraidla Cottage Pharmacy owners and pharmacists Joan Heather and daughter Leilani La Vista said the partnership provided a “values-aligned” opportunity with the pharmacy recently purchasing a new, state-of-the-art dispensing machine to support its growth.
“For us it always has been, and always will be, about patient-centred care,” Heather, who established the business with her late husband, Stanley 35 years ago, said.
“Our customers and the local community are at the core of our business and working with CCH is an extension of that.”
– David Simmons
New sustainability workshops announced for small businesses
The Malinauskas Labor government has announced a series of free sustainability workshops, which it says will support small businesses to move towards a circular economy and net zero emissions.
The Small Business Sustainability Support Program is part of the state government’s $14 million Small Business Strategy.
Small and Family Business Minister Andrea Michaels said that the workshops will be delivered to 360 small businesses across the state by South Australian company 2XE Pty Ltd.
“Embracing more sustainable practices and a circular economy is an incredible opportunity for small business owners to expand into new markets and grow their businesses, while reducing their power bills,” said Michaels.
“Therefore, as part of our comprehensive Small Business Strategy, we are partnering with 2XE to help South Australian small businesses to better understand the emissions reduction landscape, take robust steps to improve their environmental sustainability, and ultimately help our state to achieve our net zero goals.”
The first workshop is set to be held on 1 May as part of the upcoming Small Business Week, which runs from 29 April to 3 May.
– Charlie Gilchrist
Photo: Supplied
Telstra launches new satellite internet service for rural Australia
Telstra has announced the launch of its Satellite Home Internet service in South Australia.
The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity is powered by Starlink – a satellite internet constellation owned and operated by SpaceX.
Telstra said the new service will offer high-speed, low-latency internet to remote parts of Australia.
LEO satellites are much closer to Earth than standard orbits and can send and receive signals much faster.
– Charlie Gilchrist
