Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s briefcase, 175 years for a family-owned winery, national company merger, and a Renmark distillery recognised in Hong Kong.
Big birthday for family-owned winery
Next step in submarine project
Beresford Wines recognised
National merger for care providers
SA architects win nationally
Mitcham and Flinders partner for sustainability
State’s resource royalties break record
NDIS provider recognised
SmartSat and NZ funding
Local distillery wins in Hong Kong
SA partnerships for global company
Leading parental leave scheme announced
175 years for Australia’s oldest family-owned winery
Yalumba celebrated its 175th anniversary on November 17, with staff gathering at its Signature Vineyard for a tree-planting celebration.
Winemaker and head of sustainability Louisa Rose said the day was a “meaningful experience for our team to actively contribute to a more sustainable future”.
“Our Signature Vineyard, with its view over the Barossa Valley, is still relatively young and planted with Cabernet and Shiraz… This vineyard is set to play a pivotal role in our future, providing rapes for our most renowned wine, Yalumba The Signature.”
During its 175th year, the winery debuted a Museum Collection, with a limited selection of vintages from its finest wines, aged up to 20 years old. Yalumba will also release a limited-edition anniversary Shiraz Grenache blend, with grapes from some of the Barossa’s oldest vineyards.
Tripartite agreement for SA submarines
The federal government has entered into a collaborative mobilisation agreement with ASC and BAE Systems to build the SSN-AUKUS submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, covering planning, workforce development and procurement activities.
Under the agreement, the two companies will develop schedules for the build program, invest in the submarine workforce, procure long lead items, and undergo risk reduction through testing and evaluations.
“The enduring partnership between ASC and BAE Systems solidified today is a monumental strategic asset for Australia and one that will provide decades of certainty for our defence industrial base and financial security for thousands of workers,” Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said.
Beresford Estate was founded in 1985, and has received over 2000 medals and 200 trophies globally in its time. Photo: suppliedBeresford Wines win
Beresford Wines’ Classic Shiraz 2021 and Emblem ‘Old Vine’ Grenache 2023 both awarded 95-point Gold Medals at the McLaren Vale Wine Show, with the Emblam Granache having also earned a Gold at the James Halliday Grenache Challenge.
Head winemaker at Beresford Wines Chris Dix said winemaking in the McLaren Vale was a “privilege”.
“There’s a richness here that can’t be replicated – our vines, our soil, our climate. Every bottle we craft is a tribute to the land and to the generations of South Australians who made this region what it is. These accolades remind us why we do what we do.”
The winning Shiraz includes aromas of blueberry, red cherry, plum, eucalyptus and five-spice, aged in both French and American oak barrels.
The Grenache is sourced from Beresford’s 60-year-old bush vine vineyard, with notes of strawberry jam, cherry, dark plum, fennel and mint.
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“Our focus is on crafting wines with a story. With the Classic Shiraz and Emblem Grenache, we’re expressing the unique McLaren Vale and Blewitt Springs terroir. It;s rewarding to see these wines recognised for the care and passion behind every bottle,” Dix said.
National care providers merge
Baptcare, Baptist Care SA and BaptistCare have announced a merger, with the three faith-based care providers set to become one of Australia’s largest integrated care providers with over 12,000 staff offering services to over 38,000 people across NSW, the ACT, VIC, TAS, SA and WA.
The merger is expected to be completed in March 2025, with the board to be run by current Baptcare Board chair Tim Farren.
“We know that the sectors we operate in are under increasing pressure with greater demand for care and services and often fewer resources,” Farren said.
“In coming together, we can unlock operational efficiencies, synergies and innovations that will help to navigate these challenges and deliver real value and benefits to our workforce and our customers.”
The new organisation will be named in a consultation process and is expected to have a combined $1.2 billion in revenue.
Adelaide architecture firm celebrates 50 years
Franklin Street-based architecture firm Walter Brooke last week celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Founded in 1974, the firm is currently led by directors Eddie Typek, Mark Berlangieri and Anthony Balsamo.
Walter Brooke is the firm behind what’s set to be Adelaide’s tallest building and first skyscraper: Keystone Tower.
Director Balsamo said Walter Brooke has “embraced change, adapted to new technologies, and grown our team to reflect the evolving needs of our clients and communities” over the last 50 years.
“But what remains constant is our dedication to design and service,” he said.
Cox Architecture’s Adelaide Studio. Photo: Timothy KayeSA winners at national architecture awards
The Australian Institute of Architects 2024 National Architecture Awards were held on November 7 in Adelaide, with one South Australian company recognised among the 35 award winners.
Cox Architecture’s Adelaide studio won the National Award for Interior Architecture, having previously won the Robert Dickson Award for Interior Architecture at the 2024 South Australia Architecture Awards.
National Architecture Awards jury chair Stuart Tanners said multiple awards had been given to projects “where connection to Country has been intrinsically included from the design consultation stage”.
“Several projects are trailblazing examples of adaptive reuse where dilapidated buildings have been lovingly and expertly reengineered by the architects to become sublime, new community spaces for contemporary purposes.”
Mitcham Council partners with Flinders University
The City of Mitcham and Flinders University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide support to the community through research and educational programs, aiming to boost disaster resilience and preparedness.
The university’s research will be used with the council’s sustainability initiatives, delivering education on climate change impacts and clean energy and sustainability projects in the area.
“Together, we’re on the front lines of climate resilience, sharing data, expertise, and solutions that tackle climate risks heads-on and build a safer, greener future for our community,” Flinders vice-chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said.
