Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, Ditters comes home and some major milestones for SA businesses. Plus, the latest business events.
- Ditters Nuts returns to Adelaide Arcade
- EdQuest goes global
- SA aged-care group takes home the gold
- Adelaide AI firm merges with ASX-listed software company
- New workforce strategy for Upper Spencer Gulf
- 50 Years of Fassina
- Rundle Mall captures its evolving identity in new campaign
- Jones Radiology marks 100 years
- Burnside Village welcomes Elara
Ditters Nuts returns to Adelaide Arcade
Ditters Nuts returns to its original shop, 22 Adelaide Arcade, after 40 years.
Renew Adelaide has made this possible, supporting the brand after being approached by Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith.
“Ditters’ long-standing association with the Adelaide CBD stretches back to the 1920s, when they had a shop in Pirie Street, across the road from the Adelaide Town Hall, so it’s a real treat to have their distinctive aroma and products return to our city,” said Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith.
Otto Ditter founded the company in 1918, selling products ranging from roasted nuts to dried and glazed fruits, and their Ditters Gourmet Cake, which still uses the same recipe.
To pay homage to the business, a portrait of Otto Ditter by local artist Marisha Mathews has be commissioned, and will be unveiled at the store’s official launch event on September 11th.
“Adelaide Arcade is the perfect location for them to connect with local shoppers – whether they’re long-time fans or just discovering the range for the first time,” says Renew Adelaide CEO Gianna Murphy.
EdQuest goes global
Adelaide-based learning software EdQuest has officially launched globally, showing success in the United States as it is being used in schools across five continents.
The tool launched mid-July with the intention of supporting academic achievement, boosting student engagement and fostering the required skills in the 21st century.
Aimed at the global education sector, EdQuest uses gamified learning, which brings elements of interactivity and games into an educational or non-game setting to teach students.
The program is currently being used globally by 28 different teachers, with anywhere between 30 and 150 students, said Ross Riach, Chief Product Manager and Head of R&D at EdQuest.
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“We’ve got a unique case with a music teacher who teaches basically every student in the school of 650 kids,” said Riach.
“We did not expect to expand our customer base in five continents in the first month of launch, but it is great to know the product is in demand by educators and students across all ages.”
SA aged-care group takes home the gold
South Australian Aged Care and Housing (ACH) Group was the only SA-based winners at the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards.
Chosen from over 420 nominations, ACH Group’s Social and Health Teams were recognised for their innovative work engaging with 210 aged care residents through a 546km cycling challenge.
The HESTA Excellence Awards recognise leading teams from around Australia and honour remarkable contributions to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for all Australians.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said: “these professionals are among the shining stars of the aged care, allied health, community, and disability services sectors, going above and beyond every day to care for their communities”.
The eight winners will each receive $7500 from the ME subsidiary of the Bank of Queensland to put towards education, service improvement, or team development.
Adelaide AI firm merges with ASX-listed software company
Complexica, an Adelaide-based AI supply chain optimisation firm co-founded by Matthew Michaelewicz, has been acquired by ASX-listed Prophecy International.
The “transformational merger” creates a new ASX-listed software company called Complexica Group Limited, with the ticker CPX. It will be based in Adelaide and will focus on enterprise-grade AI.
Prophecy shareholders will own the majority of shares (62 per cent), with chairman Ed Reynolds noting the merger “represents a transformational milestone for Prophecy, uniting our best-in-class enterprise applications and 40+ year track record of serving blue-chip customers with Complexica’s market-leading AI capabilities”.
“Together, we are creating an AI-first, end-to-end solution that will be the first of its kind on the ASX.”
