Mentoring program empowering veterans| December 18
Applications are now open for the 2026 Veterans SA Career and Business Mentoring Program, which pairs veterans with business leaders from across South Australia, offering guidance to help set career or business goals and achieve personal success.
The eight-month program is free and open to transitioning and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, Reservists and the partners and adult children of current and former ADF members.
Participants will have access to monthly online workshops covering career transitions, translating skills, job search strategies and business support. To apply as a mentee or mentor, visit the Veterans SA website. Applications close Friday 13 February 2026.
Monitoring buoys to predict future algal blooms | December 18
Six hi-tech monitoring buoys which will automatically detect future harmful algal blooms before they reach our shores are being deployed across South Australian waters.
The state-of-the-art oceanographic moorings are equipped with sensors for early detection of key harmful algal bloom species such as Karenia. If a species is detected, an immediate alert is sent to scientists via satellite communication.
The first two monitoring buoys have been installed at St Kilda and Stansbury in Gulf St Vincent, with the remaining four sites to be finalised in consultation with industry.
Rezoning to unlock thousands of homes | December 16
A proposed rezoning will unlock the potential for approximately 16,000 homes in Adelaide's north, far surpassing previous estimates and providing the housing supply and diversity required to meet the region’s long-term needs.
The rezoning of the Kudla Growth Area and surrounds considers future growth and infrastructure requirements to support the creation of new neighbourhoods, jobs and high-quality open spaces that support long-term greening, biodiversity and community wellbeing.
The area affected by the proposed planning amendments encompasses approximately 2480ha across the Town of Gawler, City of Playford, and Light Regional Council. The rezoning process is proposed to be finalised in late 2027.
Work begins on 1000 new houses | December 12
Civil works are now underway at Onkaparinga Heights (external site) (external site) in Adelaide's south, paving the way for up to 1000 houses to be constructed on the parcel of land, formerly part of Hackham and Old Noarlunga.
Being delivered by South Australian property development company YAS, work will begin on the first homes in the second half of 2026, with residents expected to move in during 2027.
The YAS parcel of the site will also include a retail centre and at least 15 per cent of housing will be designated as affordable. The development will also feature pedestrian and cycling paths, and extensive tree plantings.
New senior appointments | December 12
Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM has been appointed as South Australia’s new Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner.
The HCSCC plays an important role in supporting consumers, carer and service providers to resolve complaints, improving the safety and quality of health and community services, and providing information, education and advic
e about health and community service rights and responsibilities.
Dr Coulson Barr, pictured, has served as the Queensland Health Ombudsman since 2022, delivering many notable contributions to protecting Queensland’s public health and safety, while also driving improvements to the quality and safety of health services.
In the education field, TAFE SA has appointed a new Chief Executive in Adam Kilvert.
Mr Kilvert has served as Interim Chief Executive since July this year, has been appointed as Chief Executive of TAFE SA for a period of three years.
TDU to host women's world champ for first time | December 10
The Santos Tour Down Under is set to make history in January when it hosts the women’s rainbow jersey – worn by the current UCI Road Race World Champion – for the first time.
In a major coup for Australian cycling fans and the event, Canadian Magdeleine Vallieres who claimed the world title in Rwanda in September, will be on the start line in SA in January.
And in a powerful one-two punch, her team EF Education-Oatly has also confirmed Vallieres’ teammate Noemi Rüegg will be returning to Adelaide to defend her TDU title. Rüegg rode solo to victory on the Tour’s queen stage up Willunga Hill this year then finished third in Stirling to clinch the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey by 13 seconds.
While Mads Pedersen (2020), Peter Sagan (2017 and 2018), Philippe Gilbert (2013), Cadel Evans (2010) and Oscar Camenzind (1999) have all opened their new season as men’s world champion at the TDU, Vallieres will become the first current women’s road race world champion to do so.
Museum calls for Nature Photographer of the Year entries | December 10
The South Australian Museum has issued a call for entries for the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year.
Last year it was won by Western Australian underwater photographer Ross Gudgeon with his Fractal Forest; a unique image from inside a cauliflower coral shot in Indonesia (pictured).
Photographers can submit entries in 10 categories: Animals in Nature, Botanical, Animal Behaviour, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Portfolio and Junior. Entries are accepted covering content from across the ANZANG bioregion – Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea. The entry form and more information can be found here.
Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge to return in 2026 | December 9
Wheelchair rugby teams from around the world - including the Australian Steelers - will once again converge in South Australia for the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge when it returns to Adelaide in April next year.
The event will run from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 April 2026 with games broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
Tickets will be available from early 2026. Register your interest now to be the first to access tickets at https://www.wheelchairrugby.com.au/tickets (external site) (external site) (external site).
First Findon Technical graduates | December 4
The first group of year 12 students have graduated from Findon Technical College.
Two thirds of the 33 graduates have career paths in place in advanced manufacturing and engineering - including working for leading defence industry employer BAE. The remaining 11 are on career pathways in the areas of health and social support or early childhood and education.
All graduates have completed their VET qualifications, and all but one student has already fully completed their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
Findon was the first of five technical colleges to open across the state, with all colleges open for students next year.
Your passion can be your plate | December 4
South Australians can now take home a piece of motorsport action with a new Adelaide Grand Final number pl
ate.
The new plate sports a picture of several Supercars and displays a black background with white characters. Combinations are issued sequentially from A 001 A and plates cannot be customised.
The plates can be purchased for a once-off fee of $267.
More support for children's mental health | 3 December
A new Marion Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub has opened in Adelaide's southern suburbs.
Located at the Marion GP Plus Health Care Centre, the hub will provide free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged 0-12 years experiencing mild to moderate development, emotional, relational and/or behavioural challenges, while supporting their families, carers and kin.
A formal referral or diagnosis is not needed for children to receive care. A second Kids Hub will be established in northern Adelaide with a location to be confirmed.
For more information about Kids Hubs and helpful resources, please visit Kids Hubs | Medicare Mental Health (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
Adelaide welcomes first long-range Emirates A350 | 2 December
Emirates first ultra-long-range A350 has landed in Adelaide, making it the first city in the airline's global network to receive the new aircraft.
The touchdown also marked the introduction of Emirates new Premium Economy cabin to Adelaide and helps to strengthen South Australia's access to key international markets.
The A350 can stay in the air for up to 15 hours non-stop, with a range exceeding 14,000 km.
The daily non-stop flights will depart from Dubai at 02:00hrs, arriving in Adelaide at 20:50hrs. The return flight will leave Adelaide at 22:50hrs and arrives in Dubai at 05:20hrs the next day. All times are local.
Helping to showcase SA's natural wonders | 1 December
The final round of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund has supported 17 projects that celebrate the state's natural landscape.
Round 4 of the fund saw $625,900 in grants distributed to support tourism operators, for projects ranging from new accommodation and equipment to vehicle purchases, tour diversification and marketing.
The successful projects included Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island, Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound, Escapegoat Adventures and SA eBikes.
The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund is now fully allocated and has supported a total of 63 projects worth almost $3.5 million in combined value.
