The businesses, educators, government employees, students and not for profits who attended now save their sights set on a brighter digital future, thanks to this initative of the City of Salisbury and the Salisbury Business and Export Centre.

Special guest Mark Pesce’s thought-provoking keynote on the theme of “Mobile, Social, Flexible” entertained the participants and delivered some important messages:

• businesses need to make sure their websites are mobile friendly FIRST
• businesses must embrace the mobile technology revolutio, and
• if businesses are not mobile “they don’t exist”.

Mark Pesce also told his eager audience that businesses must also listen to what people are saying. “Humility and authenticity are the building blocks for social marketing,” he said, holding up #qantasluxury as an #epicfail in this department.

Audrey Thomas from Ajile Focus continued the high quality of  presentations with an honest account of how her reluctance to embrace technology has given way integrating technology into the core processes of her business. She shared how tools like WordPress, Mail Chimp and Facebook, have enabled her to more communicate and connect with her customers more easily and effectively.

Alison Kershaw provided an impassioned and entertaining look at the DFEEST ForwardIT, a great tool for encouraging digital literacy in schools, communities and businesses. Alison showed some troubling statistics regarding internet use in Australia amongst the elderly, showing that there’s a need for businesses and government organisations to take a closer look at how they present material online to be more inclusive and accessible.

The First Digital Literacy Forum was a remarkable success with many conversations and connections resulting from the presentations and networking opportunities. The City of Salisbury will continue to support businesses through events, workshops and mentoring delivered by the Salisbury Business and Export Centre, and with the NBN rolling out in many areas in the next three years the digital agenda will remain at the fore of this support.

Follow @CityOfSalisbury and @Salisburybec to stay in touch with what’s happening in the City of Salisbury.

You can also follow @mpesce, @AjileFocus and @AdelsAlison on Twitter!

Here’s a small sample of the #digilit2012 chatter on Facebook:

The Westfield Marion VIP Shopping Party (9am – 9pm) is set to be the toast of Autumn/Winter season as Adelaide shoppers are able to take advantage of over 95 exclusive offers, including incredible 0ne day only offers from Westfield Marion’s retailers like Kookai, Mimco, Oroton, Witchery, Blue Illusion, Bed Bath N Table, Kikki K and Cotton On.

“The VIP Shopping Party is a must-see, must-do event filled with family-friendly entertainment and exclusive offers, Centre Manager Charlie Rimmer said. “Make a day or night of it with your friends and shop for gifts for loved ones… or just yourself! This is all about making shopping more rewarding and providing loyalty offers to our Westfield members.”

Keep a look out for guest appearances from much-loved celebrities and lots of special treats:

• television chefs Leigh from My Kitchen Rules and Michael from Masterchef will be preparing and cooking delicious dishes for the crowd at 6.30pm and 7.30pm
• you can try your hand at a game of croquet in the Chocolate Croquet Garden to be in the running to win a $500 Westfield Gift Card, from 5pm
• beauty experts will be on-hand to provide express beauty pampering and everyday make-up advice from 5pm
• step back in time and have your photo taken in the Old Hollywood Glamour Photo Booth from 5pm
• try your luck at the Ruby Slipper Wall – if the shoe fits it’s yours to keep! Simply spend $100 or more for your chance to enter
• try Belvedere’s famous oiyster shot and sip on Moet & Chandon drink specials at Verve Bar & Kitchen from 8.30-9.30pm, and
• tingle your tastebuds with a complimentary glass of Bickfords at their Old Style Soda Stand, from 10:00am.

Westfield Marion’s 2012 VIP Shopping Party will be held on Thursday May 17, 9am to 9pm.
Register now by emailing marionfashion@au.westfield.com. Registrations close 3pm Monday May 14th 2012!
Pre-registered VIPs can enter from 5pm via the red carpet entrance on Level 1, Medicare Mall.

For more information, visit www.westfield.com.au/marion.

You can also follow Westfield Marion on Facebook.

Some of the 56 artists involved were also part the very first Biennial in 2000 and this year an ever expanding group of young and established sculptors, including three from interstate, joined in. Each responded in a unique way to the theme of ’Homage to Nature’.

