by brandsa2018

World’s largest outdoor art gallery on the cards for outback SA

Marree woman Jo Bonner is overseeing what she hopes will become the world’s largest outdoor art gallery in a bid to boost tourism in outback South Australia.

Two artists are already on board the Artback Rail Trail which aims to eventually see various outdoor public artworks installed in small SA towns along the old Ghan railway.

Jo, 63, is vice president of the Marree Progress Association, which has secured a $20,000 grant, from Regional Arts Australia through Country Arts SA’s Step Out Grant, to support the first two participating artists, Raylene Klinger and Susan Michael.

The women have already begun work on their projects and will showcase their creations in Marree from July 7-13, coinciding with the town’s popular camel racing event, the Camel Cup.

While the exact nature of the artworks is yet-to-be revealed, one of them will involve an old red Ghan carriage in Marree, with its surface prepared by Work for the Dole participants.

An abandoned train station in Marree.

Jo says she is aiming for at least two artworks – which could range from sculptures to murals – to be unveiled each year.

She says she hopes the trail will eventually connect small towns along the old Ghan rail route, including Lyndhurst, Farina, Marree and Oodnadatta.

“At this stage we’re hoping it could run from Port Augusta to the Northern Territory border, which could make it the largest outdoor gallery in the world,” Jo says.

“The artworks could be on walls, buildings … outback towns have many old stone ruins that would be perfect so there’s a lot we can do.”

Jo says she encourages tourists and locals to participate in the artworks or watch as they develop.

She says she was inspired to bring the Artback Rail Trail to life because it could help boost tourism in the outback and rejuvenate interest and business livelihood in small country towns.

The Marree Australian Camel Cup is one of the biggest events on the town’s calendar and a main fundraiser for the Marree Progress Association. The first two Artback works will be launched the day before the races.

“We have all that rail history and the outback attractions like Farina and Lake Eyre, but we’re still not quite getting that tourism and getting people in,” Jo says.

“If we can increase the time tourists spend here it’s going to increase tourism in the town, leading to substantial growth, more employment opportunities and maybe even encourage people to consider what it’s like to live here.

“Even if the visitors don’t stay over night but buy a cup of coffee … every little bit counts and it’s keeping the services alive.”

Jo says she was inspired to create an outback arts trail after learning of a long, public railway trail in Canada and seeing the success of the Silo Art Trail in Victoria.

“With the Silo Art Trail, all those little towns were dying until they created artworks on the silos and now the towns are booming,” she says.

“People go there to watch the artists in the cherry pickers painting the silos.”

Jo moved to Marree three years ago from Adelaide with her husband.

Together they own the Drovers Run Caravan Park, while Jo is also a relief teacher at Marree Aboriginal School.

“I really knew nothing about Marree before I moved here, but I’d always had a liking for the outback and was always fascinated by the colours of the landscape,” she says.

In February 2018 Jo’s commitment to her community helped secure her as a finalist for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner Alex Thomas, left, with finalists Jo Bonner and Lauren Thiel.

She says the acknowledgement had helped spread the word about the Artback Rail Trail and shed light on country communities in the Far North.

“We really have to market these outback places because it’s important for the people who live here.

“It’s not just about the art.”

An exhibition of works by local and SA artists will unfold in the Marree Hall in July.

Artists will also present workshops, including night photography and landscape painting, in the evenings at Drovers Run Caravan Park.

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by brandsa2018

Top 10 places to visit in SA (while the weather’s still playing nice)

It’s official.

Summer is over and autumn is here.

The good news, however, is that the good weather won’t disappear overnight, so consider this your last chance to get out there and enjoy some of South Australia’s most iconic and Instagrammable spots.

With a couple of long weekends on the horizon, we’ve rounded up 10 amazing local sights that have to be seen to be believed.

(And yes, it was nearly impossible to cap it at 10 – we sure do live in a beautiful place!)

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1. Locks Well Beach

We all love the Eyre Peninsula for a long weekend getaway and Locks Well Beach is of the most reliable locations for catching salmon in SA.

There’s also a lookout with panoramic views of the beautiful rugged coastline and the perfect photo opportunity to capture a stunning west coast sunset.

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2. Lake Bumbunga

Drive two hours north of Adelaide (approximately 25 minutes from Port Wakefield) and you’ll not only think pink, you’ll see it.

Lake Bumbunga is made up of three salt pans that have been harvested for over 30 years for use in swimming pools, water softener and – wait for it – fish and chips. Yes, really!

3. Umpherston Sinkhole

Who knew a sinkhole could be so beautiful?! Located in the heart of Mount Gambier, this naturally formed limestone cave was transformed into a garden late in the 19th century and it’s been a tourist magnet ever since.

However, we doubt Instagramming your visit was around back then…

4. Seal Bay

Kangaroo Island’s south coast is not only home to white sandy beaches, but – as the name suggests – plenty of seals.

