Month / Jul 2017

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Elon Musk to speak at International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide

By Jim Plouffe

After weeks of rumours it has been confirmed that SpaceX boss Elon Musk will speak at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide at the end of September.

The tech billionaire hinted at revealing his latest Mars plans in Adelaide when speaking at the International Space Station Conference in Washington DC two weeks ago.

According to IAC organisers Elon has since been locked in to speak to delegates on the final afternoon of the congress on September 29.

SpaceX and Telsa CEO Elon Musk was in Adelaide earlier this month to announce its 100MW Tesla battery project alongside South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill. Picture: Andre Castellucci/InDaily

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk was in Adelaide earlier this month to announce its 100MW Tesla battery project alongside South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill. Picture: Andre Castellucci/InDaily

Elon has plans to develop technologies that would help colonise Mars.

IAC 2017 CEO Brett Biddington AM said Elon will speak for an hour, including a Q&A session and the talk would be live-streamed on social media.

Biddington said Elon’s decision to update the global space community about his plans to colonise Mars would be welcomed by delegates to IAC 2017.

“Younger people especially are inspired by Musk’s innovation and entrepreneurship and the opportunity to hear of his plans first hand is a rare privilege,” Biddington said.

Although the final day of the congress is open to the public, only registered delegates will be eligible to attend Musk’s talk in person.

The 68th International Astronautical Congress will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in South Australia from 25-29 September and is set to attract around 3500 international and local delegates, including the world’s leading space agencies.

The South Australian government is developing a space industry and has enlisted 11 local space start-ups, including Myriota, Fleet Space Technologies, Neumann Space and Inovor Technologies, to increase their footprint in the multi-billion-dollar global space industry.

Elon visited Adelaide earlier this month to announce the partnership between his company Tesla and French renewable energy company Neoen for the 100MW/129MWh battery at Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm in the state’s Mid North.

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Microsoft hits the heart of innovation in Adelaide

By Melissa Keogh

Two years have passed since global tech giant Microsoft provided a boost to South Australia’s economy by bringing an innovation centre to Adelaide.

Since March 2015, the Microsoft Innovation Centre South Australia (MICSA) has engaged with 120 start-ups, created more than 60 jobs in SA, and reached over 3500 people through various initiatives.

MICSA, located on Pirie Street, aims to nurture local talent by supporting start-ups, entrepreneurs and students, and driving the growth of small to medium businesses.

Adelaide was chosen ahead of Sydney and Melbourne to host the second innovation centre in Australia after one launched in Brisbane in 2012.

The centre provides resources such as training events and workshops, software and cloud credit, access to meeting rooms, and opportunities for students and companies to network and build on their IT and business skills.

MICSA joins more than 100 Microsoft Innovation Centres around the world.

MICSA program manager Nehal Jain says Adelaide became home to an Microsoft Innovation Centre because of its entrepreneurial landscape.

“Adelaide was chosen over Sydney and Melbourne because the whole aim is to foster innovation and entrepreneurs,” she says.

“If you think about the size of Adelaide and the community, we have a high level of innovation and entrepreneurialism, so it makes a lot of sense.”

MICSA offers a place for start-ups, entrepreneurs and students a place to attend workshops, programs, training, launch products and build on their business and IT skills.

MICSA offers a place for start-ups, entrepreneurs and students a place to attend workshops, programs, training, launch products and build on their business and IT skills.

Nehal says the centre attracts businesses from a variety of sectors, from health care to viticulture, which want to reach their full potential through smarter technology systems.

“It’s about bringing technology and business together,” she says.

“We are working with wineries to predict what their yields will be, and making the system really smart.”

With SA transforming its economy to foster an environment for innovation, MICSA is well-placed to help businesses become more digitally-capable.

Adelaide start-up myEvidence is a MICSA foundation member and was provided with the ability to leverage Microsoft Azure (cloud computing service) for a reduced cost.

myEvidence gives police a platform to digitally capture and document evidence from crime scenes.

It removes the need to rely on traditional time-consuming investigative processes, such as typing out notes from notebooks.

Watch the video below to see how MICSA helped launch myEvidence.

With Adelaide’s status as an innovative and well-networked ‘smart-city‘ on the rise, Nehal says the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is thriving.