Many artists constructed their artworks using collected natural materials found on this Adelaide Hills bush site. Others construct works in their studio, ready for installation. Some feature the use of recycled industrial and rural discards to support the exhibition theme.

The artist’s included some of South Australia’s most awarded for public art works such as Pamela Kouwenhoven, Greg Johns, David Kerr, Anton Hart and Karin Genoff. Other established artists include Max Lyle, Egbert Wellman, Kon Heyer, Gerry King, John Wood, Liz Williams and Ron Rowe.

The Cedars is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm on Heysen Road,
 Hahndorf.

You can find out more information on the Heysen Sculpture Biennial’s website and don’t forget to like their Facebook Page.

Here are some of the amazing works of art still on site. Photos by Daniel Cazzolato.

Shoot by Tom Thomson, Bronze, 200cm x 100cm x 100cm

The Secret Life of Trees by John Wood. Steel, wood, resin Three elements 300cm x 7.5cm

What next? by Helen Printer. Macrocarpa cyprus , bronze, found objects 220cm x 100cm x 130cm

Out of the Water - version 2 by Ron Rowe. Hebel stone, granite rocks, paint 300cm x 270cm x 100cm

Convocation by David Suter. Fibre reinforced concrete spheres. 50cm, 70cm, 80cm, 110cm, 150cm diameters.

Here’s a Youtube video for the 2012 Heysen Sculpture Biennial featuring more works from the exhibition:

During years of travelling and moving for work, the 31-year-old social entrepreneur often found herself looking for events in the areas she was visiting. Recently she  launched an innovative website – www.jedo.me – to cater to this need, and connect communities around Australia.

Free and easy to use, Jedo is a second-generation events sharing platform that helps people find, share and host events. Members are notified when events are on that fit their interests, and can see at a glance what’s going on in the upcoming week for their local area. Jedo helps them organise outings with friends, and buy tickets for events they discover.

Urquhart explains that with Jedo, “as I plan my weekend with my family, I see quickly all of the events that are on near me. I can check out any of the hundreds of free events happening each week for me to do with the kids, buy cheap last-minute tickets, or find something especially for me, like a book club…”

Jedo allows the members to create and promote their own events too, and social media integration makes it easy for everyone to share what’s happening with their friends.

Already some of Adelaide’s major event holders and organisers like the Thebarton Theatre and Holden Street Theatres, and ticketing outlet VenueTix, have media-rich event listings on the site and find that Jedo gets them seen more often across social networks like Facebook. Other hosts, including Conservation Volunteers Australia and The Shaper Group, promote events that reflect the site’s social conscience.

“This is about fostering connectivity: we help people connect with their local communities and the communities of people that share common interests,” Urquart says.

Jedo was launched in Melbourne in September 2011 with backing of Nick Reade, General Manager, Small Business Banking at ANZ Bank, who saw the pitch in an angel investment network. “I see a lot of businesses and new start ups in my role, but Jedo really appealed to me. It is simple but very innovative with smart people behind it. I wanted to get involved,” he said.

The online community has its own mind; after being launched in Melbourne in late October, Jedo sprung up in Adelaide when South Australians began signing up and posting events, and events are now appearing for Queensland and Sydney.

The site also provides some community benefits, because all of it’s promotional tools and services are completely free for events that are free to attend. “For us to be successful, we need to have a positive impact”, Urquhart says.

Keep up to date with what’s happening in Adelaide with Jedo.

Go to www.jedo.me today and sign up. It’s easy!

You can also keep up to date with Jedo on Facebook
and follow @Jedo_Me on Twitter.

This year’s Million Paws Walk is on Sunday May 20 in Adelaide’s Elder Park, and South Australians are being urged to support animals in need by paw-ticipating in the RSPCA’s biggest fundraising drive.

The event is shaping up to be another “must do” on dog lovers’ social calendars, with up to 6,000 people, and their pooches, expected to walk along the Torrens.

Special guests include some of the RSPCA’s long term shelter dogs who will be hoping to find their paw-fect match, and there will be live entertainment, celebrities, pet advice, stalls and other exciting activities for the whole family.

RSPCA (SA) Media and Campaigns Manager Jennifer Salter said that registrations are open now.