You’ll literally find yourself surrounded by the cute sea creatures lazing around on the sand. They’re Insta stars in their own right and know how to strike a pose.

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5. Talia

The tiny town of Talia is another Eyre Peninsula hidden gem.

Waves have crashed against the granite cliffs for many years to create this stunning seaside destination which is known for rock fishing, fossils and its beautiful turquoise coloured ocean.

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6. Fishery Bay

Located in Port Lincoln National Park, Fishery Bay is a spectacular section of coastline bordered by high cliffs.

A popular fishing area, the bay was the site of a 19th century whaling station and some of the remains are still visible on the eastern rocks.

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7. Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre – despite its name – is usually dry and only fills up once every eight years. Despite this, it remains one of SA’s most well-known natural landscapes.

The vast, dry expanse of shimmering salt is so large that it crosses the borders of three states and on a cloudless day, seems to merge into the horizon.

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8. Remarkable Rocks

No visit to Kangaroo Island holiday would be complete without a trek to one of its signature landmarks.

It took approximately 500 million years for rain, wind, and crashing waves to create the Remarkable Rocks which are now part of the Flinders Chase National Park.

Word has it that early morning and early evening are the best time to visit and take a snap.

9. Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound is more than 800 million years old, located in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.

A large natural amphitheatre created by millions of years of erosion, it’s surrounded by ancient mountain ranges, spectacular gorges and sheltered creeks.

It’s also is a favourite for nature lovers and bushwalkers alike.

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10. Innes National Park

If you’ve ever wanted to get away from it all, head to Innes National Park.

You won’t be completely alone as it’s home to emus, kangaroos and tammar wallabies, and you may also see whales, dolphins and seals swim past.

This stunning location is a natural playground with beaches, bushwalking trails and secluded fishing spots with the most incredible view of the stars.

Sonia Bavistock is a fashion and lifestyle blogger and also has her own social media management and copywriting business. Sonia is passionate about all things South Australia and can often be seen dining out with a glass of wine in hand.

by brandsa2018

Speedcast: there’s no better place for us than SA

Mike Kenneally is a senior executive at Adelaide-based Speedcast and says there is no better home for the leading global communications company than South Australia.

He says that over the past four years the business has acquired a handful of other companies, boosted its revenue and is now a world leader in high performance communications for government, maritime, defence, mining, oil, and gas sectors.

“If you looked at where we were four years ago to now, it’s chalk and cheese,” Mike says.

“We have a much larger revenue, we’re a much bigger company, and we’re much more strategic.”

As the largest provider of remote communications and IT services in the world, Speedcast’s services are delivered via a global network of more than 70 satellites and more than 40 teleports worldwide.

Mawson Lakes in Adelaide’s north is home to a sophisticated anchor station facility that connects Speedcast’s clients to the rest of the world.

Speedcast acquired state-of-the-art teleport infrastructure from NewSat in 2015 and has since installed more infrastructure, employed more engineers, and experienced “healthy” revenue growth.

Mike says the Mawson Lakes-based teleport is “one of the biggest and most strategic from a military point of view”.

“The anchor station contains a whole lot of antennas that are pointed at different satellites and we connect all the clients of those satellites to the rest of the world,” he says.

“The location (of the teleport) is extremely strategic because we can cover all of the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East from Adelaide, we’re right in the middle of it all.

“We’ve supported Australian government initiatives in the Middle East and in our own region,  providing comms to soldiers in the field. Any sort of communications they want, we can provide.”

In 2017 Speedcast was awarded a contract to provide mission-critical remote communication services for the Department of the Environment and Energy’s Australian Antarctic Division.

The service allows individuals in Antarctica’s harsh climate to communicate with the outside world and in the event of an emergency.

Mike says Speedcast has upgraded the satellite technology in the Mawson, Davis and Casey bases in Antarctica, quadrupling their data throughput.

“Certainly it’s been an interesting challenge and we’re expanding the roles of some of the people here and in Perth (another of Speedcast’s hubs), but the responsibility for the project rests with the team here in SA,” he says.

“One of our guys (from SA) has been down to the ice for a couple of weeks to actually do the conversion, which was pretty exciting for him.”

In a more recent leap forward, Speedcast won a $184m contract with the National Broadband Network (NBN) Co to deliver enterprise-grade satellite services.

“The NBN up until now has been a consumer level service but they are ready to expand it and offer services to business … and clients in mining, oil, gas, defence, and maritime,” Mike says.

He says Adelaide’s climate makes it the perfect city to host satellite communication networks for use by the defence sector, among others.

“The weather here is perfect for us because satellites operate best in clear sky conditions, we’re geologically stable, politically stable and we have excellent communications infrastructure,” Mike says.