She uses the example of a start-up business which engaged with MICSA 18 months ago with just two employees.

Now the business has nine people on the books.

“I think there’s a lot that is happening in Adelaide,” Nehal says.

“It (business ecosystem) is growing, but there’s still a lot to do.”

For more information on MICSA click here.

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South Australia tastes sweet brewing success

By Melissa Keogh

South Australia was the flavour of this year’s Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards (RABCA) as local breweries snagged several big wins on Friday night (July 28).

Among beer connoisseurs raising their glass this weekend are SA brew icons Pirate Life Brewing.

The Hindmarsh brewer snagged trophies for Champion India Pale Ale, Champion SA Exhibit and Champion Large Brewery.

Announced at the Adelaide Beer and Barbecue Festival at the Adelaide Showground, the annual awards program attracted hot competition from 50 brewers across Australia and New Zealand.

Successful McLaren Vale boutique brewer Vale Brewing came home with three major awards, Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer, Champion Pilsener and Champion Other Lager.

RABCA committee chair Simon Fahey said the awards, run by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA, recognised the importance of Australia’s $7 billion beer and cider industry.

“This year’s awards attracted 224 entries from 50 brewers of all sizes from across Australia and New Zealand, with all entries judged blind by an expert industry panel,” he says.

Much-loved SA cider maker, Hills Cider Company, dominated the cider awards after walking away with Best Cider and Best Perry.

Other SA award winners included Coopers Brewery, Little Bang Brewing Co, Woolshed Brewery and Clare Valley Brewing Co.

The Beer and Barbecue Festival unfolds at the Adelaide Showground on July 29-30.

The Beer and Barbecue Festival unfolds at the Adelaide Showground on July 29-30.

Scores of beer and cider lovers were able to sample the trophy and award-winning beers on Friday night as part of the opening of the beer and barbecue fest.

The pouring and sizzling will continue as the festival stretches out across Saturday and Sunday (July 29-30).

2017 WINNERS

Champion Reduced Alcohol Beer
Vale Brewing (SA) – Vale Mid Coast

Champion Australian Style Lager
Australian Beer Company – Alehouse Premium Lager

Champion Pilsener
Vale Brewing (SA) – Vale Knee Slapper German Pilsner

Champion Other Lager
Vale Brewing – Vale Amber Lager

Champion Traditional Australian Style Pale Ale
Coopers Brewery (SA) – Coopers Sparkling Ale

Champion American Style Pale Ale
Bodriggy Brewing Company (VIC)– Highbinder American Pale Ale

Champion India Pale Ale 
Pirate Life Brewing (SA) – Pirate Life IIPA

Champion Other Ale
Nail Brewing Australia (WA) – Nail Red

Champion Stout Beer
Nail Brewing Australia (WA) – Clout Stout
Clare Valley Brewing Co (SA) – CVBC Extra Stout

Champion Porter Beer
Little Bang Brewing Co (SA) – May Contain Traces of Panther

Champion Hybrid Beer
Woolshed Brewery (SA) – Firehouse Coffee Stout

Best New Exhibit
Bodriggy Brewing Company (VIC)– Highbinder American Pale Ale

Best Cider In Show
The Hills Cider Company (SA) – The Hills Cider Company Apple

Best Perry In Show
The Hills Cider Company (SA) – The Hills Cider Company Pear

Champion Small Brewery
Clare Valley Brewing Co (SA)

Champion Medium Brewery
Nail Brewing Australia (WA)

Champion Large Brewery
Pirate Life Brewing (SA)

Champion South Australian Beer Exhibit
Pirate Life Brewing (SA) – Pirate Life IIPA

Best South Australian Cider Exhibit 
The Hills Cider Company (SA) – The Hills Cider Company Apple

Most Outstanding Beer In Show
Bodriggy Brewing Company (VIC) – Highbinder American Pale Ale

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SA seniors on the rise

By Melissa Keogh

South Australia’s ageing population is set to rise by more than 70% by 2050, according to the Economic Development Board of SA, making way for “significant” economic potential.

The number of South Australians aged 65 and over will grow by 42% by 2030 (394,000) and 74% by 2050, says the board’s chair, Raymond Spencer.