“While this is a fun day for the whole family, the Million Paws Walk has a serious side, which is raising vital funds for the RSPCA,” she said. “With that in mind, our message this year is that you don’t have to own a dog or pound the pavement to contribute towards animal welfare.”

“You can support the RSPCA and this fantastic event by fundraising or sponsoring a dog involved.”

In 2011, the Million Paws Walk raised $128,341 for South Australian animals in need and with about only 10% of the RSPCA’s funding coming from Government, events like this are vital to support the society’s activities. In 2010-11, the RSPCA’s Operations Team responded to almost 5000 reports of alleged cruelty or requests for assistance for injured animals. During this time we cared for 9,302 animals in our shelters.

Visit the Million Paws Walk website to:

• Register for the walk
• Build an online fundraising page and start raising funds
• Sponsor a friend
• Purchase official Million Paws Walk merchandise, or
• Make a tax deductible donation to the RSPCA

Hurry! Early bird registration prices end on Thursday 10th May.

You can join the Million Paws Walk 2012 event on Facebook
and like the RSPCA South Australia on Facebook too.

Here’s the official 2012 Million Paws Walk television ad on Youtube:

      The real Schneider's Alley in Stonyfell

A spooky walkway and park in Stonyfell are attracting more night-time visitors than ever since a Youtube video was posted recently, and some local residents aren’t happy.

The benefits to the local economy (surely these nocturnal tourists are spending money at local shops and the Feathers Hotel) aren’t enough to make up for the screams of terror heard in the dead of night that don’t let Stonyfellas and Stonyfillies sleep through.

Inaccurate reporting by Adelaide media is likely to exacerbate the problem, with reports on Adelaide Now and in other News Corporation media telling people that the Michael Perry Reserve is also known as Schneider’s Alley.

In fact it’s Andrews Walk that is the alley in question and it’s that claustrophobic route and nearby Clifton Manor that are the purported sites of previous ghostly goings-on.

Stories of a haunting at Clifton Manor by former owner Dr Michael Schneider have been around for years, but as aresident of the area, I can report that most of the paranormal activity after dark can be attributed to the antics of randy koalas and possums.

You can watch the viral video that’s to blame for the surge is troublesome teen activity below, but beware, you may get more than you bargained for… We’d love to read about your comments about paranormal experiences in Adelaide!

“Some of our Friends”, an exhibition of contemporary art at the Regency Medical Clinic, and its new Allied Health Suite, will be opened this Sunday 6th May by Mr Nigel Relph, Pro Vice Chancellor: International & Development at UniSA.

Scroll down to read about three of the
artists and see artworks from the exhibition.

The exhibition, presented by the Friends of the South Australian School of Art (SASA), features 48 works by 27 artists, and will be on display to the general public in the waiting rooms and consulting areas from Monday 7th May until the 10th June 2012.

The artists are Hugh Adamson, Bente Andermahr, Bev Bills, Michael Bryant, Brian Budgen, Heather Clegg, Penny Choate, Julie Corfe, Tony Corso, Jack Condous, Irma Denk, Gloria Goddard, Kon Heyer, Tess Leo, Margaret Lillywhite, Uta Mooney, Donald Richardson, Philippa Roberts, Lyn Robins, Peter Schulz, Nicola Semmens, Steve Smart, Avis Smith, Tamra Stefanski, Helen Taylor, Vikki Waller and Liz Wauchope.

Jack Condous, President of the Friends of SASA, said there is no doubt that the patients have  benefited from the addition of artworks from previous exhibitions to the Regency Medical Clinic. And students studying at the South Australian School of Art also benefit.

“A 25% commission is charged on all works sold,” Mr Condous said. “That goes towards a scholarship program run by the Friends of SASA, in conjunction with the Marketing and Development Unit of the University of SA, supporting students who are studying in a variety of the visual arts areas at the school. So far the Friends of SASA Board has raised and donated $6000 for this purpose.”

The Friends of SASA and the Regency Medical Clinic invite members of the public to the opening, and hope to have a good crowd who will consider purchasing artworks to give the artists the “bread and butter” they need to survive, and assist the scholarship programme.

