Seppeltsfield and Penny’s Hill sign with Domaine Wine Shippers

Seppeltsfield and Penny’s Hill, owned by The Randall Wine Group, have announced a new partnership for exclusive national distribution with Domaine Wine Shippers.

The Randall Wine Group is Australia’s largest private luxury vineyard holder, with over 9000 acres and a portfolio of wine brands including Seppeltsfield and Penny’s Hill.

Executive chairman and proprietor of Seppeltsfield and Penny’s Hill Warren Randall said “after an extensive search, Domaine Wine Shippers were an absolute stand out strategic distribution partner for us”.

Domaine Wine Shippers CEO Melinda Steel said “bringing these wonderful brands into the Domaine Wine Shippers fold is full circle for me, having grown up in a wine family and always having the iconic Para Port in the cellar”.

-Isabella Kelly

Space Agency grant to fund Myriota space comms project

A $1.5 million investment from the Australian Space Agency will support the development of Adelaide-based Myriota’s compact space communications payload project.

Myriota hopes its tech will enable resilient, flexible and scalable radio communications in off-world environments.

Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said the project would drive job growth in the space industry and expand Australia’s sovereign capabilities.

“This project is another example of how Australian innovation can contribute to global space missions, while ultimately enhancing the critical technologies that can improve lives here on Earth,” Palermo said.

– David Simmons

A render of RAA’s new West Croydon technical centre. Photo: RAA.

New technical centre for RAA

The RAA has signed a long-term lease for a new, purpose-built technical centre at West Croydon to open in the first half of 2026 with more than 400 employees.

The centre will be built at 599 Port Road and will offer the services members currently access at the company’s Mile End office like automotive services and the Child Safety Centre.

RAA CEO Nick Reade said the announcement secured the organisation’s office footprint “for years to come”.

“The move from our Mile End office as a result of the T2D project presents us with an opportunity to secure our future,” Reade said.

“Last year we moved a couple of hundred staff into RAA Place as we had well and truly outgrown Mile End, and late in April we signed a lease for 150 Grenfell St.

“We’ve now signed a long-term lease for the RAA Technical Centre, which will provide our workforce with the tools they need to best serve our 820,000 members for years to come.”

– David Simmons

New state government supply chain strategy released

The state government has released a new Freight and Supply Chain Strategy for South Australia, developed in consultation with industry leaders.

It provides a suite of outcomes, responses and strategic actions that will guide supply chain policy, planning and investment.

Four strategic outcomes have been included which cover safety, productivity, sustainability and an emphasis on stakeholder outcomes.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the strength of South Australia’s freight and supply chain was “fundamental to the prosperity of our state”.

“The new Freight and Supply Chain Strategy outlines our vision for the sector with strategic actions that will enable us to meet South Australia’s growing and evolving freight task,” Koutsantonis said.

“Throughout this process, we have worked collaboratively with the industry, and look forward to continuing to do so as we deliver this strategy.”

– David Simmons

An image of South Australia’s first satellite, Kanyini. Image supplied

AI used to develop space smoke detection

Australian scientists have used AI technology to develop a system for cube satellites that can detect fires from space 500 times faster than traditional on-ground image processing.

A project funded by SmartSat CRC and led by UniSA has used AI technology to develop energy-efficient early smoke detection systems to go on board the state’s first cube satellite, Kanyini.

The satellite sensor captures reflected light to generate surface maps for bushfire monitoring, water quality assessment and land management.

UniSA geospatial scientist Dr Stefan Peters said in most sensor systems “only a fraction of the data collected contains critical information related to the purpose of a mission”.

“We have overcome this by training the model to differentiate smoke from cloud, which makes it much faster and more efficient,” Peters said.

– Isabella Kelly

Whitebark to raise funds for hydrogen production plan

A $1.5 million capital raise will accelerate the development of Whitebark’s plans to produce hydrogen using geothermal energy.

The company says it will target early commerciality of hydrogen production using geothermal energy with the funds.

If it succeeds, it will be the first company in Australia to commission a commercial geothermal project.

