Whether it’s a warm summer’s day, or a misty winter’s morning, the Stirling Market in the Adelaide Hills is a popular place to be on the fourth Sunday of each month.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the market, and Richard James, chair of the Stirling Market Committee, attributes its success to the support of locals, and the strong philosophy on which the market is founded.
‘Make it. Bake it. Grow it. Sew it.’ is the catchcry for those wanting to have a stall and sell their wares, and the basic premise is that local people are there to sell things they have produced themselves.
“Visitors want to buy things that have been made or grown in the local area,” Richard says. “Being able to talk directly to the person who has ‘made it, baked it, grown it, or sewn it’ is absolutely priceless.”
The Stirling Market offers visitors a chance to browse and buy local produce, gifts, clothing and homewares.
This strong sense of ownership, enthusiasm and passion by the stallholders for their goods spills over to the many local, interstate and overseas visitors to the market. Although difficult to accurately assess, Richard estimates that around 4–5000 patrons visit on each market day.
About 60% of the stallholders reside in the Adelaide Hills, with another 10% coming from the surrounding regions. The stallholder fees are modest, which allows budding artisans and growers a chance to establish themselves.
“Several of our stallholders have become very successful and have made their way onto bigger and better things,” Richard says. “It is very satisfying to see young talent succeed.”
Marketgoers can grab a sweet treat to enjoy while browsing the stalls.
An important part of the market’s identity is that all committee members are volunteers, and that the net funds from the stall fees are returned to the community via a grants program.
Local schools, sporting clubs, and other worthy groups from the Adelaide Hills Council area have received funding for their activities and special projects. The committee also embraced the Adelaide Hills Sculpture Trail, commissioning a sculpture as a way of thanking the local community for their continued support. The sculpture by Jocelyn Pratt is called Journeys and is located at the corner of Stirling’s Main Street and Druid Avenue.
More recently the market donated to the new RSL soldier’s monument in Stirling. This year over $30,000 will be donated to worthwhile community projects with a significant donation of $11,500 to the CFS units within the Adelaide Hills Council area.
The Stirling Market is often the town’s busiest day, lining Druid Avenue and surrounds with stalls selling local goods.
“Our philosophy hasn’t changed much over the past 30 years,” Richard says. “Yes, we have grown and improved, but the basic premise is still the same. It’s a bit of a cliché, but one of the reasons we are still here is ‘location, location, location’.
“Stirling village is outstanding, we are just six minutes from the tollgate, and situated on Druid Avenue we are canopied by the promenade of grand oak trees which provide shade in the summer, glorious colour in the autumn and allow the sun to shine through in winter.
“Market day is always vibrant with music, friendly chatter and laughter. The myriad of stalls keep visitors busy and involved, ensuring that the Stirling Market is a ‘must visit again’ destination.”
The next Stirling Market will be held on Sunday, March 24. Events to celebrate the 30th anniversary will be held throughout the year.
Main image features the Stirling Market Committee’s Richard James and Kalila Stewart-Davis alongside the ‘Journeys’ sculpture.
The day of love – Valentine’s Day – is about showing appreciation for a special someone usually by way of chocolates, flowers or love letters.
But just how South Australian is your gesture going to be on February 14? Well, we reckon it should be fully and passionately South Australian. Just like we encourage you at Christmas and Easter to shop local – we’re doing it for V-Day as well.
Why? Because shopping local keeps jobs here in our state, it supports small businesses, producers and craftspeople. So we’ve scoured the SA online marketplace – Shop South Australia – for a few gifts for him and her that are sure to be cherished this Valentine’s Day.
Swap the typical red roses for something a little wilder. East End Flower Market, based on Grenfell Street in Adelaide’s CBD, has a passion for wildflowers, which are sourced direct from growers in the Adelaide Hills. Vibrant and pastel-coloured flowers are also sourced from markets each day, resulting in bright and longlasting bouquets that can be complemented with a card and personalised message.
