by brandsa2018

So you think you can be a serious muso?

Almost two years ago Adelaide electro artist Luke Million uploaded a Facebook video of him covering the ’80s synth inspired theme song to popular Netflix series Stranger Things.

The one-minute clip has since been viewed a whopping 4.5 million times and received 1.7 million plays on Spotify.

Head over to Adelaide’s rap circles and it’s been Tkay Maidza doing South Australia proud since she released track Brontosaurus in 2013 and worked her way up to two ARIA Award nominations last year.

More recently it’s been folk artist Tom West rocketing up the Spotify charts, attracting more than 115,000 monthly listeners.

Although their music may differ in sound and style, the kickstart in their careers is similar.

Million, Maidza and West join more than 30 past recipients of the Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program, an initiative which is helping to boost the success of some of SA’s top bands, musicians and industry professionals.

Luke Million took the internet by storm when he uploaded a Facebook video featuring him covering the Stranger Things theme song.

The program is now in its fifth year and is on the hunt for the next lot of talent.

Fellowship recipients receive funding and opportunities to connect with global music networks.

They also receive hands-on mentoring from Adelaide-based industry professionals Stu MacQueen and Dan Crannitch of Wonderlick Entertainment.

Wonderlick manages the promotion of top Aussie artists including Grinspoon, Josh Pyke, Montaigne and Amy Shark.

Dan, who plays in Adelaide brother band The San Sebastian, says the fellowship helps establish more “connective tissue” between SA and the wider national and international music industry.

“We both feel very proud of the service this program has provided to the local music community, with a raft of Stigwood alumni kicking huge goals both here and internationally, all well on their way to long and fruitful careers in the music industry,” he says.

Tom West is renowned for his whimsical folk tunes and moody soundscapes.

Tom West, who has gigs scheduled for Port MacDonnell, Adelaide CBD, and Willunga this May and June, says the Stigwood program was a much-needed boost for his business as a singer-songwriter.

“The program facilitated the completion of a new record in a much bigger and better way that I could have initially hoped for,” he says.

“It also enabled me to invest in exploring opportunities in overseas markets, which is a necessary step in working towards building a sustainable career in the industry.”

The Stigwood Fellowship is an initiative of the SA Government’s Music Development Office and is named after the late Robert Stigwood, a renowned music impresario and entrepreneur.

Born in Port Pirie in 1934, Robert went on to become one of the most powerful and successful entertainment tycoons in the 1960s and ‘70s.

He managed musicians including Eric Clapton, Cream and The Bee Gees, produced hit West End and Broadway musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, and blockbuster films Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

The fellowship offers two streams, one for musicians and bands, and the other for emerging entrepreneurs working in music management.

Past entrepreneurial recipients include Five Four Entertainment, who managed Tkay Maidza, and Sharni Honor, who is behind travelling music series Porch Sessions.

Applications close June 1. Head here for details and to apply.

Check out Luke Million’s Stranger Things theme song cover below.

by brandsa2018

Premier Steven Marshall on his vision for the old RAH’s future

The redevelopment of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital (oRAH) is an “incredible opportunity” for South Australia to create new themes in innovation, entrepreneurship and high-value job creation, says Premier Steven Marshall.

Brand SA News recently sat down with Mr Marshall, South Australia’s 46th Premier, to discuss his vision for the redevelopment and to ask – what infrastructure opportunities does the 7ha site present?

The State Government’s ambition for the oRAH will see it transformed into an innovation and start-up precinct, an international centre for tourism, hospitality and food services, and a national Aboriginal art and culture gallery.

“I think this site itself is so special it will attract global companies that want to have an Australian presence,” Mr Marshall says.

“I’m very optimistic about the potential for this site.”

Photo: Steven Marshall MP Twitter.

One of the global companies the State Government has its eye on is Google.

The government recently approached the US tech giant in a bid to bring Google’s Australian headquarters to Adelaide.

Some of the state’s top business leaders have also voiced their desires for the global household brand to set up in the city.

Mr Marshall says some aspects of the tech giant’s operations would be ideal for South Australia and the oRAH site.

“There are some aspects of the Google operation which I think will be ideally suited to South Australia and we’re having in-depth discussions with the Google organisation now,” he says.

“I don’t think they’re going to uproot themselves from New South Wales and transfer all employees here, but I think there are very real opportunities … to bring areas of specialisation here to South Australia and they would be ideally suited to the old Royal Adelaide Hospital innovation precinct.”

