Shaw + Smith awarded at international wine competition

The 2021 Shaw + Smith Balhanna Vineyard Shiraz received four trophies at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), held in London.

The Shiraz was awarded Best Australian Red, the South Australian Red Trophy, the South Australian Shiraz Trophy, and the Adelaide Hills Shiraz Trophy.

The $97 Shiraz is part of Shaw + Smith’s single vineyard trio, together with Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay and Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Chief winemaker and joint CEO Adam Wadewitz said it was “so good for our whole team to have their passion and hard work rewarded in London at the IWC”.

– Isabella Kelly 

KC Research & Solutions are attending the conference. Photo: supplied

Global space startups land in South Australia

Four space startups from around Australia and the world are attending the University of South Australia’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) Venture Catalyst Space program.

Adelaide’s KC Research & Solutions is developing a desktop mobile insulin farm to assist in streamlining insulin and storage production when and where it is needed, including in space.

Victoria’s RapidBeam, which is developing a scalable network of satellite communications terminals, unlocking commercial satellite capabilities, will also be at the program.

It is joined by Zharfire from Japan. This company uses satellite imagery to detect wildfires, using public satellite data and an open-source data stack. It provides analysis and insights for firefighting, with a potential expansion into deforestation and carbon credits on the cards.

Finally, Onnes Cryogenics will be attending from India. It is looking at fuel tanks for spacecraft and other launch vehicles made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, which is lighter than traditional metallic tanks.

The six-month program began last week, with the four companies joining a total of 35 startups that have gone through the program since it commenced in 2018.

– Isabella Kelly

Papyrus signs contracts with Egyptian government

Papyrus Australia Ltd, which developed technology to convert banana plantation waste into fibre and biodegradable food packaging products, has signed two contracts with the Egyptian Government’s National Authority for Military Production through its subsidiary Papyrus Egypt LLC.

The first contract involves the supply, supervision of installation and commissioning of a second production line of banana fibre moulded packaging.

The second contract involves the supply, installation and commissioning of equipment for a processing line to produce cellulosic fibre and organic liquid fertiliser from banana plantation waste.

The two contracts are valued at $2.5 million, with potential revenue of up to $4 million per year from moulded product sales by Papyrus Egypt LLC.

– Isabella Kelly 

RESERVED, a pop-up wine-tasting event hosted by the South Australian Wine Industry Association at the South Australian Museum on Friday, June 7.

SA State of the State: focus on critical service delivery, a CEDA event exploring critical services, the economy, government regulation, health and ageing with Ministers Nick Champion, Chris Picton and Nat Cook at the Adelaide Convention Centre on July 24.

Australian Space Cyber Forum, an annual event welcoming international speakers and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, at The Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday, June 26.

Santos signs supply contract with Hokkaido Gas

Santos has announced a long-term LNG Supply and Purchase Agreement with Japan’s Hokkaido Gas Co., set to supply approximately 0.4 million tonnes of LNG annually for ten years.

The supply will commence in 2027, with Hokkaido Gas and Santos intending to collaborate for the exploration of carbon sequestration and e-methane opportunities for carbon emission reduction across their portfolios.

Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said the contract was a “significant step in developing Santos’ equity LNG portfolio and establishes a long-term relationship with Hokkaido Gas”.

– Isabella Kelly

Spacetalk re-enters European market

Adelaide software company Spacetalk has entered a distribution agreement with Finland’s leading mobile operator, Elisa.

The partnership will see Spacetalk’s Adventurer 2 and Loop products available in 67 Elisa stores, as well as online, through a 12-month exclusive contract for the Finnish telco retail market.

Annual unit sales have been estimated at 5000, with an initial stock intake of 1600 devices.

The agreement comes after a “strategic pause in international activities” in 2023 by the business, which said it used the time to “refine our business approach and cost structure”.

Spacetalk CEO and managing director Simon Crowther said “after recalibrating our strategy in 2023, we are now leveraging established relationships and a robust business model to ensure profitable growth”.

– Isabella Kelly

The Hygiene Co co-founders Corey White and Phil Scardigno. Photo: David Simmons/InDaily.

First Australian flushable wet wipes hit shelves

The first batch of Australian-made certified flushable wet wipes, produced by The Hygiene Co. based in Woodville North, hit Foodland shelves last week.