A card is the simplest of gestures. But depending on the message inside it can also mean the most! A good option for those wanting to express their love in the written form. Adelaide-based illustrator Doris Chang is behind Little Sister Co, designer of greeting cards, art prints and textiles. The ‘cheesy’ card, below, is illustrated by hand in watercolour and ink. Everything is better with cheese on it.
Alongside flowers, jewellery tends to be another Valentine’s classic. Glenelg jewellery maker Vanessa Stephens is behind Ocean Haze, a collection of delicate pieces inspired by the beach and the environment. Her earrings and necklaces are contemporary in style, featuring recycled sterling silver, fine silver, and freshwater pearls. They’re crafted with both traditional and contemporary techniques and packaging is made from recycled products! Ocean Haze donates 10% of its profits to the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
“A sparkling opening of pink grapefruit and spiced pink peppercorn with a soft rose heart and a delicate skin-musk dry down”. The description of this Freedom Eau De Parfum is romance in itself! One Seed Perfume is made in Adelaide using all natural ingredients with at least 80% organic content – so better for the environment and those with sensitive skin. Natural fragrances tend to create more complex scent profiles that change slightly depending on the skin it sits on. So each perfume will be slightly different depending on its wearer!
A good gift for the gin connoisseur. 5Nines Distilling is a small-batch distillery in Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills. These guys are relatively new, establishing the distillery in 2016 and have since been trying to achieve perfection, more specifically 99.999% perfection (hence the name). At the moment they stock three spirits, a rare dry gin, a sticks and stone (navy strength) gin and a wild citrus gin. To create, the base liquor is blended with Adelaide Hills spring water and gently infused with indigenous botanicals sourced from bushland in the Flinders Ranges, and around the globe.
Suit-wearing gentlemen will appreciate these traditional leather cufflinks made with a personal touch. Craftswoman Pauline Van Houten is behind Vantler Leather, a leather accessories brand that was inspired by Pauline’s own love for gift giving. Read her story here. Vantler Leather pieces are handcrafted in Pauline’s home studio using full grain leather, with the cuff links available in five different hues. They can be engraved with the wearer’s initials, offering a personal touch and a gift to keep for the long haul!
The perfect timepiece for stylish gents, Blaax watches are minimalistic in design and range from the more casual tan genuine leather straps to sleek black leather bands. Watches are not only practical (obviously) but they can add life to every day outfits and allow the wearer to express a little something about their personality.
Chocolate is a no brainer for those with a sweet tooth or those looking for a small and simple gift. From boxes of assorted truffles to chocolate covered almonds, caramels and fruit and nut assortments, there is plenty of choice. Haigh’s also has a special Valentine’s Day collection featuring special packaging.
Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers and producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
In an industry consumed with fast fashion and big brands, Adelaide shoemaker Matea Gluscevic is proving that slow and sustainable is best when it comes to the world of custom-made creations.
“I can’t really participate in fast fashion or trends because by the time a trend comes and goes, I’m only at the research, development and pattern making stages,” says Matea from her workshop at creative hub The Mill on Angas Street, Adelaide.
“My satisfaction comes from making something that I know will last a long time. I want somebody to be able to have my shoes for ages.”
The 30-year-old designer and maker launched her own shoe brand just over a year ago, with the first order placed by a woman in Portland, Oregon, in the US who had spotted Matea’s shoes on Instagram.
Matea’s workspace at The Mill. Photo by Christopher Arblaster.
Since then Matea’s brand has transitioned through a few name changes and different style directions, from minimalistic and basic block coloured sandals to more futuristic and colourful designs.
Her label underwent a rebrand recently to become Matea Gluscevic Handmade, – in response to Matea’s desire to adopt to a more genuine and sincere style suited to her own personal taste.
The shoes are made to order, taking about three weeks to craft from sustainably sourced materials including wild kangaroo leather, cork and recycled rubber.
The vegetable tanned kangaroo leather is considered more environmentally friendly than typical chrome tanned bovine leather and is sourced from South Australian kangaroo leather tannery Vacel Leather in Adelaide’s north.