The new chapter of the oRAH site began on September 6, 2017, when an ambulance blared its siren as it transferred the last patient to the new, world-class facility.

It marked the end of an era for the North Terrace/Frome Road site and the beginning of a once-in-a-century opportunity to create another standout piece of infrastructure for Adelaide’s CBD.

Now plans are afoot to breathe new life into the location, with demolition already taking place and continuing into 2019.

By the nature of its size and central location, the oRAH site presents a ‘build it and they will come’ opportunity that Mr Marshall says is unlikely to present again.

“We are very lucky because when you survey Adelaide there is a lot of opportunity to go up,” he says.

“Seven hectares in the middle of one of the world’s most liveable cities is an incredible opportunity and we have to make sure we do this, but also do it in a timely way so the site doesn’t sit vacant for longer than it needs to.”

A number of Renewal SA-led activations have already occurred at the oRAH since it closed in 2017. These have included music festivals, interactive light installations and Fringe shows.

Under the State Government’s oRAH vision, the creation of the innovation and start-up hub will be overseen by a chief entrepreneur who is “independent of the government” and will lead the facility’s establishment and operation.

The hub would allow new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and explore new technologies across fast-growing industries of defence and space, cyber security, food and wine, medical technology, robotics, and media and film.

Other plans for the oRAH include a $60m international centre for tourism, hospitality and food studies, which would include the relocation of the International College of Hotel Management and the Le Cordon Bleu school from Regency Park TAFE.

Mr Marshall says he wants South Australia to host more international students as they contribute greatly to the economy.

“We think that this old Royal Adelaide Hospital site is precisely the type of location to encourage more and more international students to come and study here in Adelaide and maybe even start businesses in South Australia,” he says.

According to the oRAH vision, Adelaide also has the potential to become the gateway to Aboriginal Australia, by way of a national Aboriginal art and culture gallery.

Mr Marshall says the South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of SA and Tandanya (National Aboriginal Cultural Institute) would work together to create something of national and international significance.

Other elements of the proposed oRAH redevelopment include a contemporary art gallery, hotel accommodation, and integration with the botanic gardens.

It is understood the redevelopment will take decades to come to fruition, and that decisions on development partners are yet to be made.

A pop-up event unfolds at the oRAH. The building is partially covered in a printed shade cloth designed by local artist Vans the Omega.

In the meantime, Renewal SA – which is managing the oRAH redevelopment – has activated the site with a number of temporary installations including music festivals, interactive light installations and fringe shows.

Mr Marshall says the oRAH won’t be the only key piece of infrastructure to unfold in Adelaide’s CBD

He says the Adelaide Casino revamp, the Adelaide Festival Plaza works, and Charter Hall’s $250m office tower development for BHP are other major projects helping to transform the city.

Mr Marshall says the Women’s and Children’s Hospital also presents another future development opportunity, as the State Government intends to co-locate the facility to the new RAH site by 2024.

“The detailed planning is being done on that at the moment … but therefore there will be an opportunity for another redevelopment of similar magnitude (as the oRAH) maybe not in quite the same iconic location, but a similar magnitude,” he adds.

Visit I Choose SA for Industry to learn more stories about key industry leaders, why they’ve chosen SA as a base and how the state is enabling them to succeed.

by brandsa2018

Fleurieu faces and food revealed in coffee table cookbook

A coffee table cookbook featuring the “faces and food” of the Fleurieu Peninsula is hoping to give greater recognition to the region’s farmers, fishers, producers and chefs.

Willunga foodie Rojina McDonald is publishing The Fleurieu Peninsula: Celebrating the Faces and Food featuring 80 businesses across 25 townships from Yankalilla, Port Noarlunga and Victor Harbor.

The book is set to be released in spring, with a crowdfunding campaign on track to support the inaugural print run of 2000 copies.

Regional businesses include d’Arry’s Verandah, The Salopian Inn, Wild Coorong Seafood, Goolwa Pipi Co, Coriole Restaurant, Small Word Bakery, Fleurieu Milk Company and Pizzateca.

Ellis Butchers in McLaren Vale are featured in The Fleurieu Peninsula: Celebrating the Faces and Food. Photo by Josie Withers.