“We also share a border in some respects with the US, which you wouldn’t immediately think but for US clients who want to connect using (station in) Adelaide, they can connect without going over anyone else’s territory.”

Despite Adelaide being an important hub for Speedcast, it has 1300 employees worldwide, the majority of them engineers.

The company has two sites in Adelaide, one in Thebarton and the other in Mawson Lakes.

Mike says Speedcast is “looking to expand its role” in the nation’s naval shipbuilding plan, including the $35 billion Future Frigates to be built in SA.

He says that with the state secured as Australia’s defence epicentre, over coming decades will come a drive in growth and optimism for local start-ups.

“I think we’re seeing recent wins by a lot of companies and a decision to continue shipbuilding-related activities here,” Mike says.

“That will have a spin-off for SA and businesses are sensing that optimism, which hasn’t been there for quite a while.”

Mike has a background in technology, satellites and defence-related projects and says he’s glad he can remain in the industry from his home state.

“The changing technology now makes it possible for people to work from anywhere but still be engaged in the sector and I think that’s a fantastic thing,” he says.

“It means that people don’t have to move away for their job.

“It also means there are new opportunities for new start-ups to capitalise on niche opportunities and operate from here … they don’t have to go and live California to do it.”

I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries stories are made possible by City of Salisbury:

Visit the I Choose SA for Industry website 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

SMEs to benefit from SA’s future shipbuilding boom

Born and bred South Australian Mark Koennecke is operations manager at a small company set for big benefits from the state’s involvement in the $89 billion naval shipbuilding program.

Managing operations at SA-based Mincham Aviation, Mark says the state’s 30-year shipbuilding future will help expose the business to “the cutting edge of manufacturing”.

“The Future Frigates, Future Submarines and Offshore Patrol Vessels are future projects, we’re talking about programs that are going to be built in the next five to 15 years and the Future Subs will still be going in 30 years’ time,” he says.

“What we’re doing is exposing ourselves to the future and the benefit for us is to constantly be there at the cutting-edge of manufacturing.”

Mincham Aviation established itself in SA in 1996 and over time built a reputation for supplying specialist parts to global aerospace and defence sectors.

Employing about 16 staff from its base at Parafield Airport, the company specialises in the manufacturing and repair of advanced composite and sheet metal components for civil and military aircraft.

Mincham Aviation employees are based at Parafield Airport.

It also has a strong research department which has developed aerospace, defence and aero-medical equipment.

“We have our own line of aero-medical products that are used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service such as stretchers and lifting systems,” Mark says.

“We manufacture components for the Collins Class submarines, the Air Warfare Destroyer program, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, Northrop Grumman’s Triton platform and the Tiger helicopters, there’s a lot that we work on.”

As of November 2017, Mincham Aviation became a participant in French software company Dassault Systèmes’ Virtual Shipyard Training Program at Regency TAFE SA.

Dassault is working with the Naval Group (which is designing the Future Submarines project) on building the country’s first digital shipyard in Adelaide.

A digital – or virtual – shipyard involves software that manages the lifecycle of the ship from its build to operation and maintenance.

Mincham Aviation along with seven other SMEs are participating in the Virtual Shipyard Training Program, as SA gears up for the $50 billion submarines build.

Through the program, participants will gain training and support in the development of digital capabilities, providing them with the opportunity to compete for work on a global scale.

Mark says the opportunity to be a part of it will expose Mincham Aviation to “a very high-end digital capability”.

“It’s giving us the opportunity for us to get our heads around how they (global companies) are going to expect local businesses to be operating and interacting with them in the future naval programs that will be happening here in SA,” he says.

“From our perspective it (the program) is covering off on areas that we do; project management, contract management, security management of data, then looking into the engineering side of things, product data management and machining capabilities.

“It’s a very big picture of how that’s going to be happening digitally in the future and how we can cross the bridge and start being digitally savvy in those areas right now.”

Despite its promising future, Mincham Aviation has hit some speedbumps over the years, including when the Global Financial Crisis hit and forced the business to lease out its second facility at Edinburgh Parks.

Now that SA is on the cusp of a shipbuilding jobs boom thanks to Australia’s $89 billion shipbuilding program, Mincham Aviation is considering a reboot of its Edinburgh Parks base.

“We have a medium-term plan to be re-establishing ourselves back at Edinburgh Park in the next five years and introduce a quantum leap in our capability level,” says Mark, who has worked in the defence industry for the past decade.

Mincham Aviation’s operations manager Mark Koennecke.

Prior to his role at Mincham Aviation he was the general manager of sheet metal fabrication enterprise J&H Williams in Port Adelaide.

Mark says over the years he’s noticed a significant shift in job security in the defence and shipbuilding industries.

“The landscape of the defence industry particularly here in SA has changed dramatically  from there being comfortable amounts of work to what they call the ‘valley of death’,” he says.