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Blueprint to Delivery: Implementing SA’s Health Infrastructure: The Property Council is hosting a breakfast forum to explore the future of healthcare delivery in South Australia and the infrastructure it requires on 19 August. Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2025: Adelaide is set to host the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum on August 26 and 27, 2025, welcoming over 750 senior delegates, including diplomatic officials, investors, and commercial leaders from the Southeast Asian region. EuroMix 2025: The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with nine other European Chambers, is bringing together key European players in Australia for this unique event on 28 August. Gala Dinner – South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards: The South Australian Business Chamber and the Government of South Australia are hosting the gala dinner for the South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday, August 29. South Australian Zero Homelessness Summit 2025: This event on October 23 aims to unite key stakeholders from across the state to foster practical solutions for ending homelessness in South Australia. |
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New workforce strategy for Upper Spencer Gulf
The State Government has recently released a workforce strategy for the Upper Spencer Gulf region which aims to ensure career opportunities from existing and emerging industries are accessible for all.
The strategy, which is the first of its kind, was developed with input from local industry, stakeholders and communities.
Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close called the strategy “timely in its aims to attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce, improve workforce participation of disengaged and disadvantaged people, and build a workforce to deliver on immediate priorities”.
She also highlighted the opportunities afforded by the global green transition to the region, with its “unique convergence of sun, wind, and significant mineral resources.”
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The strategy includes commitments to support the region in meeting emerging workforce demands like the 4,000 new jobs expected to be created in support of major projects in the region and 1,500 longer term roles.
A key deliverable in the strategy is the $5.9 million Spencer Gulf Jobs and Skills Hub, designed to connect local workers with these job opportunities, as well as provide training and other services.
Strategic outcomes outlined in the framework include attracting, developing and retaining the skilled workers needed to meet the emerging labour demands for the region’s long-term sustainability and success, as well as improving the workforce participation of disengaged and disadvantaged people.
The strategy brings together the Whyalla steelworks packages from the state and Federal governments and investments in education, skills and training.
50 Years of Fassina
South Australian business Fassina Liquor celebrates 50 years of being family owned and operated.
The business celebrates its anniversary by hosting a Masterclass with Henschke Wines.
The independent Liquor Retailer was founded in 1975 by Joe Fassina, and is now being run by the third generation of the Fassina family.
Fassina’s flagship store opened in Somerton Park in the early 2000s, and has eight locations across Adelaide.
Rundle Mall captures its evolving identity in new campaign
The ‘Only Rundle Mall’ campaign seeks to set Rundle Mall apart from any other destination in South Australia.
The campaign was planned for two years, being informed by a research-based place-making strategy, to redefine Rundle Mall beyond a shopping destination.
“Through this campaign, and our ‘Only Rundle Mall’ positioning, we want to show that Rundle Mall is a one-of-a-kind experience every time you visit, and a place that has something for everyone,” says Andrew White, Adelaide Economic Development Agency’s Executive Manager, Rundle Mall.
Rundle Mall’s revised offering increases the number of experiences to be had in the mall and help grow the night-time economy.
Jones Radiology marks 100 years
Jones Radiology has celebrated 100 years by hosting a special centenary celebration at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
The doctor owned and operated practise began in Adelaide in 1925 with a single x-ray room, and has now grown to 700 staff and over 60 radiologists across their 28 clinics in South Australia and Alice Springs.
Chief Executive Officer Susan O’Neill said that as healthcare moves towards a more tech-driven space, Jones Radiology was ready for the future.
“We’re investing in systems, in people, and in regional access, because we know the next 100 years will bring a growing population, new expectations, and exciting possibilities,” Professor O’Neill said.
“Our Goal is simple: to keep delivering the best care, wherever people need us. My hope is that in another century, someone will be saying the same thing, that Jones Radiology continues to lead with heart, care and purpose.”
Burnside Village welcomes Elara
Burnside Village has announced the opening of medi-spa Elara, introducing treatments using products never before seen in South Australia.
Designed to provide an unparalleled wellness journey, Elara will offer a comprehensive menu of skin, body and hair treatments.
The location is also set to have the largest medi-spa within an Australia shopping centre.
Alongside the opening of the store, the first 100 guests each day will receive a premium Elara gift bag. Visitors who participate in a personalised clinic tour will also enter into a draw to win a complimentary Japanese Hair Spa Treatment.