The farmers, fishers, producers and chefs are featured alongside photos taken by Josie Withers and accompanied with signature recipes such as the slow cooked beef ribs with coleslaw and hot potato (Wakefield Grange) and the lemon almond ricotta cake (Willunga Farmer’s Market).

Local writer Heather Millar has written the stories behind the faces.

Rojina says her idea for a hardcover book was born in 2013 when she undertook a patisserie scholarship at Le Cordon Bleu in London.

“In my travels overseas and locally I realised very little is known about the history and the people in the food and wine business,” she says.

Rojina on a video shoot for the cookbook campaign. Photo by Josie Withers.

“I believe the food and wine industry of the Fleurieu – its people and products – is not recognised to the extent that other regions are, for example the Barossa Valley.

“With the publication of my book, I hope to widely showcase the unique charm, quality and culture of the Fleurieu region.”

A Pozible crowdfunding campaign has been established in hope of raising $15,000 to cover the cost of the printing and distribution.

Pleges of $65 and over will receive a copy of the book, which is to be printed in South Australia.

Rojina says she wants to target foodies and wine lovers locally, nationally and internationally and have the book sold in the featured businesses, at local tourist hubs, cafés, restaurants, markets and airports.

Growing up on her family’s McLaren Vale olive grove, she was always surrounded by the premium produce and pristine landscapes of the Fleurieu.

Rojina grew up in McLaren Vale, becoming immersed in the food culture from a young age. Photo by Josie Withers.

Working in a continental deli in McLaren Vale at the age of 13, Rojina says she became familiar with “local products and faces”.

Years later she ran a popular cupcake business, going on to be named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the McLaren Vale Business Association and winning the international scholarship in London.

Under her newly established business, Soul Publishing, Rojina hopes to expand the ‘faces and food’ concept to showcase other regions of the state.

A second book, which focused on wine, beer and spirits of the Fleurieu, is already in the pipeline.

Culinary queen Maggie Beer, MasterChef foodie Jessie Spiby and actor Erik Thomson, who lives on the Fleurieu, have each shown their support for the ‘faces and food’ book.

Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our state by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.

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by brandsa2018

That’s not a knife, that’s a Barossa knife!

Want to know how passionate the Barossa’s Barry (Baz) Gardner is about knifemaking? Just look at his hands.

They’re rough, blackened and scarred after 25 years of cutting, grinding, heating and sharpening steel into bespoke kitchen knives that end up in the hands of people around the world.

“They call me asbestos hands because I can hold something really hot that others can’t,” Baz says.

“I’ve had quite a few stitches in my hands, it’s a dangerous process.

“The fact is that knives are sharp, so you have to be careful … the grinders, they’re going a hundred miles an hour and you can slip on them, which I have.

“You can get some serious scars, that’s for sure.”

These hands have seen sharp edges, grinders, extreme heat and hard work. Photo by Ed Halmagyi.

The New Zealander turned South Australian craftsman runs his own knifemaking business, Gardner Knives from the JamFactory studio at Seppeltsfield.

Before falling in love with knifemaking, Baz pottered between a number of jobs including road construction, blacksmithing and house painting.

But it wasn’t until he went to a gun show in Adelaide when the world of knifemaking had him hooked.

“There was a guy selling guns there, but he also had knives on the table, and I said to him ‘where did you get those knives?’ and he said to me that he made them,” Baz says.

“I said bull****, who makes knives? From that day on I started making knives.

“I went home and found a bit of steel. I had no idea what I was doing, there was no internet around, so I just hammered it all out.

“It was pretty ugly but I’ve still got it.”

Baz Gardner has been making knives for the past 25 years. Photo by Ed Halmagyi.

Nearly three decades later and Baz has honed his craft, specialising in hand-forged Damascus steel knives that are bought by both Australian and international customers.

People of “all walks of life” have stepped inside his workshop, including Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a royal visit to the Barossa in 2016.

Baz also hosts knifemaking workshops and people have flown from as far as the UK to attend them.

“We had a guy who was an end of life doctor fly out from England after reading about us in an in-flight magazine between Singapore and London,” he says.

“He flew over here for four days just to take him out of his head space.”

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“We get mothers and daughters and fathers and sons coming together to have that bonding moment or to create something for friends and family.

“We also get police officers, priests, high court judges, brain surgeons, plumbers – all walks of life.

“They just want to do something practical and physical with their hands that takes them out of their everyday work space.”