“Now it’s a 15-50-year outlook that is very positive.”

Mark says working in the defence industry is challenging yet rewarding but being based in SA means he can stick to an industry he loves while remaining in his homestate.

“Being operations general manager doesn’t mean that I go home at 5pm, but it’s a choice I made to be in this role and I don’t have to go interstate, commute or fly in and out,” he says.

“I need to be with my family on a daily basis and I’m lucky that the defence industry has given me that ability.”

I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries stories are made possible by City of Salisbury:

With the support of The University of Adelaide

Visit the I Choose SA for Industry website 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

Regional SA tourism operators shine at national awards

Two regional South Australian tourism operators have walked away with gold medals at last Friday night’s Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

For the second year running, luxury accommodation provider The Frames in the Riverland was crowned Australia’s best Self Contained Accommodation, while Hahndorf’s Adelaide Hills Convention Centre was named best Business Event Venue.

The Qantas-sponsored awards, announced on Friday February 23 in Perth, recognised the best in the business from around the country.

Built in 2014 in Paringa by husband and wife duo Rick and Cathy Edmonds, The Frames offers three private retreats perched on cliffs overlooking magnificent views of the Murray River.

Luxury accommodation exists not only in big cities, but in SA’s regions too.

The couple aims to raise awareness of the Murray River and the emerging boutique wine and craft product culture in the Riverland, SA’s food bowl region.

“To be recognised among the best tourism offerings in Australia is wonderful and we are proud of the opportunity to showcase the Riverland to international and domestic guests,” Cathy says.

“We wish to thank everyone for their continued support, especially our guests who are seeking secluded space to relax and reconnect.”

The Adelaide Hills Convention centre is a popular spot for business events and functions, weddings, birthdays and other celebrations.

Hahndorf family the Schirripa’s and the team at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre also celebrated a gold medal win for Business Event Venue.

The convention centre was recognised for its “world-class business event facilities and services” and for its scenic views overlooking the Hills.

Aside from the function centre, the Mt Barker Road location is also home to the Three Gums Bistro and Hahndorf Resort Tourist Park, featuring a caravan park and a range of other accommodation options.

The convention centre overlooks stunning views of the Adelaide Hills.

Eight other SA tourism operators from across the state walked away with silver and bronze medals.

SA Tourism Industry Council CEO Shaun de Bruyn says South Australians should be “extremely proud” of the world-class experiences we have on offer.

“The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards recognise the best of the best in tourism within Australia and set the benchmarks for the best business practice which all tourism business(es) should aspire to achieve,” he says.

“For SA to be awarded ten medals is a fantastic result and will further ensure our brilliant visitor experiences and magnificent regions remain on the tourism map.”

State Tourism Minister Leon Bignell says SA’s visitor economy has increased by 29% in the past four years to a record $6.3 billion, reflective of tourism operators’ dedication and passion for the industry.

Nominations for the 2018 SA Tourism Awards are open until June 25. For more information click here.

Silver award winners:

  • Calypso Star Charters (Port Lincoln) – Tourist Attractions
  • Murray River Walk (Renmark) – Ecotourism
  • Yondah Beach House (Foul Bay) – Deluxe Accommodation

Bronze award winners:

  • Santos Tour Down Under – Major Festivals and Events
  • Calypso Star Charters (Port Lincoln) – Adventure Tourism
  • Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat (Willunga) – Hosted Accommodation
  • Marree Hotel (Marree) – Standard Accommodation
  • Barossa Valley Cheese Company (Angaston) – Excellence in Food Tourism

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

Fringe hubs go regional

From creative antics to belly-wobbling comedy and all-round craziness, South Australian regions aren’t immune to the madness of the festival season in 2018.

Adelaide Fringe frivolities have spilled into regional areas, with several hubs popping up across the state, from Whyalla, Mt Gambier and, for the first time, Kangaroo Island this week.

Organisers of the KI Fringe say up to 2000 people attended the inaugural event, run by Country Arts SA, at Penneshaw on February 20.

The “gin soaked” cabaret Mother’s Ruin had the crowd lively, while black comedy Charolais, was also a hit.

So if you call one of SA’s regions home, or are just passing through, check out these following Fringe Hubs and catch some Mad March vibes.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell pumps some iron with MC Goran Nataskavich at the inaugural Kangaroo Island Fringe on February 20.

Fleurieu Fringe
WHEN: February 16–25
WHERE: 21 Wearing Street, Port Noarlunga

This one’s already kicked off, so be quick.

The frivolities are running over two weekends along the riverbank at Port Noarlunga.

The nerve-wracking Idris Stanton (below) will hit the stage with his one-man show this Saturday (February 24).

Think circus, comedy, and stunts all in one.

