Briefcase: Business snippets from methane-reduced beef hitting shelves to a major CFS revamp
In this week’s Briefcase, the Motor Trade Association hosts its annual awards ceremony, and a biofouling research centre opens at Osborne Naval Shipyard.
- Motor Trade Association celebrates a century
- Methane-reduced Angus beef to hit supermarket
- Nova Systems to upgrade vital bushfire safety system
- ARC Biofilm Centre to open at naval shipyard
- Women-owned businesses thriving under Renew Adelaide
- Adelaide Central Market appoints new creative partner
Motor Trade Association celebrates a century
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has celebrated its 100th year by honouring the state’s leading apprentices, employers, and trainers at the 2026 MTA Graduation and Awards.
More than 650 apprentices, employers, and industry partners attended the Adelaide Oval ceremony where 200 apprentices graduated into the workforce and 19 award winners across the trade were celebrated.
Ethan Lockwood was crowned the 2026 MTA Apprentice of the Year, while Female Apprentice of the Year went to MTA Automotive Refinishing apprentice Elly Brake.
The MTA Scholarship Program and the MTA Ambassador Program initiatives were also launched on the night to support the next generation of automotive professionals.
“We know that today’s apprentices, who toil away for four years, are facing real-world cost-of-living pressures that can make completing an apprenticeship difficult,” CEO of MTA SA/NT Darrell Jacobs said.
2026 MTA Award Winners
Apprentice of the Year Award: Ethan Lockwood hosted at RMB Service Group
Female Apprentice of the Year Award: Elly Brake hosted at Eblen Collision Repairs
Dual Trade Apprentice of the Year Award: William Forrest hosted at McLaren Vale Auto Electrical
Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice Award: Matt Baudinette employed by Barry Maney Group
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Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice Award: Bradley Connor employed by JV Crash Automotive Group
Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice Award: Ally Dedman hosted at Eblen Collision Repairs
MTA Trainer of the Year Award: Martyn Beck – Trainer and Assessor – Heavy Vehicle
MTA Emerging Trainer of the Year Award: Robbie Braithwaite – Trainer and Assessor – Light Vehicle
Bob Goldsworthy Award: Taran Donovan employed by JVS Bodyworks
Cleve Training Centre Apprentice of the Year Award: David Hissey employed by Emmetts Crystal Brook
Royal Park Training Centre Apprentice of the Year Award: Ashanyia Smith hosted at North East Mitsubishi
Automotive Industry Employer of the Year Award: JVS Bodyworks
Automotive Employer Commitment to Safety Award: Butler’s Mechanical Pty Ltd
Host Employer of the Year Award: Symons Clark Logistics
Work Experience Employer of the Year Award: Limestone Coast Motorcycles and Small Engines
VET Coordinator of the Year Award: Alana Probert – Student Pathways and Careers Leaders at Brighton Secondary School
Most Outstanding School-Based Apprentice of the Year Award: Kyan Hollins employed by Eblen Subaru
VET in School Student of the Year Award: Jayden Casey – Open Access College
Methane-reduced Angus beef to hit supermarket
Pasadena supermarket Adelaide’s Finest has become the world’s first supermarket to sell methane-reduced Angus beef, marking a milestone in the reduction of greenhouse emissions.
The cattle are fed SA-based company CH4 Global’s Methane Tamer and are reared at HB Rural in Warnertown near Port Pirie.
Methane Tamer consists of native and locally grown dried Asparagopsis seaweed, which can reduce methane emissions by up to 98 per cent.
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The Angus beef is branded as Flinders Beef and is available to customers at Frewville Foodland, Pasadena Foodland, local butchers, and at restaurants.
Nova Systems to upgrade vital bushfire safety system
Adelaide-based defence and security company Nova Systems has been selected to deliver a major upgrade to the SA Country Fire Service’s (CFS) bushfire planning mapping systems.
Nova Systems would develop the next generation of Bushfire Management Area Plans (BMAP) to support improved bushfire risk assessment, planning and mitigation.
The BMAP project would be the most significant reform to the bushfire mitigation plan in 15 years and would replace the current platform with improved consistency and real-time mapping tools for better emergency management.
“With one of the largest, independent geospatial teams in Australia, we are well placed to support the CFS with advanced geospatial and bushfire mapping technology that enhances preparedness through the coordination of bushfire risk mitigation strategies,” Nova Systems CEO Dean Rosenfield said.
ARC Biofilm Centre to open at naval shipyard
The Australian Research Centre (ARC) Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation announced it would establish a permanent presence at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.
The establishment of the ARC Biofilm Centre would assist in significant maritime biofouling research.
Biofouling is the unwanted build-up of organisms, such as bacteria, on surfaces including marine vessels, water pipes and other surfaces which cost industries billions each year to remove and eradicate.
“We can now conduct much of our South Australian analysis on-site rather than transporting samples back to Flinders University. Being on-site increases the range of research experiments we can do,” Training Centre director Sophie Leterme said.
Women-owned businesses thriving under Renew Adelaide
Women-led businesses have been prospering in Adelaide as recent data shows 89 per cent of businesses launched in the city through Renew Adelaide’s rent-free program between July and December 2025 were owned by women.
Renew Adelaide, which is funded by Adelaide Economic Development Agency’s Strategic Partnerships Program, connects emerging businesses with available vacancies to build their business concept without long-term lease commitments.
Ten women-led businesses also graduated from Renew Adelaide to secure commercial leases in the same timeframe, including consulting firm The Good Trouble Group.
“The female-led businesses we’ve supported this financial year have also substantially added to the local jobs economy, creating 91 jobs and supporting an additional 174,” Renew Adelaide chief executive Gianna Murphy said.
Adelaide Central Market appoints new creative partner
The Adelaide Central Market Authority has appointed creative advertising agency SAUCE as its creative partner as part of the $600 million Market Square precinct development.
SAUCE has been selected to lead the creative campaign and brand work to shape how the expansion is introduced to the community.
The expansion would see more than 50 new traders across retail and hospitality join the Adelaide Central Market.
“As a local agency, SAUCE demonstrated a genuine understanding of what the Market means to South Australians and presented a thoughtful, forward-looking vision that aligned with the ambition of this project,” Adelaide Central Market Authority general manager Fabienne Reilly said.
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