A basic, drop point hunter knife, often used for camping or outdoor trips, can take Baz only four or five hours to make.

The knifemaking process in action in the Gardner Knives workshop. Photo by Ed Halmagyi.

However, his Damascus steel knives “are a bit more involved” and can take more than a day’s work.

Damascus steel is made by bonding multiple layers of iron and steel together, creating flowing patterns on the blade.

“It’s been around since about the year 700. Damascus steel disappeared and then there’s been a resurgence in the last 30–40 years to the point that it’s basically all our business now,” Baz says.

“Anything that’s been hardened once, can be softened and hardened again. I’ve just made a knife out of a 1985 Damascus shotgun barrel.

“A lot of people in the Barossa have old vintage cars, so I’ll make knives for them out of their coil springs … one guy came in last year and brought in his grandfather’s two-man cross cut saw, which would’ve been 90–100 years old.

“Out of that I made five kitchen knives for his five grandchildren.

“You can use all sorts of things … there is that much steel out there that we throw away but we can create works of art out of it.”

Photo by Ed Halmagyi.

Baz and his partner Amanda began selling the knives at the Stirling Markets in the Adelaide Hills and Artisans Market at Greenock.

Baz built up a loyal following and before long was approached by the JamFactory to be the first anchor tenant at the Seppeltsfield site.

Gardner Knives has been a full-time pursuit for the past six years and Baz is currently on the hunt for an apprentice knifemaker.

“The community have always been behind me from day one and the management of JamFactory could not do more for me in ways of encouragement,” he says.

“I love what I do.”

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Simple and sophisticated a winner at Port Elliot

Campbell Haig’s philosophy is simple – look after the community, and the community will look after you.

It’s an attitude that has served him well and meant the success of his businesses in the charming and character laden Fleurieu Peninsula town of Port Elliot.

Just a few days before Christmas 2017, Campbell opened a new restaurant in the main street – Thunderbird Restaurant and Bar.

Although only four months old, the restaurant has already made a name for itself.

Across social media platforms, people are raving about the food and highlighting the beauty of the simple yet sophisticated building which houses the wine and tapas bar.

Despite only opening months ago Campbell Haig’s Thunderbird restaurant is a hotspot in Port Elliot.

“It is a different meal option for people in the area,” Campbell says.

“One that wasn’t being offered, and it is great to see that both locals and visitors alike have embraced what we are doing.”

The restaurant has a focus on seafood and tapas. The menu is fresh and regional, with a wine list to match, focussing on local and international wines.

“We never set out to be in direct competition with anyone else,” Campbell says.

“I like to say there is always enough for everyone.”

If visitor numbers to the town over the holiday period were anything to go by, then there certainly is enough. Campbell has lived in Port Elliot for 10 years and says that the days between Christmas and New Year 2017 were the busiest he has ever seen.

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“The main street was like Rundle Mall,” he says.

“The popularity of Port Elliot has definitely grown, and you can see that it has been in part to the infrastructure that has gone up around the place.

“The Southern Expressway makes it easier for people to get here, and the range of experiences and things for people to do once they arrive is helping to bring in the crowds.”

As well as the new restaurant, Campbell is also the owner of Waverley Estate, Thunderbird Wines and Vineyards and No. 58 Cellar Door and Gallery.

The businesses have each spurred the next, with the acre of vines located on the Waverley Estate property sparking an interest in the purchase of a farm with 15 acres of vineyard.

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The next logical step was wine production and the opening of the cellar door and gallery. And then, of course, the restaurant.

On the boards for the Fleurieu Food Group and the Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Board, Campbell is a strong advocate for the region, and for locals supporting locals.

“There is absolutely an economic benefit to employing local people directly and indirectly,” he says. “It keeps the money in the area and it helps to keep us all profitable.”

“The character and ambience of Port Elliot is unique.

“The town has a charm which is very different to other towns in South Australia. We have the beautiful historical buildings, as well as the beach and the train running through the middle of it. I love it.”

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Heading up health in southern Adelaide

After a decade of driving change across public and private hospitals in Victoria, South Australian healthcare professional Sue O’Neill is back.

Sue is the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network’s (SALHN) new CEO, overseeing the Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and other public healthcare services in the southern suburbs.

Her return home comes at a time of great change in South Australia’s healthcare system, following the opening of the world-class Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) in 2017.