The wipes are made with wood pulp, and underwent seven stages of testing to receive the new Australian and New Zealand Flushable Products Standard.

There were 1155 reported blockages across Adelaide in 2022-2023 due to wet wipes, with SA Water spending more than $2  million last financial year redirecting “unflushable” materials like wet wipes to landfill.

The Hygiene Co. director Phil Scardigno said the wipes were different from “traditional wet wipes”, saying the fabric is “non-woven and is made to mirror toilet paper by breaking down quickly in water as it flows through the sewer network”.

– Isabella Kelly 

Civil Contractors Federation Industry and Training Awards

The Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) SA Industry and Training Awards were held on May 24, recognising achievements in the civil construction industry, from project management to training and workforce development accomplishments.

John McMichael, who was involved in the Market to Riverbank, Bowden Redevelopment, Tonsley Village, and more, received a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside Bull Bros Earthmoving, which has been in business for 74 years, and Humes Concrete Products, which deliver bridges, platforms, road and rail infrastructure, and tunnels and traffic management solutions, among other things.

Howard Dicker was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night. With a civil career spanning almost 80 years, Dicker began work at age 13 at the end of World War II, and later took over the family transport business, HF Dicker & Son.

Other winners:

• Certificate IV Civil Construction Supervisor of the Year: Christopher Lewis, Bardavcol Pty Ltd
• Manager of the Year: Isaac Christian, West Coast Bitumen
• Best Training to Employment Outcomes: Jake Ellis, Leed Engineering and Construction
• Women in Civil Award: Kirsty Hogarth, CPB Contractors
• Future in Civil Award: Nicholas Dawson, BMD Group
• Quiet Achiever Award: Rhys SMart, DM Roads
• Harry Wauer Memorial Award – Civil Construction Apprentice of the Year: Liam Cranage, SADB

– Isabella Kelly 

Fourth Soup & Sleep fundraiser coming

Food on the Table is holding its fourth Soup & Sleep fundraiser on June 6, aiming to raise funds for South Australians going without food and shelter.

Held at the organisation’s headquarters in Hindmarsh, Soup & Sleep will see meals made by local chefs and free entertainment, with patrons, performers, sponsors and the public sleeping on a piece of cardboard outside.

Food on the Table has provided over 90,000 meals this financial year, delivering an average of 2000 meals each week to Adelaide charity partners, including domestic violence shelters, emergency housing, and Hutt Street Centre.

Credit Union is supporting the cause, with SA CEO Todd Roberts saying the event was “a powerful reminder of the influence we have in our community when we’re united”.

– Isabella Kelly

Photo: Australian Distilling Co.

Adelaide gin voted best in the world

Adelaide-based Australian Distilling Co.’s Geelong Gin has been awarded the world’s best gin, competing against more than 60 gins.

Hosted in Los Angeles, the SIP Awards are the only annual global spirits competition, with anonymous consumers serving as judges.

Geelong Gin won against 64 gins from distilleries around the world including Highclere Castle, Brockman’s, No. 3 London Dry Gin and Eden Mill St Andrew’s.

– Isabella Kelly

Nominations open for global wine award

Nominations have opened for the 2025 Great Wine Capitals’ Best of Wine Tourism Awards, which recognise the role of wine tourism in regional economies.

As a member of the Great Wine Capital Global Network, South Australian wineries have the opportunity to apply alongside other Great Wine Capitals, including Bordeaux and the Napa Valley.

Categories for the awards include accommodation, architecture and landscape, art and culture, culinary experiences, innovative wine tourism experiences, wine tourism services, and sustainable wine tourism practices.

To nominate for the awards, visit www.adelaidegreatwinecapital.com.au

– Isabella Kelly

Accounting firm Holman Hodge launches a new co-working space

Accounting firm Holman Hodge has officially opened its new co-working space, the “Next Curated Workplace”, at 45 Pirie Street.

The new space was designed by the Australian design and architecture firm Designinc and accommodates up to 90 people, including Holman Hodge’s own staff.

Next features collaborative working spaces including meeting rooms, quiet rooms and a board room, while shared facilities include a function space, end-of-journey amenities, and a managed reception.

“It is designed for people to share their knowledge and learn from others to enhance their own skills and their business. It means smaller businesses don’t need to commit to a lease agreement and can easily flex up or down if they need to,” said Holman Hodge Director Lisa Pritchard.

– Charlie Gilchrist