Click here for your invitation, which was designed by Bente Andermahr with art works by Nicola Semmens. Click here for a list of exhibiting artists, works and prices.

The exhibition opening runs from 3 – 5pm at the
Regency Medical Clinic, 517 Regency Road, Sefton Park
Drinks and nibbles will be served.

About three of the artists…

'The getting of wisdom... with a bit of luck!' by Nicola Semmens

Nicola Semmens

Nicola Semmens is looking forward to exhibiting with the Friends of SASA for the exhibition ‘Some of our Friends’ as it presents another opportunity to show her work and to gain more public exposure.  She is showing two paintings called ‘ The rough end of the…’ and ‘The getting of wisdom… with a bit of luck!’, shown above.

Nicola’s work can be viewed on the Art Images website.  She paints in the genre of still life and presents hyper-realistic images of everyday and kitsch objects, childrens toys, games, books and old suitcases to create arresting visual narratives.

“I find the process of painting for me is often a serendipitous one, it is both a trial and error,” Nicola says. “It is part of a process of learning and making choices which are sometimes happy accidents.”

Nicola has two exhibitions during SALA week, one is at Art Images Gallery, based on a Margaret Olly theme, and the other one at the Adelaide Botanic Garden shop, centred around heirloom fruit and vegetables.

'Doing it Hard' by Liz Wauchope

Liz Wauchope

Liz Wauchope is a versatile artist who has been painting and printing on silk, and making garments and accessories, since the early 1980′s.  As she was born and raised in Alice Springs, so her inspiration often comes from the shapes and colours of the Central Australian desert.

Liz goes back to Alice Springs several times each year. The image “Doing it Hard” which appears above, and is on show at the exhibition, was taken in the Finke River, near Hermannsburg where Albert Namatjira lived and painted.

“I took it last year in September when Alice Springs and environs were surrounded by bushfires, and although it is the middle of the day the light was hazy with smoke,” Liz said. “The photo is reminiscent of both Namatjira’s and Hans Heysen’s watercolours, but the people in the creek bed remind us of the harsh realities of life in the central desert areas.”

As a foil or contrast to this picture and the idea of hardship, Liz has also included in the exhibition an image of her husband “Taking it Easy” in the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna, in the Flinders Ranges. Both works are digital photos printed as a giclee (an archival inkjet print) on German etching paper.

Liz Wauchope’s skills in graphic design, printmaking and ceramics are used to create digital images what are often complemented by a related set of slip cast ceramic vessels, and new designs and techniques on textiles.

Liz has participated in over 50 exhibitions and shows. She is a frequent participant in group and solo exhibitions at T’Arts Collective, in Gays Arcade, Adelaide Arcade.

'Dancer 5' by Hugh Adamson

Hugh Adamson

The Regency Medical Clinic bought a large art work by Hugh Adamson at the opening of their refurbished building last year, which now hangs in the front office of the centre.

Two of Hugh’s works feature in the “Some of our Friends” exhibition. They are the first paintings in a series he is producing with a view to an exhibition around Adelaide Fringe time next year.

With the theme “weightless” in mind, Hugh was given permission to sit in on rehearsal/training at the Australian Dance Theatre and draw the dancers in action.

“I am taking those drawings and adapting them into paintings,” Hugh said, “And the ADT have shown some interest in me exhibiting at the same time as they are performing.”

“Exhibiting with Friends of SASA is an excellent opportunity to show work which may be new and untried in other arenas. So, in particular, the work entitled Dancer 5 is more than just decorative, should elicit a response from the viewer and hopefully will be typical of a whole series to come. The Friends are knowledgeable about art and I am as interested in their reaction as much as in the reaction of the general public or people who might consider buying.”

To see more of Hugh’s work check his website: www.desktopimageadelaide.com/hughadamson-home.html

About the Friends of the South Australian School of Art (SASA)

The Friends of the South Australian School of Art (SASA) aim to promote the work, history, and development of the South Australian School of Art, using the outstanding expertise, experience and collegial nature of its past and present scholars and staff.

The Friends of SASA was first launched at the University of South Australia on 21st August, 2008. The Fourth Annual General Meeting of the Friends of SASA was held on August 25th, 2011.