“Veg tan leather is made using bark tannins, so it’s better for the environment … I would rather not have too much of a guilty conscience in terms of what I’m doing,” Matea says.
“Even the rubber I use is made from 20% recycled content.”
These custom fit house slippers feature green holographic vinyl, yellow kangaroo leather and a medium density orthopaedic insole.
Matea has been a resident at The Mill for three years, with the first two years of her tenure spent as a sculptor and installation artist.
She brought with her qualifications in shoemaking as well as a Bachelor of Visual Art specialising in sculpture and installation from the University of Adelaide. She even studied a year of dental technology to learn more practical skills with plastering and mould making.
Matea admits that life as an artist can be a tough gig compared to a regular nine-to-five job, and so she works on weekends as a bartender and is also an event manager for a dance party held at an Adelaide nightspot roughly once a month.
Matea’s shoes are made to order and take about three weeks to create. Photo by Michael Papez.
“In terms of being a maker I prefer it here in Adelaide, the environment is better and it feels like a more supportive scene,” she says.
While the life of a craftsperson is usually seen as one spent tucked away in a one-person studio, Matea’s everyday surroundings are quite the opposite.
Although she occupies her own dedicated workspace at The Mill, she’s surrounded by a number of like-minded creators, artists, makers, writers and designers – some emerging, others established.
There’s JamFactory trained jeweller Tanis Blines who shares a studio with her husband John Blines, an artist whose works are entrenched in medical and behavioural science.
Other associate artists include Lisa Penny of Hey Reflect’o, furniture designer Robyn Wood, ceramicist Kate O’Callaghan and tattoo studio XO L’Avant.
Furniture by Peter Fong.
Illustrator and furniture designer Peter Fong has been at The Mill since its establishment in 2013.
Graduating with a visual communications degree at the UniSA, Peter went on to become a freelance illustrator using traditional tools of nibs and ink.
Peter’s portfolio includes wine labels and magazine illustrations and says Adelaide’s close-knit community means he’s rarely had to promote his brand to find work.
He recently pushed the pen to the side to pursue his love for woodwork and furniture design and is preparing to launch his first collection of custom furniture including tables and stools in the near future.
“I mainly use hand tools and try not to use many screws or nails, it’s all joinery,” Peter says.
“I just love building things that last. It makes me happy seeing something down the road and saying ‘yep, it’s still there’.”
A sideboard by Peter Fong.
Industry in focus: Craft industries
Throughout the months of November and December, the state’s craft industries will be celebrated as part of I Choose SA.
South Australian craftspeople make up some of our most creative thinkers and makers of sustainable and innovative goods. Read more craft stories here.
Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.
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Shop South Australia is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 70 local makers and producers. Choose local and Shop South Australia.
Reckon you’re a fair dinkum South Aussie? Well, prove it!
Saturday, October 27 is I Choose SA Day, an annual celebration of all things South Australian, from Balfours frog cakes to the Mall’s Balls and bung fritz.
But there’s way more to it than that. I Choose SA Day is the day to back your state by choosing local products, goods, services, destinations and activities.
And it won’t be hard to do. SA is home to some of the world’s finest produce and best holiday destinations you’ll find. Our state’s playground comprises some of the oldest vineyards in Australia, funky cellar doors and laneway bars, pristine beaches and coastal hideaways, and stunning natural environments that will take your breath away.
If every SA household put a modest $2.30 a week towards buying local food and beverages, it could support up to 600 new local jobs. So let’s do it on October 27. Look for the State Brand to ensure the company you’re buying from or dealing with employs locals and contributes to the growth of our state.
So no matter what sort of South Aussie you are – a foodie, a sports nut, a dog lover, a beer drinker, wine aficionado or traveller – we have you covered.
HOW TO CHOOSE SA IF YOU’RE…
A foodie
Foodies need not be reminded how good SA has it when it comes to gastronomic delights. Our state’s capital is home to Orana, the best restaurant in Australia as crowned by the prestigious Good Food Guide Awards.
