Briefcase: Business snippets from an aged care upgrade to new bushfire detection system
In this week’s Briefcase, eight SA businesses have been named finalists in a major award, while one of the state’s oldest pubs celebrates a milestone.
- Helping Hand opens first stage of redevelopment
- High-tech fire detection system activated
- SA businesses named 2026 impact awards finalists
- Additional funding for foster care agency
- SA ‘Skillaroos’ set their sights on Shanghai
- The Barker Hotel hits major milestone
- Redman Wines celebrate 60th birthday
Helping Hand opens first stage of redevelopment
Aged care provider Helping Hand has completed the refurbishment of its Copperhouse Court aged care home.
The project was part of a $20.745 million Whyalla Care Homes upgrade to both Copperhouse Court and Yeltana to deliver additional residential aged care rooms, multipurpose activity spaces, room upgrades and landscaping.
Jointly funded by the federal government and Helping Hand, Kennett Builders partnered on the redevelopments, with 38 per cent of trades engaged on the project registered in Whyalla and across the Eyre Peninsula.
“These refurbishments are just the start of the work we’re undertaking to ensure people are happy while they’re here, and they can enjoy their days with activities and opportunities in these new spaces,” Helping Hand CEO Chris Stewart said.
High-tech fire detection system activated
An AI-Powered Bushfire detection system has been switched on at Mount Crawford Forest ahead of the 2026-27 fire danger season.
The system was used across the Limestone Coast over the past three fire danger seasons and detected nearly 90 unplanned fires.
“The activation of this camera at Mount Crawford strengthens our ability to detect potential fire activity earlier and share critical information with emergency services, supporting faster and more informed responses,” Forestry SA chief executive Nathan Paine said.
You might like
Supplied by Pano AI, funded by the state government, and managed by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance, the system provides real-time alerts and intelligence on fire location, behaviour, and proximity to people.
The Mount Crawford camera unit will provide the state government with a means to assess how the technology performs in a more complex landscape of native vegetation, farms, businesses, infrastructure and residential communities.
SA businesses named 2026 impact awards finalists
Eight of SA’s top businesses have been named as finalists in the 2026 William Buck Impact Awards.
Ranging from satellite technology and cattle IVF to circular construction, the nominees have been recognised for their high-potential and capability to make an impact nationally and globally.
The Impact Awards connect finalists with experienced business leaders, mentors and an alumni network designed to assist in growing the businesses.
“These companies demonstrate that South Australia can be the place where ambitious businesses are not only started, but scaled,” Impact Awards Chair Seth Thuraisingham said.
Full list:
- ART Lab Solutions – Adelaide-based biotechnology company specialising in advanced reproductive technologies for the livestock industry.
- HowMuch Group – a technology-driven customer acquisition and performance marketing company specialising in connecting high-intent consumers with local service providers.
- Foil Drive – specialises in electric assist systems for hydrofoiling, designed to help riders get up on foil more easily and enjoy longer sessions on the water.
- The Yoghurt Shop – South Australian food manufacturer that has grown from its Adelaide Central Market origins into an international retail and export business.
- XFrame – Circular construction technology company developing modular, demountable building systems designed so spaces and materials can be reconfigured and reused.
- Inovor Technologies – An advanced technology company specialising in space systems, satellite technology and mission solutions for commercial, civil and defence applications.
- MyVenue – Adelaide-developed venue technology business providing point-of-sale systems to sporting and entertainment venues in Australia and international markets.
- StrataVote – a software company transforming how strata communities manage governance, meetings, voting and communications.
Additional funding for foster care agency
An additional $110,000 in funding for Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA in 2026-27 has been confirmed by the state government.
The funding will strengthen the support for the organisation as demand for foster carers rises, with thousands of vulnerable children across South Australia requiring their services.
The announcement follows Foster and Kinship Carer Week, which saw almost 1000 foster and kinship carers come together to celebrate the week at lunches, dinners, and a high-end tea.
“I want to express my profound thanks to South Australia’s foster and kinship carers for the strength, compassion and commitment they show every day, in the good moments and the hard ones,” Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA Inc CEO Russell Hooper said.
Stay informed, daily
SA ‘Skillaroos’ set their sights on Shanghai
Two young South Australian women will represent Australia at the world’s largest skills competition in Shanghai next week as the ‘Skillaroos’ team.
Third-year apprentice painter and decorator Jemma Glatz and TAFE SA graphic design graduate Emilie Flavel will compete after a two-year selection process, following their win at last year’s national event.
Known as the ‘Olympics of Trades’, the event will bring together 1400 competitors from more than 70 countries and regions, competing across 64 skills categories.
Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood said, “Skilled workers are critical to our state’s future, and we’re proud to get behind local apprentices, trainees and students as they compete in Shanghai.”
The 48th WorldSkills competition will run September 22 to 27, ahead of Adelaide hosting the WorldSkills in June 2027.
The Barker Hotel hits major milestone
One of SA’s oldest hotels The Barker has celebrated a notable milestone with its 180th birthday.
First opening in 1846 as the Scotch Thistle Inn, the hotel has hosted celebrations, reunions, community events, family gatherings and everyday catch-ups.
“For 180 years, this hotel has been a place where the community has come together to celebrate milestones, support one another and create lasting memories,” Hurley Hotel Group general manager Sam McInnes said.
The venue remains an active support to local sporting clubs, schools, charities and community groups throughout Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills.
Redman Wines celebrate 60th birthday
Redman Wines will celebrate its 60th anniversary and the return of Rouge Homme to the Redman family with a dinner and tasting hosted at their Coonawarra winery.
The event, taking place on October 23, will feature the 2024 Rouge Homme Shiraz/Cabernet along with tastings of wines from the Rouge Homme museum.
After being purchased back by the Redman Family from Treasury Wine Estates in May 2026, this will be the first Rouge Homme released by the family since it was sold to Lindeman’s in 1965.
Rouge Homme was first bottled by Owen Redman in 1952, and has gained a large following in Australia and internationally.
“Rouge Homme has a special place in the heart of Coonawarra. Welcoming it back in the 60th year of Redman is especially meaningful,” co-owner Dan Redman said.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