This will allow businesses to capitalise on the ‘ageing well’ market, as Raymond says South Aussies aged 65 and over will increase their spending power by 42% in coming decades.

South Australia will lead the national dialogue on ageing well and become a “global leader” in the sector when it hosts the first ever Ageing Well Revolution Conference later this year.

The Ageing Well Revolution Logo CMYK

The conference, to be held from November 22–23 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, will bring together international experts in social and business innovation and highlight global trends in the ageing market.

The discussions are expected to help local businesses, the corporate sector and social enterprises maximise economic opportunities in the ageing sector in coming decades.

By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 and over is expected to quadruple from 547 million to more than 1.3 billion.

In China it’s estimated that by 2020, total pension payments will be about $595 billion.

Raymond says these statistics demonstrated significant economic potential in the ageing well market.

“Opportunities aren’t linked simply to aged care as we now know it, they exist across multiple sectors including food, preventative health care, medical and assistive devices, housing, transport and technology,” he says.

“We can maximise their opportunities by changing our perspective and opening our minds to a new way of doing business and catering for our changing demographic.”

Raymond says SA is the first state to recognise this new sector of the economy.

“Capitalising on the ageing well market is more than simply developing products and services tailored to the needs of the older population,” he says.

“It’s about engaging with a demographic that’s set to have a significant influence on the prosperity of our businesses well into the future.”

The Ageing Well Revolution Conference will be headlined by world-renowned social and businesses innovation experts including founder and executive director of Neuroscape Dr Adam Gazzaley (USA), International Longevity Centre co-president Dr Alexandre Kalache (Brazil) and The Impossible Institute founder Kieran Flanagan (Australia).

Click here to register.

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Coffee hit for gourmet mushrooms

By Melissa Keogh

Adelaide Hills environmental entrepreneur Daryl Clarke is experiencing a flush of interest from his latest idea – turning wasted coffee grounds into gourmet mushrooms.

The Aldgate IT worker is helping combat wastage from Australia’s caffeine obsession by collecting old coffee grounds from local cafés to make mushroom growing kits.

The coffee grounds are boxed with mushroom spawn into biodegradable Fun Guy Fungi kits, providing the perfect environment and nutrient levels for oyster mushrooms.

Adelaide Hills green thumb Daryl Clarke's mushroom growing kits up-cycle old coffee grounds.

Adelaide Hills green thumb Daryl Clarke’s mushroom growing kits up-cycle old coffee grounds.

Since their launch on World Environment Day in June, hundreds of the kits have sold out across Australia.

Daryl says old coffee grounds are a “throw away commodity” and says that our love for caffeine is having a detrimental impact on the environment.

According to environmental organisation Planet Ark, Aussies are sipping on six billion cups of coffee a day, with 93% of coffee grounds sent to landfill.

“Some cafés have contacted me saying they are really starting to take an interest in organic waste,” Daryl says.

“Others I’ve approached and they think it’s a really cool idea because they’ll be saving on waste costs and are keen to be seen as environmentally conscious.”

The Fun Guy Fungi kits are sold online and from selected cafés, restaurants and fodder stores in South Australia and Victoria.

Growers must keep the boxes regularly watered and place them out of direct sunlight.

After a few weeks the mushrooms will start growing from the biodegradable box.

After a few weeks the mushrooms will start growing from the biodegradable box.

After a few weeks the first mushrooms – which can retail for about $35/kg – will start to appear.

Each box is expected to produce between 500g–1kg of mushrooms over five harvests.

Daryl says he began experimenting with “different ways to use coffee” about three years ago.

He now collects about 100kg of old coffee grounds from local cafés every week, while the cardboard boxes are sourced from Custom Cartons.

“My intention is to expand and start collecting as much coffee as I can and get more products out there,” Daryl says.

“It’s about being smart with what you consume.”

So, do the mushrooms taste like a hint of a morning latté or do they deliver a caffeine hit?

“They don’t contain any coffee whatsoever,” Daryl says.

To learn more about Fun Guy Fungi check out the website and Facebook page.

Mad about mushies? South Australians are heading for the Adelaide Hills to forage for forest fungi. Find out how!

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Family business keeping Booleroo’s motor running

By Melissa Keogh

A family-owned business in a country town in the state’s Mid North is striving to fire up the local economy by expanding its services and supporting jobs.