Then there’s the slick Japanese-inspired Shobosho on Leigh Street in the CBD, stunning South African cuisine at Africola, and the New York-inspired bar and grill Sean’s Kitchen in the Adelaide Casino, just to name a few.
But the big foodie event on October 27 and 28 is CheeseFest+FERMENT. Head along to Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka in Adelaide to get a taste of all things fermented (e.g. cheese and wine!) You’ll find the I Choose SA toasties, including the delicious classic toasted sanga made with Skara Smallgoods ham, La Casa Del Formaggio mozzarella, and Spring Gully pickles.
In other foodie news, I Choose SA events are also happening at the Adelaide Central Market with cooking demonstrations by Sprout Cooking School.
We’ll also celebrate the launch of the SA strawberry season, with a live auction hosted at the central market by real estate industry’s Anthony Toop on October 27 from 11.45am.
Place your bid on a tray of the season’s first strawberries and show your support for local growers, with all proceeds going to charity.
At Plant 4 Bowden a chef from Jessie Spiby’s restaurant My Grandma Ben will also put on cooking demonstrations.
Pop into your local Foodland to find delicious SA produce and if you’re at the Happy Valley and McLaren Vale stores, spot foodie Bree May cooking up a storm. A number of farmer’s markets are up and running across the state weekends, offering fresh produce from the farm.
I Choose SA toasties (including The Classic, pictured) can be found at CheeseFest+FERMENT on October 27 and 28.
A shopaholic
There’s no better way to choose SA than at the checkout.
Hit Adelaide’s main shopping precinct, Rundle Mall, to drop by a number of local boutiques and gift shops stocking SA wares, clothing, jewellery and gifts. Adelaide Arcade and Regent Arcade towards the mall’s eastern end are excellent places to browse through small stores stocking local art, makeup, homewares, skincare and gifts.
Womens fashion hub BNKR in Rundle Mall is home to brands under Australian Fashion Labels, one of Adelaide’s greatest fashion success stories. Head to Ebenezer Place in the East End to find more small boutiques.
If you’re not in town for I Choose SA Day or shopping from home is more your style, then hit up Shop South Australia, Brand South Australia’s online marketplace listing only local brands.
A party animal
Head to the buzzing Peel Street in the city’s West End, enter into a battle of the whisky and rums bars on Vardon Avenue or check out Adelaide from a few storeys high at one of the city’s rooftop bars, such as the Mayfair Hotel’s Hennessy or 2KW Bar and Restaurant. Think you’ve seen it all? Here’s 11 bars you might have missed.
Fancy some live music or a bit of a boogie? As a UNESCO City of Music, Adelaide knows how to play a good beat. Head to one of our many longstanding live music venues such as The Gov, The Grace Emily, Jive, Fat Controller, Crown & Anchor, The Exeter, Adelaide Uni Bar or The Jade Monkey.
Pink Moon Saloon on Leigh Street is one of Adelaide’s funkiest laneway gems. Photo: SATC.
A wine aficionado
With Adelaide, South Australia, a member of the global Great Wine Capital Network and home to some of the country’s oldest vines, our state produces some of the best drops on the planet.
Our wineries are often headed by multi-generational family businesses producing the highest quality wines.
Twist the top off a Coopers, crack the can of a West End or knock the froth off one of our characteristic craft brews.
SA is home to a large gang of brewers – both large and small scale producers – who are pushing the boundaries with brewing and experimenting with new flavours.
If you’re a traditionalist, we recommend the classic Original Pale Ale by the biggest Australian owned brewery, Coopers. If you’re thirsty for something a little funky, here’s 10 SA beers you really need to try.
The Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery on the banks of the Murray River at Murtho is another must-visit. Photo: SATC/Adam Bruzzone.
A sports nut
You’re scoffing down a Balfours pie at Adelaide Oval every fortnight during footy season and sipping on a West End Draught in the peak of summer at the Big Bash League.
You dust off the deadly treadly at Tour Down Under time, you’ve watched the Adelaide Bite baseball team swing a few and you’ve been decked out in pink at Priceline Stadium in true Adelaide Thunderbirds style.
