Briefcase: Business snippets from an RAA partnership to an industrial facility sale
In this week’s Briefcase, the state’s farmers brace for further Middle East impact, and emerging wine leaders are awarded a major scholarship.
- Catherine House partners with RAA
- Iondrive sells South Korean business
- $41m Ottoway industrial facility purchased
- SA farmers confident but bracing for Middle East impact
- Wine leaders awarded scholarships
Catherine House partners with RAA
Accommodation support service for women experiencing homelessness, Catherine House, has announced a new partnership with the RAA.
Through the partnership, the RAA would support Catherine House in providing a safe place for women to stay and financial support for crisis accommodation.
The RAA would also provide women with driving lessons through the RAA Drive school, assist with car registration costs and car care workshops to build skills and confidence.
Catherine House said the partnership was about “removing barriers” and “opening opportunities” for women, while driving a lasting impact in the community.
Iondrive sells South Korean business
Critical mineral exploration company Iondrive has announced the divestment of its exploration business based in South Korea through a binding share purchase and assignment agreement.
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Iondrive would receive $332,903 following the divestment completion of its 100 per cent owned Singaporean holding company International Gold Private Limited, which owns Korea Metal Resources Limited.
The divestment would also reduce Iondrive’s underlying cost base by $600,000, allowing it to focus resources on its metal extraction platform and low-emission recovery of critical minerals.
The change in ownership is set to be finalised no later than April 30.
$41m Ottoway industrial facility purchased
Westbridge Funds has acquired a 4.57-hectare industrial facility just eight kilometres from Osbourne Naval Shipyard.
The acquisition of the industrial site on Grand Junction Road is expected for settlement on March 20, with Westbridge Funds spending $41 million on the site.
CBRE Research has predicted AUKUS production will require large amounts of industrial space in Adelaide, creating heavy demand for the limited amount of land available.
Westbridge chairman Damian Collins said Adelaide’s structural supply constraints make it a “compelling” growth opportunity.
“These assets deliver income growth and can drive value through repositioning, rental uplift, and strategic asset management,” Collins said.
SA farmers confident but bracing for Middle East impact
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Data from the latest Rabobank survey reported that South Australian farmers were marginally more confident now than they were last quarter.
South Australia was the only state to report a higher confidence level in this period, with all other states tracking an overall drop.
Red meat market prices have remained consistent, and almost half the farmers surveyed cited seasonal conditions as part of the reason for their confidence.
However, farmers remained concerned about rising input costs, with more than half of survey respondents citing rising costs such as fuel, labour, and insurance as an ongoing issue, even prior to recent events in the Middle East.
“Concern about the impact on farm budgets as a result has been steadily tracking higher in SA for the past year in line with costs creeping up quarter on quarter,” said Rabobank state manager for SA Roger Matthews.
Wine leaders awarded scholarships
10 South Australian wine professionals have been awarded scholarships through the 2026 Great Wine Capitals Executive Business Program to upskill and develop career opportunities.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the state’s wine and tourism sector by developing adaptability and resilience to better prepare for future challenges in the industry.
The program is set to run over six days during May 2026, with recipients learning skills on how to identify new opportunities, adopt sustainable practices and build their brand.
This initiative provides a fantastic opportunity to further develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills, positioning scholarship recipients to better navigate the growing complexities and challenges of the wine and tourism industry,” Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said.
2026 Great Wine Capitals Executive Business Program scholarship recipients:
| Scholarship recipients | Business | Region |
| Ben Shaw | Home of Plenty | Currency Creek |
| Charlie O’Brien | Silent Noise Wines | McLaren Vale |
| Emma Hart | Down The Rabbit Hole Wines | McLaren Vale |
| Jessica Nicholls | Kimbolton Wines | Langhorne Creek |
| Madison Pike | Pikes Wines | Clare Valley |
| Megan Paisley | Shaw + Smith | Adelaide Hills |
| Priscila Tamara Diniz | Eighteen Fifty & Co | Clare Valley |
| Sally McDonald | Zema Estate | Coonawarra |
| Samantha Cartwright | Gibson Wines | Barossa |
| Stephen Lindner | Turkey Flat Vineyards | Barossa |
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