But south of the new RAH are lesser-known healthcare developments, particularly in the areas of palliative care and rehabilitation.

Last year Flinders Medical Centre unveiled a new 55-bed rehabilitation centre and a 15-bed palliative care unit, replacing facilities at the now closed Daw Park Repatriation Hospital.

Sue, second from left, with team members at the Flinders Medical Centre.

“There are great hospitals and health services in the south and I think we’ve been quiet achievers,” Sue says.

“That’s one of my goals as CEO, to help people be less humble about the great things that we do and know that we are an important engine for healthcare here in SA.”

The cluster of facilities within SALHN employs about 7500 staff who care for 800 in-patients daily.

Doctors and nurses treat 250,000 outpatients every year with more than 400 people presenting to the emergency departments at the Flinders and Noarlunga hospitals daily.

Sue says she expects that the patient cohort will continue to consist largely of elderly patients with lifestyle diseases as the state’s ageing population continues to climb.

“We’re expecting to see an almost 70% increase in the number of people aged over 70 in our demographic area, so things like cancer and cardiac conditions will become more prominent,” she says.

Sue returned to SA late last year after spending 10 years in public and private hospitals in Victoria.

Born in Naracoorte, she spent her childhood knowing that one day she would become a nurse, and so upon leaving school she set about achieving just that and worked at the RAH as a nurse for two decades.

She later went on to become the Director of Nursing at the Lyell McEwin Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre until 2009, when the eastern states started calling.

Taking the opportunity to “move outside my comfort zone”, Sue entered Victoria’s private healthcare system, working at an 800-bed Catholic hospital, Cabrini Health.

In 2012 she began her pursuit towards achieving a Master of Business Administration (Executive) at RMIT University, allowing her to raise her hand for executive healthcare roles.

It would lead to becoming CEO at an Albury Wodonga Health and later the same position at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.

“I’ve always been a strong SA advocate when I’ve been in the eastern states, and I always barrack for the Crows wherever I am,” Sue says.

“The important thing is that we have people who have voices who can tell the SA story.

“I always felt able to do that and I kept my connections here as well to gain another perspective.

“I’ve learnt a lot but it’s helped to open my eyes and I think I’ll be a better CEO because of it.”

Sue says her goal for the next five years is to work towards ways of reducing the demand on the healthcare system and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

She’s also passionate about improving the appeal of jobs within health.

“One of the key things for me is how do we create an environment that attracts the best and brightest,” she says.

“My goal is to create an environment where we have a waiting list of people who want to work in the SALHN because they feel respected, they can do the work they want to do, they create good clinical outcomes and there’s good opportunities for development, teaching, training and research.

“Co-located with a large university (Flinders) like we are – we have some fantastic opportunities.”

Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our state by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.

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Regional business behind whopper of a crane headed for Upper Spencer Gulf

Port Augusta-based business Max Cranes is preparing to welcome the largest telescopic crane in the southern hemisphere to its fleet later this year.

The $10m telescopic mobile crane has a capacity of 1200 tonnes and will allow the Upper Spencer Gulf business to expand its capabilities in construction and maintenance of wind towers across the country.

It’ll also be used for construction and heavy lifting activities throughout markets that require specialist heavy lifting.

Managing director Mark Kuhn co-founded Max Cranes in 2002 and says the business has been looking to secure the German-made Liebherr all terrain crane for a number of years.

He says the specialised piece of equipment is the strongest of its kind on the market and has the longest telescopic boom in the world at 100m.

The 1200 tonne crane is the largest in the southern hemisphere.

“The business has spent a lot of time on the selection of the best type of crane to bring into the country that will be a problem solver to all market sectors,” Mark says.

“It has a number of benefits that will set the business apart from the rest. The crane, albeit huge, is efficient and economical in its ability to mobilise/demobilise to project sites and is very agile and flexible on site.”

The new crane, planned to be in operation in November 2018, will be the latest achievement for the leading Upper Spencer Gulf business that has been helping workers reach the heights of our tallest regional infrastructure projects.

The Federal Government supported the acquisition through its Regional Jobs and Investment Package.

“There has been an upward growth curve in our workforce over the past 12–18 months as the infrastructure, power and energy, mining, oil and gas and other influencing markets have started to recover from the downturn of 2014/15,” Mark says.

“We’re looking to further bolster our position in the Upper Spencer Gulf region with the ever-expanding renewable markets, the commitment of GFG Alliance to the Whyalla Steelworks and the expansion of surrounding mining and infrastructure projects within the region.