You can find the The Friends of SASA at www.friendsasa.com and you can like their Facebook Page.

The inaugural Startup Weekend Adelaide focused on creating viable and scalable web or mobile applications. At the end of March 2012, 70 keen entrepreneurs, software developers, designers and business people packed the Adelaide Microsoft Offices to pitch 46 startup ideas and create 15 enterprises by the end of the weekend.

The following article by Lisa Banks, a version of which first appeared on her blog, at unrelentingspark.wordpress.com, look at three of the event’s success stories.

An interactive learning platform for smartphones, an online portal for entertainers, and a cloud based electronic signature company may sound like they have nothing in common. But for the people behind 360 Magic, EventVolt and KSign, becoming a startup would have been impossible without the help of the recent Startup Weekend Adelaide.

360 Magic

Taking advantage of smartphones as a learning device, the 360 Magic team walked away with first prize at the first ever Startup Weekend to hit South Australia, and they are now on the road to startup success thanks to the weekend, with the group recently moving into an office.

“Our concept was an interactive platform for mobile devices that enhances the learning experience of technically difficult skills and arts, such as magic,” 360 Magic team member, Vinh Giang said. “By providing tutorials with multiple angles at once, the user is able to move beyond merely viewing the lesson from a single plane, to really being able to see the execution from many perspectives.”

“After winning Startup Weekend, we decided to sit down and look at our business a lot more seriously,” Giang explains. “We have decided that we are now at the point where we will all be going part time in our regular jobs so that we can work full time on our business.”

Event Volt

Nathan Hockley, from second place winner EventVolt said the team has continued to flourish in the days since the Startup Weekend event was held, despite only having 54 hours to develop a business concept from the ground up.

“It was quite a hectic time,” Hockley said. “Startup Weekend has a 54 hour time span for a reason – it is designed for you and your team to go through a range of emotions and situations in a short period.

“In the early stages we will be concentrating on launching to those wanting to hire musicians, bands and DJs, from venues such as pubs, clubs, cafés and restaurants, plus those planning events such as birthdays, weddings and other parties and from there we will look to expand into other areas.”

Hockley says EventVolt was created as a way for event entertainers and service providers to connect and trade services; something that has been lacking from Adelaide’s online community.

When asked what advice his team have for those contemplating entering next year’s Startup Weekend Adelaide event, Hockley said taking the plunge and committing yourself to entering was the first big step.

“If you have an idea you’re thinking about pitching, don’t think about it, just do it,” Hockley said. “I was hesitant to pitch my idea but finally told myself that I had to do it otherwise I’d regret it; I ended up being the final person up and was very happy once I’d gotten up there.”

KSign

Mitchell Villani from third place winner KSign agrees that taking the plunge is the best advice he has for those people considering taking place in the next Startup Weekend.

“I went to the event not planning on giving a pitch because I didn’t have one, but with the support of a friend I gave it a shot with just an idea in my head and here I am now; a third prize winner,” Villani said of the experience.

“I highly encourage everyone to attend Startup Weekend because it takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes yourself into action; too many of us wait for the situation or idea to be perfect before taking action, but let me tell you from experience: perfection equals paralysis.”

Villani said the idea for KSign came from a frustrating experience a team member faced during his day job as a lawyer.

“The original idea came from working within the commercial environs, where we had to get agreements signed by ourselves and our clients,” he said. “From this concept, we developed KSign; a cloud based software solution that allows you to upload your agreements online. Once uploaded and customised, KSign then notifies the other party that there is a document need agreeing to.”

The next steps for the team at KSign are to create and test a number of prototypes, as well as look to external sources for additional resources.

“We have all agreed to start this business using a lean startup approach and what I hope to see completed in the next few months using the current resources we have is a built and tried prototype of KSign, ” Villani said. “Resources that we will be seeking are expertise in software security and for someone to assist our head developer Rob in making the prototype.”

About Startup Weekend Adelaide

Startup Weekend Adelaide has put Adelaide on the map as the hub for innovation in Australia.

Ken Saman, a mentor and VP Operations for Adelaide based YourAmigo explained: “The event produced some truly innovative businesses and confirmed once again that Adelaide is emerging as one of best places in the world to build a company.”