But aside from professional levels, SA also is home to a family of grassroots sporting clubs that often make up the fabric of our suburbs and regional towns.
So head to the local cricket and cheer on your team, have a swing at your local golf club, hit your local swimming centre or go for something a bit niché. Archery anyone?
A café crawler
Treat yourself on October 27 to a latte, cappuccino, flat white, espresso, long black – however you have it – at one of the dozens, probably even hundreds of cozy cafés throughout SA.
Many of our cafés use local milk from brands like Fleurieu Milk and Tweedvale, and coffee beans roasted locally too. Ask where the muffins, biscuits and slices are made and chances are they’re baked on site or locally. We did all the hard work for you when we hunted down the best coffee spots across the state. Check out our story here.
Avoiding the delicious pastries at La Moka on Peel Street is impossible, just do it. Photo: SATC.
An adventurer
Pack the swag, check the tyre pressure and stock the Esky. SA’s landscapes are a camping, fishing, 4WDing, mountain biking and bushwalking playground.
If going off road is your thing, check out these Top 6 4WD and camping spots in SA, including spots in the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, and Limestone Coast.
SA is also renowned for its mountain bike trails, some of them more suited to skilled downhill riders, others appropriate for young families. We also have the Murray River, an ideal spot for water sports, while the state’s coastlines provide some of the top surfing spots.
Want to really lift your heart rate? Go shark cage diving in Port Lincoln and swim with great whites.
Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula offers a 4WD experience. Photo: SATC.
A dog lover
Take your furry pal to one of these dog-friendly venues we’ve scouted out or treat your pooch to a little something from your local pet supplies store.
Check out SA business Doggy Grub, who make ready-to-eat dog meals made with 100% natural and human-grade ingredients and deliver straight to your door.
Is your four-legged friend easy to please? Hit your local butcher shop and pick up some raw meat bones for them to chew.
A traveller
Keep the tourism dollars in SA by choosing a local holiday destination for a weekend away.
Explore your own backyard by visiting quintessential country towns, camping under the stars, or even booking a night in a luxurious city hotel.
Jump aboard the SeaLink ferry and fall in love with Kangaroo Island, home to a gin distillery, honey farms, Australian sea lions, cellar doors and conservation parks.
Shuck fresh oysters while paddling your feet in the sea off the Eyre Peninsula’s Coffin Bay, throw a line off the jetty along the Yorke Peninsula, sleep under the stars in the Flinders Ranges, or head underground at opal town Coober Pedy.
You can experience the best of SA and book your next local getaway with RAA Travel.
A Pure Coffin Bay Oysters boat among the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula. Photo by Mark Fitzpatrick.
A local business owner
The best thing you can do to show your support for the state, and let consumers know you’re local, is to grab some of I Choose SA merchandise and run your own activities in store.
Get in touch with the I Choose SA team at ichoosesa@brandsouthaustralia.com.au and let them know what you have planned for the day.
Westfield Marion’s Food Hall will also celebrate I Choose SA Day with kids cooking classes, live music and face painting.
Monarto Zoo is the largest open air zoo in the world and will provide a full day of wonder. Photo: Zoos SA.
However you spend I Choose SA Day in 2018, we wanna hear about it!
Snap your local purchase, destination or activity and use the #ichoosesa hashtag, and follow us on Instagram @brandsouthaust, Facebook @brandsouthaustralia and Twitter @brandsouthaust.
Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.
Dairy farmers are tasting success in a growing number of boutique ventures with a leading light, the South Australian owned Fleurieu Milk, preparing to launch into 135 On the Run stores in the next few weeks.
The Myponga-based business was started by three local families when dozens of dairies facing tough market conditions were closing in the early 2000s.
Now, it is part of a brave new independent approach being embraced by SA consumers.
At peak body South Australian Dairyfarmers Association (SADA), CEO Andrew Curtis lists Tweedvale Milk in the Adelaide Hills, Udder Delights, Jersey Fresh, B.-d. Farm Paris Creek and Robe Dairy among others creating a new boutique world for local farmers.