Live tunes, an artisan market, food trucks and bars are scattered across the grounds, while Tasting Australia festival director Simon Bryant is showing crowds how it’s done in his cooking demonstration.

Stirling Fringe, Adelaide Hills
WHEN: March 2-12
WHERE: Stirling Coventry Library lawns

More than 90 performances, 38 different shows and 80 artists from across the globe – it’s going to be another full-on Stirling Fringe for production company Bamboozled Productions.

Last year was a first for the Adelaide Hills town of Stirling, with a collection of shows sold out and the library lawns crawling with attendees.

Highlights include Adelaide theatre company Slingsby’s The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy, Double Denim’s Big Party For Little Humans, and Sticks Stones Broken Bones.

Stirling Fringe will pack out the Stirling library lawns. Come and see a show or just soak in the atmosphere!

Desert Fringe, Port Augusta
WHEN: March 3–4
WHERE: Port Augusta Cultural Centre – Yarla Purtli

Now in its 11th year, Desert Fringe will unfold with a weekend packed of circus, comedy, music, dance, and visual art.

The event is big on celebrating culture, with a mix of local, national and international performers letting loose.

Deadly Funny, who has performed regularly at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, will be in town for the first time on the hunt for a promising Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander comedian.

Irish comedian Martin Mor will also share his (ticketed) show Mor Funny Stuff.

Expect the weird, wonderful and flexible at the Desert Fringe. PHOTO: Trentino Priori

Fringe in Goolwa
WHEN: March 9–11
WHERE: Jaralde Park, Goolwa Wharf Precinct

This year’s Fringe in Goolwa program features a jam-packed weekend of shows across a variety of venues along the wharf precinct.

One venue worth a look-in is the quirky Goolwa Caravan, to be host to arts, comedy and music.

Art exhibitions, open mic sessions, a raffia wig workshop, live music, are just a few things to expect.

PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

Fringe in Mt Gambier
WHEN: March 23–24.
WHERE: Cave Gardens, Mt Gambier

SA’s second largest city, Mt Gambier, will explode with colour in late March, following the success of the town’s Fringe in 2017.

Street food, a hypnotist and body artists are just a few things to be expected at the Cave Garden.

Get that Hawaiian shirt out and check out the pop-up Tiki bar just outside City Hall.

World class performers and local talents will take over Mt Gambier for another Fringe season. PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

UneARTh Festival, Whyalla
WHEN: March 30 and 31
WHERE: Foreshore and Ada Ryan Gardens, Whyalla

Another regional instalment returning after a successful launch in 2017, the Whyalla UneARTh Festival will return over the Easter long weekend in 2018.

It will provide artists and festival goers a final chance to indulge in Fringe fun with the Adelaide Fringe wrapping up two weeks prior.

The first UneARTh attracted more than 10,000 people, so expect big things from circus, music and cabaret scenes this year.

Last year’s UneARTh Festival attracted more than 10,000 people to enjoy a myriad of talents.  PHOTO: Trentino Priori.

… as for the rest

Tanunda, Palmer, Robe, Victor Harbor, Lobethal, Mt Compass, Crafers, Mt Barker, Nairne, Auburn – will also be home to a Fringe event or two.

Head to FringeTIX for more information.

by brandsa2018

Bird’s-eye view is a day in the office for SA’s only female chief pilot

From barely-trodden tracks to hidden beaches and rugged coastlines,  South Australia’s only female chief pilot Felicity Brown experiences breathtaking views every day.

But ask the co-owner of Ceduna travel agency and air charter business Chinta Air about her favourite place in SA and there is only one.

“My favourite spot is in the pilot seat,” Felicity says.

“I’m not a good passenger, I don’t have a favourite aircraft to fly, I don’t have a favourite job to do, I just like to be in the left-hand seat and flying.”

Chinta Air chief pilot Felicity Brown.

Felicity and her husband Noel Schwarz run Chinta Air from Ceduna on the west coast of SA.

They launched the business with one aircraft in 2003 after discovering a love for flying.

Now the business is licensed to operate seven aircraft from three full-time bases and two part-time bases across the state, and has recently expanded onto Kangaroo Island.

The establishment of a base on KI marked the first time in a decade that scenic flights have been available on the island.

Aside from its headquarters in Ceduna, Chinta Air has a base at Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges, at the Parafield Airport in Adelaide and, during the winter months, the Nullabor Roadhouse on the state’s far west coast.

 

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Chinta Air’s scenic flights allow passengers to ‘sightsee’ from the air, whereas charter flights take passengers from A to B.

“During the winter our base at Nullabor operates scenic flights over the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, where the southern right whales gather to give birth, socialise and breed,” Felicity says.

“In 2017 there were 182 whales including 81 calves there – it’s the most significant nursery for southern right whales in the world.”

Felicity describes the charter flight service as the “Uber of the air”.