“We are very pleased with the strong support that has been received for the placement, particularly at such a critical point in our company’s long term growth strategy,” Whitebark chairman Mark Lindh said.

“We are grateful to our shareholders for their continued support and are pleased to offer them the opportunity to participate in the capital raising via the entitlement offer.”

– David Simmons

Building Sustainability in Australia’s Health System, a CEDA live stream looking at the critical link between environmental and human health, with Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association CEO Kylie Woolcock and Tays Heart Hospital vice president Aki Haukilahti, June 21.

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

Recession or Depression, a breakfast to discuss Australia’s economy with Rick Persse from the Department of Treasury and Finance, Tammy Barton from MyBudget and senior economist Dr Genevieve Knight, at the Playford Hotel on June 26.

Charting New Waters, a conversation around AUKUS with the director-general of the Australian Submarine Agency and more, at the Playford Hotel on July 2.

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.

Hospitality peak body releases industry sustainability guide

The South Australian arm of the Australian Hotels Association has released a new Sustainability Guide for the sector in collaboration with the state government’s Green Industries SA and sustainability consultants 2XE.

The guide provides resources to empower hotels to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

AHA SA CEO Anna Moeller said she was thrilled to unveil the guide.

“Environmental sustainability has played a pivotal role in South Australia’s history, driven by a commitment to protecting our pristine natural environment,” Moeller said.

“Our state has been a trailblazer, being the first to ban plastic bags in 2009 and setting Adelaide on course to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city.

“We have developed this guide so that our hotel members are well supported in their endeavours towards more sustainable options and can realise the real money-saving opportunities that come along with a more effective use of resources.”

– David Simmons

UniSA has announced a new early education degree. Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP

UniSA launches early education degree

UniSA has announced a new Bachelor of Education Early Childhood (Birth to Five) degree, developed in response to the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

The three-year degree will deliver job-ready teachers to support young children in their formative years. It is the first of its kind in South Australia.

Applications are now open for 2024 midyear entry, with UniSA Dean of Programs: Education Futures professor Anne-Marie Morgan saying the degree would “ensure students have access to the latest research to support the development of young children”.

“Our new degree has been designed to meet current and future workforce demands. Through this degree, we will continue to build a professional and highly skilled generation of teachers who can confidently support young children to reach their full potential,” Morgan said.

– Isabella Kelly

Duxton Farms divests its largest property

Adelaide-based Duxton Farms has sold its Timberscombe cropping property for $70 million.

The land, near West Wyalong in New South Wales, is the company’s largest plot and has been managed by the group since 2008.

The sale price represents an 18.6 per cent uplift in value from the last valuation conducted in 2023.

Duxton Farms said the divestment was “intended to rebalance the portfolio and allow the company to redeploy capital to focus on new growth opportunities in Australian agriculture”.

– David Simmons

Over 25 local businesses have collaborated to support a home being built for charity. Photo: supplied

Home-building charity collaboration

Three South Australian entities have partnered to build a luxury home in Mount Barker to be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Variety SA.

Emerald Way Mount Barker owner and director Joe Belperio donated the land, in memory of his late daughter Amelie, who will be the namesake of the home.

Urban Edge SA is donating the build of the double-storey house with the assistance of tradies, contractors and others subsidising costs of materials and labour.

Century 21 SA are coordinating the marketing and eventual auction of the building, also committing to raising additional funds.

More than 25 local businesses have supported the project through donations of time, services and products.

The home will be available for viewing in November this year, with the auction set for December.

– Isabella Kelly

Minda aquatic centre upgrade

Intellectual disability provider Minda will begin a redevelopment at its Brighton aquatic centre this month, in the first major upgrade for the space since its opening in 1981.

The centre provides services for over 680 allied health clients and 23,000 hydrotherapy pool users annually.

The redevelopment will include an accessible gym, purpose-built consulting rooms, Minda Allied Health reception and collaborative working space.

Minda chief executive David Panter said the change would be “focused on using the footprint size more efficiently”.

“It will significantly improve the user experience and create a more inviting environment through the introduction of more natural light as well as enable us to invite more clients and pool users to access the spaces in coming months,” Panter said.

– Isabella Kelly