“As South Australia’s leading sustainability university, Flinders is proud to work alongside the City of Mitcham to supercharge local climate resilience efforts, informing actions at locations where both organisations manage crucial assets serving thousands of residents, students and staff.”
SA resource royalties break records
South Australia’s mineral resources have seen record-breaking royalty receipts in the last financial year, totalling $422.4 million in an 11 per cent year-to-year increase.
Refined copper and copper products represented 15 per cent of South Australia’s exports in the 12 months to September 2024, worth $2.7 billion, with resources making up 39 per cent of the state’s $17.6 billion goods exports.
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“This is the first tie we’ve raced past $400 million in total royalty receipts, and much of this year’s record growth has come from some of the minerals considered essential to renewable energy and other technologies that will help decarbonise the global economy,” Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said.
Connect @ DTC, A Defence Teaming Centre event for South Australian businesses looking to pursue opportunities in the US submarine supply chain, venue TBD on November 18.
Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, a gala dinner by Food South Australia celebrating the food and beverage manufacturing industry, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on November 22.
Hydrogen Summit, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry event with a panel discussion including Mike Rann, Deloitte’s Maxence Cateau and SMART ENERGY COUNCIL’s Joanna Kay, at Festival Tower on November 26.
Celebrating 10 years of Awesomeness, a birthday celebration from the Awesome Foundation in celebration of $100,000 of grants over its 10 years, at Inparilla on November 29.
Never Waste a Good Crisis, an AmCham event about handling threats to business reputation and function, with Simon Hatcher of Hughes PR, Nikki Govan of AEDA and more, at SkyCity Adelaide on December 4.
Christmas Tchin Tchin, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry event to network, with the SA chapter head Florence Masters and YESmarketing CEO Darryl Durrant, at Club De Pétanque D’Adelaide on December 5.
SA NDIS provider wins national award
Utopia Care has been awarded the Most Outstanding Provider of Personalised Support in the NDIS sector in Australia at The Enablement Awards.
Founded in 2019, Utopia Care provides in-home support services, social and community support services, independent living support, short and medium-term accommodation, specialist disability accommodation, indiviualised living options and voluntary out-of-home care.
The award means Utopia Care will now be put forward for an international award, to be announced in December in London.
“There are so many great organisations working to improve the lives of people living with disability, and it’s fantastic to be recognised for the work we’ve put in and the differences we can make,” founder Tony Smith said.
SmartSat CRC and NZ Space Agency announce new round of funding
SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat) has announced the second round of jointly funded research projects with the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) under the Australia-New Zealand Collaborative Space Program, funding four new projects focussed on Earth Observation technology advancements.
The projects focus on crop and agricultural monitoring, advancing biomass mapping, and supporting indigenous communities.
The recipients are:
- Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, and Scion – Indigenous pathways to advance fuel moisture earth observation technologies for improved fire planning management strategies
- FrontierSI and Manaaki Whenua – Enhancing fractional cover models using hyperspectral data for improved pastoral condition assessment in Australia and New Zealand
- The University of Newcastle, FrontierSI and the University of Canterbury – Satellite sensing into agricultural practices: Phase – A ANZ/s Cal/Val campaigns of satellite, airborne and ground GNSS sensing of soil moisture
- CSIRO and the University of Auckland – SilverEye – Satellite imaging for land vegetation, environmental recovery in ecosystems and yield enhancement
Kelvin Kwok, director of Rising Dew Cellar Company (importer), Gareth Williams, Consul-General – Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong,Jiho Kim, Cluster Hotel general manager, the Arca Hotel. Photo: supplied
Renmark distillery wins big in Hong Kong
St Agnes Distillery has secured recognition for its St Agnes Brandy and Camborne Whisky at the 2024 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The St Agnes XO 15 Year Old brandy received the Best Brandy award, the Camborne Tawny Cask Whisky got the Best Worldwide Whisky/Whiskey Trophy, with eight medals also earned across its Blind Tiger Organic Gin, Camborne Whisky, and St Agnes Brandy.
“It’s fantastic to see the dedication of our small Renmark team recognised on the international stage,” managing director of St Agnes Distillery and Angove Family Winemakers Richard Angove said.
“We began making whisky in 2016 with the goal of slowly and carefully building a stockpile of exceptional single malt. Having one of our early releases earn international recognition is truly humbling.”
Zoho announces series of partnerships
Global technology company Zoho, which opened an Adelaide base in March, has announced partnerships with membership organisation SA Leaders, government-backed cybersecurity education initiative Cyber Wardens, various Local Government Councils, and Infoxchange.
“Since opening our new office in Adelaide earlier this year, we’ve built out our go to market team. Doing so in the thriving South Australian capital, rather than in traditional hubs like Sydney or Melbourne, aligns with our transnational localism strategy, through which we put down deep roots in areas not traditionally served by major technology companies,” Zoho head of Australia and New Zealand Rakesh Prabhakar said.
Local company extends parental leave scheme
Perks accounting and financial services firm has expanded its paid parental leave scheme to provide 26 weeks of paid leave for employees who are a child’s primary caregiver.
The previous scheme saw a maximum of 12 weeks leave, with CEO James Black saying the company believed the new entitlements to be “among the most generous for an independent firm in the professional services industry”.
“The new policy is also an important investment in our people, ensuring that we can continue to attract and retain talented staff by fostering a positive and supportive environment where they feel empowered to thrive personally and professionally.”