It allows passengers to access remote communities and regions that are otherwise only accessible by vehicle.

Chinta Air also undertakes survey work, aerial photography and tailored air safaris, which include trips than can span across days or weeks into different states and locations.

Felicity is originally from country Western Australia and met Noel, a wheat and sheep farmer from the Eyre Peninsula, in the ’90s.

She was still working and living in WA at the time, and first thought about flying when hearing about the Outback Air Race, a GPS-based navigational time trial across the Australian outback.

She had no knowledge of aviation and knew no one with a plane, but was stubborn and refused to live up to a suggestion that she couldn’t do it.

Thunderstorms over #laketorrens #flindersranges #outbacksa @southaustralia

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As a single mother working part-time, she gained her pilot license and convinced two friends to fly with her in the race.

The trio decided to inject some fun into the flight by dressing in belly dancing costumes and naming themselves, The Delilah’s of the Desert.

“I can fly a plane but I can’t sew so my costume was superglued and stapled together,” Felicity says.

“We turned up at Alice Springs for the start of the air race and we walked into the room and looked around.

“Some of the guys had team names on their polo shirts and the really adventurous ones had it across their backs.

“And there we were in belly dancing costumes … I now know what a stunned silence is.

“We ended up finishing not quite last, but learnt a heap and fell in love with flying along the way.”

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In 1999, Noel too learnt how to fly.

Chinta Air was born in Ceduna in 2003 and after a few years Felicity would gain qualifications to become SA’s only female chief pilot and one of five across Australia.

Every day in the air is different, she says.

“You can fly over the same piece of scenery every day for a week and every day there will be something different,” Felicity says.

“There’s always an opportunity to learn something new – learning to fly at night, upside down, low at 100ft above ground level, in cloud, and in different types of aircraft.

“It’s brilliant.”

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by brandsa2018

BAE’s Sharon Wilson on embracing the digital revolution in defence

Major defence and security company BAE Systems Australia’s Sharon Wilson is proud to play her part in South Australia’s high-tech jobs revolution.

Originally from the UK, Sharon and her husband chose SA to live and work in 30 years ago and was catapulted into the world of defence and shipbuilding almost from the get go.

She’s been with BAE Systems, one of the country’s largest defence contractors, since 1990 and is now the company’s head of industrial strategy.

“I think people will be surprised to know just how many women there are in our company,” Sharon says.

“We have some amazing women in senior roles, our management board is about 60/40 male to female which is very good by industry standards.”

BAE Systems’ new CEO, Gabby Costigan told a recent conference in Canberra that the company is using collaborative robots to build parts for the Joint Strike Fighter jets in Adelaide.

Gabby told the conference the use of such technology does not mean the removal of the human employee.

Sharon agrees and says it’s all a result of Industry 4.0, otherwise known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The trend in automation, that is already transforming modern manufacturing, is relevant to shipbuilding in various ways, she says.

“(It) can range from something very simple in terms of tracking a part in a factory to measuring the efficiency and capability of machines in your factory,” Sharon says.

“It can be a virtual integrated schedule, so you know where things are without looking across lots of spreadsheets, basically automate the process as much as you can.

“In terms of a shipyard, safety is paramount. So how can we apply technology robotics automation to minimise risks as much as we possibly can?

“(In the future) we will still be having people doing manual labour and robotic programming. So the kinds of jobs will be very different and they’re already different.”

BAE Systems Australia’s head of industrial strategy Sharon Wilson is an I Choose SA ambassador for the shipbuilding and defence industries.

With Industry 4.0 comes a new wave of high-tech jobs, many of them in SA.

With the state secured as the epicentre of the national defence sector, SA will be the home of the majority of work involved in the nation’s $89 billion shipbuilding plan.

Projects within BAE Systems’ reach have the potential to be “groundbreaking”.

One of them is the $35 billion SEA 5000 Future Frigates contract, of which BAE Systems is one of three contenders.

The successful bidder, expected to be announced mid-2018, will deliver a new generation of warships for the Australian Navy.

Sharon says if BAE is successful it will also include the build of Australia’s first high-tech digital shipyard.

The digital shipyard would create a paperless ship build, with each of the nine ships replicated to allow real time accessibility to all aspects during design, build and maintenance.

BAE would base the SEA 5000 design on its Type 26 Global Combat Ship which is being built for the UK Navy “in SA with an SA workforce”.

Sharon says the Future Frigates program will be the “envy of the world”, regardless of who wins the contract.

“I think it’s very exciting for shipbuilders, SEA 5000 is going to be groundbreaking and will be the envy of shipyards around the world,” she says.

BAE Systems employs more than 3500 people in Australia, including 1000 in SA.

The company has two sites in Adelaide –  one at Edinburgh Park, the other at Technology Park.

Sharon says BAE Systems is “absolutely” set for a job rise “in the thousands” across the nation.

