Flinders University is now the principal partner of the Adelaide Strikers BBL team, a move described by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling as a “commitment to delivering innovative education that packs a punch”.

“This summer, we’re proud to expand our support to include the Strikers’ BBL team, reinforcing our role as the first standalone Principal Partner of the WBBL,” Stirling said.

“It’s a powerful platform to drive education and career opportunities in sports and business.”

A startup developing a digital security technology through advanced non-intrusive authentication techniques won the grand prize at this year’s ThincLab eChallenge.

Typpio, founded by University of Adelaide students Savannah Fund and Oveena Widyaratne, was awarded a total of $32,700 at the competition.

Students Jack-Henry Mooney, Thomas Robson and Jack Tidemann’s ULab Coffee won second prize, while Ayanfejesu Doherty and William Tran from SkyPay took out third place.

“This year’s eChallenge winners have the potential to shape the future of business, from revolutionising cybersecurity and finance to redefining consumer experiences in coffee brewing and strata management,” University of Adelaide Pro-Vice Chancellor (Entrepreneurship) Professor Noel Lindsay said.

Non-for-profit human research ethics reviewer Bellberry was named one of the best businesses in the country at the Telstra Best of Business Awards – the only South Australian company to win at the national level.

The Adelaide-based company won the Championing Health category in recognition of its work in the medical research sector.

“This is great recognition of our work, but it is also about the incredible quality of work that is undertaken more broadly in the Australian research sector,” Bellberry CEO Kylie Sproston said.

South Australia will house the first international hub of the Space ISAC, a body focused on improving cybersecurity in space operations.

The hub aims to foster collaboration between public and private sectors to address cyber threats and raise the global security posture for space.

Deloitte’s Byron Riessen will represent the hub on the Space ISAC board.

“From a national security context, there is ever increasing activity of cyber threats in space just like the one’s businesses and governments are prioritising to attention every day,” Riessen said.

“Deloitte is delighted to support the establishment of the Space ISAC’s Australian Global Hub as it provides an opportunity for the Australian space ecosystem to work alongside global stakeholders in addressing these types of issues, to inform emerging new space cyber standards and to enter global supply chains.”

Rail First, an Australian rolling stock manufacturer, has produced its 250th wagon at its Islington facility, underscoring the growth of the rail transport sector and the increasing demand for modern, efficient rail infrastructure.

The 250th wagon will join the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) fleet, supporting the transportation of long lengths of rail steel across its extensive network. This investment in a contemporary wagon fleet will enhance the efficiency and reliability of rail operations, reducing reliance on road transport.

“We are thrilled to deliver this 250th rail wagon, manufactured by our skilled workforce using Australian-made products,” said Beata Lipman, CEO of Rail First.

“Local manufacturing offers numerous advantages, including shorter lead times, reduced cost risks, and enhanced quality control.”

ARTC CEO Wayne Johnson said the “addition to our wagon fleet will enhance our capacity, efficiency, and resilience”.

Rail First has manufacturing facilities in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

The state government has launched an expressions of interest (EOI) campaign to find an operator for an “innovation hub” in a to-be-built Lot Fourteen tower that will be anchored by BAE Systems.

The operator will run the Innovation hub for up to 13 years, and will also plan and co-design the space funded by $20 million from the Australian Government and $4.525 million from the state government.

“The hub’s operator will function as a state-wide ecosystem enabler, acting as a concierge for businesses, intermediaries and research institutions, while curating, operating and activating the hub,” state government promotional material for the EOI reads.

The Adelaide Convention Centre won three honours at the Australian Business Events Awards in Sydney this week.

Cellar Door Fest was judged Best Consumer Show, and the venue also won the Sustainability Initiative Award – Environment and Climate alongside the overall Best Product or Initiative in 2024 for its leadership in minimising waste to landfill.

Adelaide Venue Management CEO Martin Radcliffe said it was a “real coup for South Australia” for the venue to win the awards.

Five South Australian figures, including business leaders, will receive honorary doctorates from Flinders University.

Paolo Sebastian designer and founder Paul Vasileff, Haigh’s Chocolates CEO Alister Haigh, filmmaker and activist Taryn Brumfitt, painter Robert ‘Alfie’ Hannaford and microscopy and pathology expert Patricia Vilimas will all receive the honorary doctorates.

“I am delighted to formally acknowledge our admiration and recognition of our honorary graduates and welcome them into the Flinders’ family,” Flinders University chancellor John Hood said.

“The awards acknowledge five distinguished figures with a record of achievement and innovation in very different fields.

“I would like to congratulate our deserving recipients upon these distinguished honours for their commitment to their crafts, and lasting impact their dedication has made.”

The inaugural School Impact Program run by Credit Union SA has given a total of $116,000 to 30 schools across the state, such as $3000 to Elizabeth Park for an enclosed outdoor area and funds to Torrensville Primary to create a culturally immersive Yarning Circle.

The program received more than 360 entries in its first year from schools across the state.

Credit Union SA CEO Todd Roberts said the program “has delivered on its promise of putting funding in the hands of our education leaders, as they know what their community really needs to be able to thrive”.

Château Tanunda was established in 1890, the site of some of the Barossa Valley’s first planted vines. Picture: supplied.

Château Tanunda took home a Berliner Wine Trophy for the 14^th consecutive year in the renowned international competition.

The award for Best Producer Still Wine Australia is given based on results from the competition’s summer and winter editions, in a thorough process with over 14,000 entries from 40 countries.

The Tanunda winery’s winter entry took home 10 gold medals, including the grand gold for their 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021.

In the summer entry, five of their wines were awarded gold medals, including a Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2023 and Terroirs of the Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz 2022.

Château Tanunda managing director Michelle Geber said to receive the coveted award was an honour.

“We are proud to share the premium Australian wine story with our global wine markets and to receive such an accolade, let alone so consecutively, is a testament to the quality of Barossa wines on the international stage,” she said.

Other SA wineries to receive gold medals across the 2024 competitions include Barossa wineries Kaesler Wines, Iggy Wines, Eisenstone Wines, Clare Valley’s Taylors Wines, McLaren Vale’s Angove Family Winemakers, and Hahndorf Hill.

Tasmania’s Bream Creek, Victoria’s Yarra Yering, Western Australia’s Willow Bridge Estate and New South Wales’s Lindemans were among the Australians recognised.