“Max Cranes is also focused on strengthening our position within the Adelaide market, specifically looking to find solutions to clients in all market sectors.”

Max Cranes employs more than 110 people across its head office at Port Augusta and additional depots at Whyalla, Port Pirie, Moomba and Adelaide.

Its fleet of 38 all terrain cranes range from 15–500 tonne machines. The business also supplies scissor lifts, knuckle booms, and heavy haulage transport services.

All terrain cranes are able to navigate harsh or uneven roads and have greater onsite mobility in workspaces.

Max Cranes is currently the sole crane provider at the Port Pirie Nyrstar Lead Smelter which has employed hundreds of people over the years and is undergoing redevelopment.

Other Max Cranes clients include Santos, Liberty OneSteel, BHP Billiton, Enerven/SA Power Networks, and constructors to AGL, however, its presence on wind farms is set to grow further with South Australia’s burgeoning renewable energy sector.

Max Cranes’ 400 tonne and 500 tonne cranes are used in the maintenance of wind towers, to lift off the rotor – the three blades and hub – and allowing a changeover of gearboxes and other equipment on the turbine.

A Max Crane lifts the rotor off a wind tower.

Mark says the acquisition of the new 1200 tonne crane will allow for future maintenance of the heavier and taller towers built today.

He established Max Cranes with a business partner in 2002 after noticing a gap in the marketplace for crane, transport and access equipment hire in regional SA.

The business began with a fleet of small cranes run out of a small transportable office off the Augusta Highway.

Now the head office is a state-of-the-art building in the same location, with a large maintenance workshop, wash-down bays, a storage shed and staff facilities.

Mark says the challenges of regional SA include the harsh climate, which can reach temperatures of up to 50C in some places.

“But it can change at a moment’s notice to torrential rain, severe winds and everything in between,” he says.

“Being highly reactive to requirements 24/7 is a large part of why we are recognised as experts for working in these remote locations.

“We are operationally prepared, highly experienced and have the systems in place to ensure our staff and client team are safe at all times.”

Max Cranes also runs a dedicated trainee scheme, supporting young apprentices who often go on to be long-term employees and take on roles such as riggers and crane operators.

Mark says the Upper Spencer Gulf has always been an encouraging place to run a business.

“The regions offer experienced, loyal and dedicated people,” he says.

“This in turn has given us the ability to form solid and lengthy relationships with key customers over time.

“South Australians support South Australian – Max Crane is no different.”

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Leading property developer Jamie McClurg on shaping Adelaide’s skyline

It’s a Monday afternoon and 46-year-old property developer Jamie McClurg is sitting in Commercial & General’s seventh floor boardroom, towering over some of Adelaide’s most prominent landmarks.

Admiring bird’s eye views of Adelaide Oval, Parliament House and Government House, the I Choose SA ambassador says people around the world look at our city with nothing but envy.

“South Australia is a place that will come of age in the next decade,” Jamie says.

“South Australians are smart people. They demand smart options that will enhance our community and job opportunities for our children and, as one of the best places to live in the world, our opportunities are endless.”

As executive chairman of one of Australia’s leading property developers, Commercial & General, Jamie has a solid grasp on the infrastructure that has helped shape our city.

Jamie McClurg is an I Choose SA ambassador for infrastructure.

His Adelaide-based property development and investment agency has developed and owned some of Adelaide’s big infrastructure projects from the SA Police headquarters to the sky high office tower at 50 Flinders Street.

The value of the projects Commercial & General has completed, as well as those currently underway, is $2.1 billion.

The company works across healthcare, industrial, office, residential and social infrastructure projects, and chances are if you’re an Adelaidean, you’ll recognise almost all of them.

Commercial & General is gearing up to build the last standout piece in North Terrace’s biomedical precinct.

Complementing the architecturally renowned South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) the second instalment, SAHMRI 2, will be home to the first proton therapy unit in the southern hemisphere.

Housed in a three-storey bunker in SAHMRI 2, the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research will allow doctors to directly treat cancerous tumours with minimal damage to healthy tissue.

The treatment will make a world of difference to people – particularly children – with tumours close to vital organs.

In 2017 Jamie travelled to Boston in the US, to see the effects of proton therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

“It will change lives,” he says.