A team of just under 30 world class mentors, speakers and pitch judges with backgrounds in entrepreneurship, commercialisation and venture capital took part in the weekend. Teams spent the weekend using the Lean Startup Methodology for validating their ideas and building a Minimal Viable Product.

Over $23,500 worth of prizes from sponsors such as Innovate SA, Piper Alderman, BDO, Google Australia, S.A. Angels and ANZ Innovyz Start were given to teams that best showed viable business models, customer validation and idea execution.

With the overwhelming response from this year’s Startup Weekend Adelaide, organisers Orren Prunckun and David Truong plan to hold more practical and innovative events for other industries outside of web and mobile apps. Follow @startupADL on Twitter and visit the @Startup Weekend Adelaide page on Facebook.

Now there’s a new way that we can all help to raise more than $2 million for better treatment and cures, with registrations now open for go the distance.

This new annual community fundraising initiative was officially launched at the National Wine Centre on Friday 27th April with the help of ambassador, former Olympian Amber Halliday.

Amber Halliday said she was proud to be associated with such a worthwhile cause, which also promotes healthy active lifestyles.

“This event is open to anyone no matter what their age or fitness level,” Amber said. “I encourage anyone who has been affected by heart disease or cancer, either directly or indirectly, to take up the challenge and go the distance for this fantastic cause.”

Participants are required to raise a minimum of $1,500 with the money raised going towards the research programs supported by four South Australian charities who have joined forces for this fundraising drive: the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, Heart Foundation, Leukaemia Foundation Australia and Little Heroes Foundation.

To register, go to www.gothedistance.org.au and follow the step-by-step guide on how to become a ‘Challenger’. It costs $50 to register and to then to be eligible to compete in the physical challenge, participants must raise a minimum of $1,500 as an individual or individuals in a team. Families are required to raise a total of $3,000.

Of course, anyone can register as a volunteer or help by supporting a challenger or making a donation!

The four charities will  support fundraisers to achieve their fundraising target by providing online resources, including tips and ideas in our Fundraising Toolkit, and by conducting information sessions.

The challenge will culminate in a walk, ride and run event on Sunday 28th October. Starting and finishing at West Beach, participants can choose their physical challenge – a 7km or 21.1km run (half marathon), 7km walk or a 30km, 50km or 107km bike ride, which travels along the coast and throughout the Adelaide Hills.

go the distance is proudly sponsored by Foodland, Health Partners, Channel 7 and The Advertiser. For more information follow @GoTheDistanceSA on Twitter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gothedistanceadelaide or go to www.gothedistance.org.au.

Mark said he is “very excited to be able to explore digital literacy in the age of hyperconnectivity with South Australians”. Mark is currently serialising his book ‘The Next Billion Seconds’ (co-written with Robert Tercek) by releasing 100 chapters periodically on the website. Several of the book’s themes are tightly linked with the event theme, ‘Presenting Yourself Online’ and Mark’s presentation will likely prove to be an interesting discussion opener if his recent visit to Adelaide to present at the Royal Institute is anything to go by.

Two local ladies are also on the bill bringing a local flavour to the event. Audrey Thomas from Ajile Focus will be discussing her online experiences and successful use of digital tools to support her business and Alison Kershaw will be showcasing the successes of the DFEEST website and mobile application ForwardIT. All three speakers will come together in a panel discussion providing an opportunity for audience participation and this will be followed by drinks and canapés to round off the event.

Digital Literacy is a hot topic for businesses in the northern Adelaide region with the National Broadband Network (NBN) stage two rollout high speed broadband fibre available to many businesses and homes in the cities of Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully and Prospect within a year.

Being held at Innovation House in Mawson Lakes on May 3rd, the ‘2012 Digital Literacy Forum: Presenting Yourself Online’ is targeted at business owners, HR professionals, educators and job seekers. For a short time you can use the promotional code ‘early bird’ to get $25 off the ticket price. Register online.

Search for the #digilit2012 hashtag to keep track of what’s happening at the event, and follow @CityOfSalisbury, @Salisburybec and @mpesce.