Flinders Machinery in Booleroo Centre, a small service town about 80km from Port Augusta, started as an agricultural machinery dealership in 2009.

Over the past five years two of the town’s mechanic workshops and two banks have shut their doors, while some other businesses are still “struggling”.

Flinders Machinery owner Barrie McCallum says his business helped pick up the slack by extending the workshop to allow for the servicing of locals’ cars, trucks and school buses.

Flinders Machinery also hires a small number of apprentices.

Despite recent tough times in Booleroo Centre, Flinders Machinery continues to diversify its services.

Despite recent tough times in Booleroo Centre, Flinders Machinery continues to diversify its services.

“The local garage had been in town for as long as I can remember and that shut its doors … we took over the automotives,” Barrie says.

“We now service the school buses and farmers’ utes instead of them having to go to Port Pirie or Crystal Brook.”

Booleroo Centre is 280km from Adelaide in the southern Flinders Ranges and has a population of 500 people.

While other regional areas might lose youth to the cities, Barrie says Booleroo has managed to retain many young people.

“We have been taking on apprentices for a number of years,” he says.

“We have got a lot of young lads with an interest in machinery and they have a good work ethic.”

Booleroo Centre in the Mt Remarkable local government area, and is home to South Australia’s largest tractor and steam engine collection which attracts scores of visitors.

But Mt Remarkable Mayor Colin Nottle says Booleroo Centre still isn’t as recognised as its neighbours, such as popular mountain biking destination, Melrose.

Booleroo Centre is about 80km from Port Augusta.

Booleroo Centre is about 80km from Port Augusta.

“They (people) all know where Melrose is, but they don’t know where Booleroo is,” he says.

“The last couple of years have been unfortunate … we have got another two or three businesses that are struggling.

“So to have Flinders going well, it’s really something to be thankful for.”

Colin says Booleroo Centre’s exposure could soon increase.

The world’s largest lithium ion battery is set to be built 30 minutes away in Jamestown and he says its proximity could bring more interest in Booleroo.

The Mt Remarkable Council is also carrying out a number of streetscape works to lift Booleroo Centre’s profile.

These cheeky sheep statues can be spotted around Booleroo Centre. Vistiors are encouraged to count as many as they can!

These cheeky sheep statues can be spotted around Booleroo Centre. Vistiors are encouraged to count as many as they can!

“We’re upgrading the main street to be more attractive,” Colin says.

“We have identified that we need to promote our region more.

“We need to get the word out because it’s beautiful, especially at this time of year.”

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Bottoms up at beer and BBQ fest

By Melissa Keogh

Thousands of beer and cider appreciators will descend upon the Adelaide Showground this weekend to knock the top off some of the best SA, Australian and international brews.

The crowd-pleasing Adelaide Beer and Barbecue Festival is on from July 28–30, featuring South Australia’s largest assembly of brewers and cider makers.

The three-day festival captures the best of both worlds – beers and barbecues.

The three-day festival captures the best of both worlds – beer and barbecues.

Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend.

Festival organiser Marc Huber says more than 60 beer and cider brands will feature in the main beer hall, while the ‘IPA Soundsystem’ will have 20 rotating taps of beer, some of which have never been on tap in Australia.

While the event is recognised as a barbecued meat fest, vegan chef Shannon Martinez will turn heads by joining the festival’s line-up of Australian and international chefs.

Shannon, of all-vegan restaurant Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy, is not a vegan, but says it gives her an edge.

“Many people believe veganism is a trend, that all vegan food tastes the same, boring way and, above all, that it is uncreative, not filling and lacks flavour,” she says.

“I like to turn that on its head.”

Beer and Barbecue Festival will offer a plethora of brews and smoky fare.

The Beer and Barbecue Festival will offer a plethora of brews and smoky fare.

The Beer and Barbecue Festival is split into four sessions across the weekend and is bound to have the beers pouring and barbecues sizzling!

Friday On My Mind, $35, July 28 5pm–midnight
The festival kicks off on Friday night with the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Awards.
Brewers and producers across the country are vying for top prize and most winners will have their brews on hand to slurp! The main stage will also be pumping with live acts.