BAE System’s Edinburgh Park base is home to a machine that manufactures titanium tail components for the Joint Strike Fighters. It’s the only machine of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Machining titanium for aerospace is a very tricky business and the kinds of parts we manufacture are what they call ‘fracture critical parts’,” Sharon says.

“The whole process is very much quality controlled to ensure we don’t have any issues.”

In her 30 years in SA, Sharon says she’s pleased with the efforts of Defence SA and “progressive” State Governments that have solidified SA as the defence epicentre of Australia.

She says the state’s burgeoning industry will have nation-wide benefits.

“It’s going to be important for SA to be able to deliver what it needs to deliver, that’s the reality,” she adds.

Sharon is an I Choose SA ambassador for the shipbuilding and defence industries.

I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries stories are made possible by City of Salisbury:

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

 

by brandsa2018

Why a leading edge cyber security firm chose SA for growth

Cyber security company VeroGuard Systems was lured to South Australia by the position of the state’s defence precinct, its “world-class” universities and skilled workforce, says the company’s Iain Moore.

Last year the Melbourne-based company announced plans to establish a $57.5m advanced manufacturing and operations facility at the Edinburgh Park industry estate in Adelaide’s north.

The move will create almost 600 jobs in three years, with about 400 of them employees from Adelaide’s northern areas including former automotive workers.

In February 2017 it was announced the 600 jobs boost could grow by another 1500 following a partnership with Adelaide company LVX Group.

The new advanced manufacturing facility and Global Network Operations Centre, supported by a $6m State Government grant, will allow the company to produce cards and software enabling ‘hyper-secure’ online transactions.

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So what place does a cyber security company have in SA and what does it mean for the state’s burgeoning defence and shipbuilding industries?

“Cyber security underpins the ability for development and execution of sensitive material to be done in an effective manner,” says Iain, VeroGuard’s commercial general manager.

“Imagine if every time someone wanted to share some information it needed to be printed, put in a briefcase and physically taken to someone else.

“Although a USB stick can now play the part of the printer, much information cannot be simply downloaded and emailed to a colleague, as the security level is not high enough.

“VeroGuard enables that collaboration or interoperability.”

The spotlight was put on the importance of cyber security in the defence sector in 2017 when sensitive information about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was stolen from a small business.

VeroGuard, originally based in Melbourne, has developed the world’s first digital identity platform and cyber security network to prevent hacking and secure the internet for VeroGuard System users.

“Put simply it creates a secure environment in which users can create content online, transmit that content and store it without fear of hackers stealing their information,” Iain says.

“Cyber security is a key enabler in defence industries due to the highly sensitive nature of the data created, transmitted and stored by organisations in that industry,” Iain says.

“VeroGuard Systems has developed a solution that solves these risks at a level that can be accepted by defence and their contractors.”

Iain says VeroGuard intends to work with many of the contractors involved in the naval shipbuilding program, set to unfold in SA over coming decades and bring thousands of jobs.

Born and bred in SA, Iain worked in large technology companies before an opporunity at VeroGuard was too good to miss.

VeroGuard Systems commercial general manager Iain Moore.

He says a return to home soil is possible due to the company’s growth in SA.

For now, the jobs involved in the company’s advanced manufacturing side will be long-term and “brand new roles”, Iain says.

“Due to the nature and intellectual property, the assembly will need to be completed onshore in Australia,” he says.

“The chain of custody related to these processes mean that offshore assembly is not an option, so former auto workers out of Holden or other auto suppliers will be very well suited at the VeroGuard Systems facility.”

The company is also teaming up with the University of Adelaide to collaborate on research around cyber security and to create content for newly designed courses in the sector.

Iain says SA universities’ links to defence and STEM fields were a key drawcard in VeroGuard’s growth plans.

Other pulling factors included the skilled workforce from the car making industry as well as the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, he adds.

I Choose SA for Shipbuilding and Defence Industries stories are made possible by City of Salisbury:

Visit the I Choose SA for Industry website 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

Support local at the I Choose SA Farmers’ Market Weekend

There’s something charming about wandering through stalls overloaded with fresh veggies and sampling a slice of brie before having a yarn with a local grower … all in the same space!

That’s a South Australian farmers’ market for you, and this weekend we’re celebrating 11 of them across metropolitan and regional SA.

Brand South Australia is sharing the importance of shopping local at the I Choose SA Farmers’ Market Weekend on February 24 and 25.

Whether it’s just-picked fruit or freshly baked sourdough, when you shop local you’re not only buying high quality goods, but you’re supporting the endeavours of everyone involved.

“It’s really important to showcase our amazing local produce and remind all South Australians to choose locally sourced fresh produce,” says Brand South Australia CEO Karen Raffen.