“While SAHMRI 2 is a piece of infrastructure, at the end of the day it’s an opportunity to cure cancer for kids … that’s something to be more excited about.”

An artist’s impression of SAHMRI 2.

Designed in collaboration with Adelaide-based architect Woods Bagot and other local and international agencies, Jamie says the $320m SAHMRI 2 building will complement, rather than compete, with the first.

“SAHMRI is iconic; we don’t want to repeat it because that won’t do it justice,” he says.

“It’s very important that we do it well to finish off the precinct because it’s the last missing tooth.”

Construction on SAHMRI 2 is expected to commence in 2019.

Another of Commercial & General’s current projects is the $300m Calvary Adelaide Hospital on the corner of Angas and Pulteney streets.

It is the largest single construction contract by the private sector to unfold in Adelaide’s CBD in the last 20 years.

However, Commercial & General’s impact on the city of Adelaide goes further than the large buildings that scrape its skies.

More than 3000 jobs have been, or will be, created in projects that are currently under construction.

“I try not to think about it like that because that’s a lot of families,” Jamie says.

“I started off this business just wanting to move some dirt, have some fun and earn a living like anyone else.”

Jamie’s rise to the top of SA’s property development scene started from humble beginnings.

Commercial & General executive chairman Jamie McClurg on site at the Calvary Adelaide Hospital.

Raised by Irish immigrant parents, he grew up in the northern suburbs, going on to obtain a construction degree at the University of South Australia.

With his father in the real estate industry, Jamie says a career in property was inevitable.

Working on construction projects across the country, he set the foundation for his own business in 1997 while still working for another company.

Alongside business partner and university classmate, Anthony Catinari, the pair created Commercial & General “from nothing”.

Now Commercial & General employs a team of 51 at its Adelaide office, with plans to expand its SA workforce by a dozen this year. It also has offices in Melbourne and Sydney.

The company recently partnered with ASX-listed property giant Dexus, creating the Healthcare Wholesale Property Fund. With seed assets of approximately $340m, it has an anticipated potential pipeline of about $445m.

Jamie says SA’s population and its “humble talent pool” make it the perfect place for investors to do business.

“In a state that is the size of ours, the opportunities are endless,” he says.

“South Australians have always been known as being unique people and world-beaters.

“If you learn to do it here you can apply it to anywhere around the planet.”

Visit I Choose SA for Industry to learn more stories about key industry leaders, why they’ve chosen SA as a base and how the state is enabling them to succeed.

by brandsa2018

Your Shop South Australia guide to Mother’s Day

Mums are amazing. But you already knew that.

What you might be a little less sure about is what you’ll be buying your mum this Mother’s Day, which is just around the corner.

As the breakfast in bed and handmade cards day approaches on May 13, we’ve searched through the Shop South Australia marketplace to find the perfect gift for all types of mums.

Shop South Australia is a one-stop shop featuring only South Australian artists, designers and makers.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Shop South Australia is running an Instagram competition giving you the chance to spoil mum with a gift valued at over $400! Head to the Shop South Australia Instagram page for details. Competition closes May 8.

So whether your mum is into fashion, likes a nice glass of red or is candle-obsessed – we’ve got Mother’s Day 2018 covered.

What to get for the mum who loves …

1. Fashion

Naomi Murrell – this Adelaide fashion and accessories designer is behind a range of delicate yet quirky pieces.

Featuring dangling star rings and colourful frill earrings, the jewellery collection complements the fashion range of cherry reds, classic tees and polka dots.

Shine bright my pretties. #starlight #finejewels #brassjewelry

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Julie White – If you want your mum to make a statement, then Adelaide fashion and print designer Julie White is your gal.

Knee-high socks printed with hand-drawn koalas or an Australian tropics inspired scarf are sure to uplift spirits.

Julie is offering free worldwide shipping this week in light of Mother’s Day!

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2. Wine

Temple Bruer Wines – as one of the best organic producers in the region, this winery is one not to miss this Mother’s Day.

The 2017 preservative free rosé is said to have hints of watermelon, lemon, strawberries and citrus tart.

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Wine Parcels – This box of goodies is perfect for the mum who appreciates a good drop of red (or white) and a few nibbles to go with it.

The Regional Tastes Parcel favours the Adelaide Hills, featuring selections of produce from vineyards, orchards, strawberry fields, olive groves and dairy farms.

Hard work done for you.