Saturday Beer Geek, $35, July 29 11am–5pm
Passionate beer drinkers can relish in masterclasses, a Q&A with brewers and chefs, and the Brewers Feud (similar to Channel 10’s Family Feud).

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Saturday Rock ‘n’ Roll, $40, July 30 6pm-midnight
Keep the beers flowing while taking in a ripper main stage line-up including Regurgitator, Mane, Siamese and the Music SA and Beer Band Competition winner.

Sunday Session, $25, 11am–6pm.
This Sunday won’t be for resting, with a jam-packed line-up of beer and barbecue frivolities including the Up In Smoke barbecue competition, a hot dog eating contest and a ‘dad bod’ wet t-shirt competition.

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Warm up at Winter Reds Weekend

By Melissa Keogh

Swirling a fine drop in front of a crackling wood fire and overlooking fog shrouded vines is perhaps the ultimate way to overcome the winter blues.

Adelaide Hills wineries will help warm hearts and fill bellies this weekend when the region crawls with food and wine lovers for the Winter Reds Weekend.

The popular festival, which attracts thousands, will unfold over three days (July 28-30) promising sumptuous food offerings paired with the Adelaide Hills’ best drops.

The best of food and wine will be on offer.

The best of food and wine will be on offer.

Adelaide Hills Wine Region executive officer Nicole Roberts says this year’s program invited people to pull on their wellies, layer up their woolies and escape to the Hills.

“The Adelaide Hills is known throughout the world for its first-class cool climate red wines,” she says.

“When you couple these fine wines with first-class dishes, made by some of SA’s leading chefs, you have the epitome of a food and wine experience.”

With 50 ticketed and non-ticketed events on offer, choosing just a handful of wineries and cellar doors to visit will prove tricky.

Here are three top picks for the wintry weekend ahead, bound to warm icy hands and stain lips red! Check out the full program here.

Golding Wines, Lobethal.

Golding Wines, Lobethal.

Golding Wines
Wine lovers will gather around an outdoor fire pit to enjoy hearty fare and fine wines. A DJ will keep bums off seats while kids will also be kept entertained.
Where: 52 Western Branch Road, Lobethal.
When: Friday 12–7pm, Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 10am–5pm.

Bird In Hand, Woodside.

Bird In Hand, Woodside.

Bird In Hand
Chef Carlos Astudillo will bring the latino heat to this Woodside winery with a South American-inspired barbecue. Escape from the chill and enjoy acoustic beats in the cosy Barrell Hall.
Where: 150 Pfeiffer Road, Woodside.
When: Friday 4–7pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am–5pm.

For those wanting to go all out with their indulgences is Bird In Hand’s five-course degustation.
For $165, diners can devour Chef Carlos Astudillo’s creations paired with top wines.
When: Saturday 12–5pm.

Udder Delights cheese will be paired with Henschke wine.

Udder Delights cheese will be paired with Henschke wine.

Henschke at Udder Delights
What’s better than cheese? Not much, except for maybe cheese fondue. Locally smoked bratwurst, cornichons, pickled onions, fruit and warm ciabatta will be dipped in cheesy lava. Also served with a glass of pinor noir. $39pp.
A cheese and wine masterclass will also unfold on Sunday at 11am and 2pm, $95pp.
Where: 91a Main Street, Hahndorf
When: Saturday and Sunday, 9am–5pm.

Other bits to know:
General entry to Winter Reds is free, and drinkers can purchase an official souvenir wine glass for $10.

Designated drivers can collect a wristband at participating venues to receive a complementary non-alcoholic drink.

A shuttle bus service will be doing the rounds in Woodside and Hahndorf on Saturday and Sunday.

For $25pp, passengers can hop on and off the bus as many times as they like.

For more information on the bus routes click here.

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Adelaide University launches new home for innovative start-ups

By Melissa Keogh

A new innovation hub aimed at giving local start-ups a boost has been launched by the University of Adelaide.

ThincLab Adelaide will provide a supportive business environment and drive entrepreneurship opportunities for students, staff and community members.

This month 50 new ventures are expected to move into the ThincLab headquarters which the university says will help foster innovation for the State.

ThincLab is located next to the University of Adelaide’s Business School and its Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC).

Tenants will be from a range of industries, including health, agriculture, aerospace and automotive engineering, environment, energy, digital gaming, science communications, and food and drink.