So grab your shopping bag, free up your Saturday or Sunday morning (or both!) and get ready to chat to locals, sample some local fare and do your bit for our state’s farmers and food producers.

Need something to carry around your goods? I Choose SA tote bags are available from Brand South Australia’s online marketplace, Shop South Australia.

The Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market features produce from different corners of SA.

Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Leader Street, Wayville
WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 8am–noon

This market was named the nation’s best farmers’ market in 2015 by the Australian Traveller magazine, so it’s one definitely worth a stop.

This Sunday Celebrity chef Simon Bryant will host a cooking demonstration from 11am.

Buskers, live music and kids games will also add to the atmosphere, but best to get in early as the market usually attracts about 6000 people!

Adelaide Hills Farmers’ Market
WHERE: 23 Mann Street, Mt Barker
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 8.30am–12.30pm

The Hills market will feature a cooking demonstration by Season Garden Café owner Silvia Hart from 10.30–11.30am.

An animal nursery will entertain kids from 9.30am–12.30pm, while face painting and live music will also unfold.

Keen to hear something a little different? Be sure to chat to the owners of Adelaide Hills Pastured Eggs, who will tell you all about the Maremma sheepdogs who protect the farm’s hens from predators.

Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread or pastries? No, there is not.

Barossa Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Cnr Nuriootpa and Stockwell Roads, Angaston
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 7.30–11.30am

From jams to award-winning cream, dried fruit, fresh veggies, olive oil and dukkah, this market features the best of the Barossa (and was named 9th best in Australia in 2015 by the Australian Traveller magazine).

Aside from the usual offerings, the Barossa Farmers’ Market will this weekend feature a scavenger hunt and hide and seek games to keep kids entertained.

Cittaslow Goolwa Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Jeralde Park, Goolwa Wharf Precinct
WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 9am–1pm

Teams will put their Webers (and other smoking equipment) to the test this Sunday for the annual Cittaslow Smoke Off.

From ham to fish, beef and chicken, cooks will smoke all kinds of fare in hope of being crowned the best.

A smoked meat demonstration will also show market goers how it’s done.

Kingscote Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Bay of Shoals Winery, Kangaroo Island
WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 10am–2pm

Islander Bridgette Bruce from Flavours of Petite Provence will cook up a storm in her market to plate cooking demonstration.

Located at the scenic Bay of Shoals Winery, this market is one for having a cuppa, grabbing some food, having a browse and making a morning of it.

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Mt Gambier Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Watson Terrace, Mt Gambier
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 9am–noon

You can’t go past the Limestone Larder Pies, Kalangadoo Organic juices or the Pine Ridge Honey, just to name a few.

Nor can you go past produce picked just the day before the market.

Kids will be entertained and educated about life on an Aussie farm through a performance by George the Farmer.

Mt Pleasant Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Mt Pleasant Showgrounds, Melrose Street, Mt Pleasant
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 8am–noon

2014 My Kitchen Rules winner Bree May, now behind ‘Food According to Bree’, – will host a cooking demonstration from 9.30am. The first 20 people to grab a seat will receive a free goodie bag!

This under-cover market features quality produce from the southern Barossa and Adelaide Hills and will also feature an SA Food Trail.

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Riverland Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Berri Senior Citizens’ Hall, Crawford Terrace, Berri
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 7.30–11.30am

This Riverland gem is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors as the brekky bar offers a range of local food choices, freshly squeezed orange juice and, of course, locally roasted coffee.

To get a good overview of this food bowl region, check out stallholders Glen View Poultry Farm, Riverland Dried Fruits, and Bella Lavender.

Victor Harbor Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Grosvenor Gardens, Torrens Street, Victor Harbor
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 8am–12.30pm

This is the place to embrace and support Fleurieu producers.

From home-style baked treats to boxes of stone fruits, hand crafted choccies, and wild caught seafood – the Victor Harbor market is a seaside treat.

Also, don’t miss Victor Hotel’s Dan Armon’s cooking demonstration!

Willunga Farmers’ Market bustles with hundreds of people every Saturday.

Willunga Farmers’ Market
WHERE: Willunga Town Square, Main Road, Willunga
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 8am–12.30pm

Celebrity chef Simon Bryant will delight the audience’s senses with a cooking demonstration from 10.30am.

This weekend the market is also celebrating its 16th birthday with games and activities for the kids as well as henna tattoos and face painting.

Grab a coffee, have a graze, and stock up for the week ahead.

Wirrabara Producers’ Market
WHERE: High Street, Wirrabara
WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 8.30am–noon

The Mid North is not exempt from farmers’ market frivolities – the Southern Flinders Ranges town of Wirrabara is a foodie’s haven.

Whether it’s homegrown, handmade or home-cooked – you’ll find something to fill your tote bag.

Check out local craft stalls, taste a drip of local honey or simply watch the crowd go by in the sunshine.

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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