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3. Homewares

Etikette – candles with scents of summer fig, guava, mango and papaya.

This hand-poured soy candle range is named after different regions throughout SA.

Lobethal (yummy figgy pudding), Seacliff (all about coconut and lime) and Heysen (rich espresso), are just a few.

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Rub a dub shrub – these pots with a pun are the perfect long-living gift for mum.

Depending on her appreciation of a good play on words, she’ll love the endless list of sayings able to be printed on these cute potted succulents.

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4. Food

BoxSAlicious – these gift baskets and hampers are made with the best of SA gourmet food and wine.

The carefully selected goods in each pack are from a selection of regions including Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Limestone Coast, Clare Valley, and Riverland.

Plus, what is better than a present that you can “share” with mum.

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Nolans Road – English cooking queen Nigella Lawson is a fan of this extra virgin olive oil from the Limestone Coast.

Pair with some dukkah and fresh sourdough or drizzle over a garden salad at Mother’s Day lunch.

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5. Beauty

Gemma Vendetta Cosmetics – Gemma’s beauty essentials are 100% certified vegan and cruelty free.

Her SA-made products are high quality without a compromise. Gemma, who is an I Choose SA ambassador, also has an interesting background, as her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2016 inspired the mineral-based product launch.

www.gemmavendetta.com

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Yard Skincare – born from a desire to find a natural cure for teenage acne, this skincare brand features face masks, exfoliators, hand creams, cleansers and lip balms.

A lot of time and research has gone into this Adelaide Hills-based product range that is natural, organic and vegan friendly. Oh, and it smells delicious.

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Visit Shop South Australia to find a snippet of the best of SA’s unique artists and designers in one location.

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Visit I Choose SA to find out how you can support our state by choosing South Australian businesses, products and services.

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by brandsa2018

Major Disney stage production to dazzle Adelaide for the first time

Hit Broadway musical Aladdin is set to charm local audiences with half-a-million Swarovski crystals and 337 glittering costumes in 2019, when Disney hits the stage in Adelaide for the first time.

Disney Theatrical Production – which is behind hugely successful musicals The Lion King and Mary Poppins – will present 1994 classic at the Adelaide Festival Centre in April next year.

“Over the years, four of our Disney Theatrical shows have been received in Australia with incredible warmth and affection,” says Disney Theatrical Production president and producer Thomas Schumacher.

“But we know that South Australians have had to travel to those other cities to see those shows.

“So it’s fantastic that – through the Adelaide Festival Centre and the SA Government – South Australians and visitors to Adelaide will be able to experience Aladdin in your wonderful Festival Theatre.”

The arrival of Aladdin in April, 2019, will mark the first time a Disney stage production has been brought to Adelaide.

According to Disney Theatrical, the Australian production features a cast of 34 and 337 glittering costumes featuring 712 styles of beads and almost half-a-million Swarovski crystals.

Twenty six 40-ft trucks will transfer 40 tonnes of exotic flying scenery and 60 tonnes of automation and staging into Adelaide to recreate the colourful fantasy city of Agrabah across the nine-week season.

Aladdin was adapted from the original 1992 animated Disney film, which raked in more than $550m worldwide.

The tale centres around a poor boy, Aladdin, who discovers a Genie in a magic lamp and uses it to rescue a princess.

The Aladdin Broadway show made its world premiere in 2014, and has since expanded its global footprint to Tokyo, Hamburg, London and North America.

Aladdin and Jasmine, played by Ainsley Melham and Hiba Elchikhe.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and artistic director Douglas Gautier says securing the smash hit for Adelaide is “tremendously exciting”.

“The investment in our new foyers, facilities and the beautiful new northern promenade and Walk of Fame have secured Adelaide Festival Centre’s place as an attractive venue,” he says.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to see a major musical at the Festival Theatre and we can’t wait to welcome Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie and the whole show to Adelaide.”

The Festival Centre has recently undergone major transformations and redevelopments, including new northern foyers and the installation of the Walk of Fame.

SA Premier Steven Marshall says that securing the world renowned musical is a “tremendous result” for the state.

“This announcement is a vote of confidence in our arts and creative industries, and securing the world-renowned production on the local stage will not only add to Adelaide’s growing vibrancy, but also help drive economic activity in SA,” he says.

A wait list is now open for those wanting to be first in line when pre-sale tickets land in October. Click here for more information.