Then there’s SADA itself playing its part in changing the dairy landscape.
Andrew says the industry group joined forces with a Mt Compass dairy farmer and a former MP to broker a deal to support local farmers with supermarket giant Coles in 2012.
As a result, Coles now sells local milk packaged and distributed by Parmalat Australia in Clarence Gardens as SADA Fresh – sending 20c/litre sold back to SADA.
“We use this money for education and projects, introducing kids to dairy farming, and working around on-farm practices such as irrigation efficiency,” Andrew says.
Dairy is now Australia’s third largest agricultural industry with about 230 dairies in SA producing nearly 10% of national production.
In April, 2016, many of these dairy farmers hit rock bottom with farmgate prices plummeting and feed costs rising.
Struggling major national processor Murray Goulburn slashed its price for milk sending shock waves through the industry, already reeling from supermarket giants selling milk as low as $1/litre.
There was a two-pronged fight back for SA farmers.
A major campaign was launched encouraging consumers to support local dairy farmers that Andrew says activated a 10% shift in consumers moving to branded local milk.
Fleurieu Milk are one of many local SA dairy producers helping support local farmers and provide consumers with more choice.
Growing numbers of dairy farmers also realised that a steady movement already underway from the early 2000s to create more independent, boutique brands could be a saviour.
Nick Hutchinson, the general manager of Fleurieu Milk Company, says the incredible support shown by Australians in buying locally branded and owned milk drove an upswell in his company’s sales.
“We had huge growth two years ago when the dairy industry really hit the media, the consumers became more aware and there was a big push to buy local milk where profits didn’t go to companies overseas,” he says.
“It declined a bit after the campaign but this has now stabilised and in the last three months we’ve had substantial growth.”
In two weeks the company, which now also has two other farms supplying milk and has launched a range of flavoured milks and yoghurts, will launch the brand through On the Run service stations.
Products are already sold through Foodland stores, IGAs and other independently-owned stores.
It is also planning to launch a new line of yoghurt celebrating unique, native plant flavours including Kakadu plum and quandong.
Nick Hutchinson, general manager of Fleurieu Milk Company.
Nick says the venture with Indigenous and SA-owned company Something Wild – that sources the ingredients – was a local job creator.
“The industry as a whole is evolving, there’s a push for long life and skim milk products and it’s extremely price competitive, for Fleurieu Milk we’re niche and that works for us,” he says.
While his business is on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about half of SA’s dairies are in the state’s South East, the rest are in the Adelaide Hills, Lower Murray, and the Barossa, with most milk still sent to larger processors.
Andrew from SADA says dairy farmers are facing fresh challenges with the drought creating feed shortages but believes the growing boutique approach will help.
“That’s the great thing about SA in the food space, we are innovative, our artisan brands like Udder Delights or Golden North ice cream all do well,” he says.
The SA dairy industry supports not only local farmers but local producers too, including cheesemakers.
He says Tweedvale in the Adelaide Hills was established in 1974 to process and sell milk and cream from neighbouring dairy farms in Lobethal.
While in the Barossa there’s a group of 14 dairy farms who joined forces to negotiate a higher, fixed minimum price with Woolworths that now sells their milk under the Farmer’s Own brand.
The Alexandrina Cheese Company started on the shores of Lake Alexandrina in 2001 while Alexandrina Farm sells its milk through the B.-d. Farm Paris Creek label.
Then there’s Robe Dairy on the state’s Limestone Coast – milking its own small herd of Jersey cows to produce farmhouse cheese, milk and yoghurt, using the latest and kindest of practices.
“We’ve had a growing number of those companies starting as backyard, kitchen operations to being significant businesses,” Andrew says.
A list of SA milk producers and artisan products can be found at dodairy.com.au
Industry in focus: Agribusiness
Throughout the month of October, the state’s agribusiness industry will be under the magnifying glass as part of I Choose SA.
South Australian farmers, producers, agricultural researchers and biosecurity workers are the lifeblood of our country communities and are big players in the state’s overall economic welfare. Read more stories here.
Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.
Fairy floss, dodgem cars, show bags and dagwood dogs are just some of the ingredients needed for a good time at the Adelaide Showground.
September means showtime and this year’s Royal Adelaide Show is promising all the favourites.
Half a million people visit the show every year – one third of the state’s population – making it South Australia’s largest event. It also generates more than $193 million for our economy every year.
But on top of all the usual fun to be had, be sure to choose SA where you can.
Swing an SA show bag over your arm (the Gourmet Goodie Bag, Robern Menz and Charlesworth Nuts are just a few), slurp on a Fleurieu Milk milkshake or spin a yarn with a farmer in the livestock pavilions.
The 2018 Royal Adelaide Show is on from August 31 until September 9. Here are a few ways to support local in-between all those hotdogs and ferris wheel rides.
The Cup & Saucer ride is one for those after a tamer thrill. Photo by John Kruger.
Golden North ice cream
Think you can smash a one litre tub of ice cream in one minute and 53 seconds? That’s the finish time of last year’s winner of the Golden North ice cream eating competition.
We challenge you to take it to the next level.
The contest is held daily from 1.30 – 5.30pm. There are prizes to be won and tubs to be emptied.
Have a yarn with a farmer
Visit the livestock pavilions to see farm animals big and small laze about before being scrubbed up for judging.
Some of our livestock showers are farmers and stud owners who have travelled from regional areas far and wide in hope of scoring a champion’s ribbon.
Some farming families even camp out overnight at the showground throughout the duration of the event ensuring their animals are fed, watered and looked after!
Once the show is over, be sure to keep local farmers in mind when choosing local dairy, pork and other meat and animal products at the shops.
Grab a Gourmet Goodie Bag
The Gourmet Goodie Bag is full of SA goodies, including offers from Brand South Australia’s new look marketplace, Shop South Australia, launching next week.
In the goodie bag you’ll score Haigh’s Chocolates, Bickfords juice, MOO yoghurt, Fruchocs and much more!
The Gourmet Goodie Bag features a selection of local sweets, nibbles, vouchers and treats.
Get a milk moustache
More than 9000 milkshakes and dairy treats are sold from the milk bar in the Dairy Food Hall every year.
Give our local dairy farmers a nod by sampling dairy products from a range of SA based businesses including Fleurieu Milk, Golden North and B-d Farm at Paris Creek.
Taste the best of SA
The Foodland Pavilion is where the good stuff is at, and by good stuff we mean food.
Quality products grown and produced across the state will be showcased here including wines, baked goods, honey, condiments, olives and smallgoods.
Free olive oil tastings and education sessions, as well as beer and cider sessions will go ahead, allowing industry experts to share their secrets.
Photo: RAHSSA
Look for I Choose SA and the State Brand
Make a competition of it – how many State Brands and I Choose SA logos can you spot? Many local stallholders and producers will be displaying the messaging.
And remember, if you’re snapping something South Australian on social media, use the #ichoosesa hashtag!
Cheer on your fellow South Aussies
Whether it’s the strength of a woodchopper or the intelligence of man’s best friend in the sheepdog trials, competition is rife at the show.
The State Young Farmer Challenge is also one to watch, with our cleverest young people taking on a number of rural challenges including throwing a fleece, rolling and loading a wool bale, setting up an irrigation sprinkler system and an electric fence.
These piglets are almost too cute to handle. Photo: RAHSSA
Royal Adelaide Show fun facts
• The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA will stage its 243rd show in 2018, a world record.
• Nearly 35,000 cappuccinos, 70,000 buckets of hot chips and more than 12,000 donuts are devoured at the show every year.
• More than 9000 milkshakes and dairy treats are sold from the milk bar in the Dairy Food Hall.
• More than 3000 poultry eggs are laid during the event and are all donated to the Salvation Army.
• The Country Women’s Association (CWA) bakes more than 12,000 scones during the show.
Visit I Choose SA to meet the people building business and industry in SA, and to find out how your choices make a difference to our state.
South Australian News 