Premier Jay Weatherill officially launches ThincLab at the University of Adelaide. Photo courtesy ThincLab, University of Adelaide.

Premier Jay Weatherill officially launches ThincLab at the University of Adelaide. Photo courtesy ThincLab, University of Adelaide.

ThincLab, officially opened by South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill earlier this month, will offer start-ups a space to access tools and resources while also allowing them to network with academics and business mentors.

It will house a state-of-the-art prototyping lab and design studio with the latest 3D printers and technology.

University of Adelaide’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Mike Brooks says ThincLab Adelaide is an exciting initiative not only for the university but the State in general.

“ThincLab represents a boosted commitment to commercialisation and entrepreneurship in SA,” he says.

“It reinforces our leadership nationwide of entrepreneurship, and in education and outreach programs aimed at fostering innovation, a leadership position the University of Adelaide has held for many years.”

Professor Mike Brooks

The University of Adelaide’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Mike Brooks at the ThincLab launch. Photo courtesy of ThincLab, University of Adelaide.

The value of forward thinkers has been a hot topic in Adelaide recently, with Entrepreneurs Week attracting big-name entrepreneurs, including Texan Suzi Sosa, to the city from July 3–7.

The nearby ECIC runs Australia’s biggest investor-ready program, the Australian eChallenge, which stimulates innovation and business ideas among local entrepreneurs.

Over the past six months, last year’s Australian eChallenge finalists secured more than $5m in funding for their start-up ventures.

Professor Noel Lindsay, pro vice-chancellor entrepreneurship at the University of Adelaide and ECIC director, says ThincLab builds on the years of success achieved with the Australian eChallenge.

“We see ThincLab as a place where unconventional thinkers can give their ideas an unfair advantage,” he says.

“It’s home to creative thinkers, to disrupters, people who are willing to challenge the norm and give new ideas a go.”

“Entrepreneurship is about creating new jobs in industries that might not yet exist.”

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Adelaide Fringe doubles economic impact on SA

By Melissa Keogh

Adelaide Fringe organisers say the festival has recorded a “staggering” increase in value to the South Australian economy in the past six years, with this year’s event bringing in $24m of new money to the State.

The festival’s annual review, released today, shows the number of tickets sold, attendances, and total economic expenditure and visitor spend related to the Fringe has almost doubled since 2011.

The 2017 Adelaide Fringe attracted 2.52 million people, while total expenditure related to the event hit $81.4m.

The festival drew more than 18,655 interstate and overseas visitors, up 38%, who stayed more than 80,800 nights in South Australia.

The Adelaide Fringe delivers the big, bold and beautiful. PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

The Adelaide Fringe delivers the big, bold and beautiful. PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

The Adelaide Fringe is the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere, attracting more than 5000 national and international acts to feature in pop-up venues, parks, laneways, theatres, bars, and pubs.

The event transforms the city into a hive of eclectic comedy, circus, cabaret, film, dance and magical works for one month from mid-February until mid-March.

More than 658,300 tickets were sold in 2017, taking box office revenue to $16.2m – most of which goes directly to artists – up 80% in five years.

Adelaide Fringe director and executive officer Heather Croall said the festival was proud to be the world’s second largest fringe festival after Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

“The Adelaide Fringe is by far the highest ticket selling multi-art form festival in Australia, and to have another year of record ticket sales just goes to show that our Fringe artists and events continue to offer the quality, diversity and eccentricity it takes to keep the public’s love of our festival well and truly alive,” she says.

The Adelaide Fringe attracted 2.52 million people in 2017. PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

The Adelaide Fringe attracted 2.52 million people in 2017.
PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

Today – July 11 – is also the inaugural World Fringe Day, celebrating 70 years of the fringe festival model, which started in Edinburgh.

Arts Minister Jack Snelling congratulated Adelaide Fringe on its ongoing success.

“The Fringe plays an important role in fostering new and emerging artists, as well as providing a platform for those who are established,” he says.

Adelaide Fringe’s economic figures are determined by an independent company, Economic Research Consultants, based on ticket sales information and a survey of Fringe-goers, artists and producers.

Adelaide Fringe organisers will launch the 2018 program in December, ready to set the streets alight with colour and magic from February 18 to March 18.