Now, more than ever we need support with our ability to cope. To deal with the constant Cognitive Fog and the feeling of Groundhog Day that we keep getting told is the new 'norm'. The Stress Science team are here to let you know this is not acceptable and we need to build up a higher set of skills to battle the risk of burnout.

Using the latest in non-invasive, medical-grade technology the Stress Science deliverables are built around gold standard research and stress markers to map the stress state of you, your team and your organisation. Using a blend of quantitative and qualitative measures and our Accelerated Stress Mastery program we can unlock the missing piece from the puzzle so you can delivery your best self and your best work.

"My original idea for the Innovation Challenge was to track cows. Through the Innovation challenge and the tools we were provided I kept revisiting my ideas and challenging myself to think bigger. Having a group that you are accountable to and the real world experience of pitching your ideas to a panel motives and focuses you to do better. The Innovation Challenge has accelerated my business from an idea on paper to a ready to launch product within a few months. The Alexandrina Council and Startup Adelaide teams were amazing and a pleasure to work with. If you have even just a small idea I recommend you sign up to the next round and watch your ideas come to life."

Activate Alexandrina is a 2-day adventure race with the intention of extending the Victor Harbor tourist attention into the regional areas of the Alexandrina area. This is done by creating a course that passes through towns and businesses as well as beautiful national parks. This adventure race will involve different checkpoints for competitors, and in order to complete each checkpoint, competitors will be required to interact with businesses and the landscape. They will also be required to change the style of movement they are completing (e.g. changing from running to kayaking)

"The Alexandrina Innovation Challenge has helped me formulate a business that suits my interests as well as enhances the region. I have been surrounded by other innovators who have pushed me to progress with my ideas, and mentors who have coached me through obstacles. I highly recommend any aspiring entrepreneur to participate in this program!"

The aim of Creating Mindful Lives is to invite leaders to open the door and embrace a positive new narrative to increase the mental health and resilience in their workplace with Frances Rennell's tailor-made Meditation and Mindfulness Program, providing simple yet effective prevention solutions.

The Creating Mindful Lives Business Suite of tools includes a 4-week in-house Meditation and Mindfulness Program and Priority Focusing for Leaders.  Together with other Multi-level services these will help and support already over-taxed leaders plan for and manage workplace stress to increase health, cohesion and wellbeing.

About Frances

As a Counsellor and Meditation Coach it is Frances' purpose to offer skills and tools that can uplift people and elevate self-awareness, emotional intelligence and ability to better connect to their full potential.  This will liberate mind and body from the negative stories and beliefs keeping people in stressful and unhealthy patterns in life.  Upskilling the ‘chinks in the armor’ to help others realize greater freedom of choice toward establishing the life they love is integral to her purpose and vision. Frances works with both Individuals and Businesses.

"The Innovation Challenge has been a wonderful opportunity extended by Alexandrina Council for me to develop my business idea which will hopefully help Alexandrina thrive and be a showcase for other regions.  It has pulled me out of my comfort zone to connect and engage with the local businesses and the wider community who are all working hard to support and create a vibrant place full of potential for people to live and be proud of.

Steph and Vic's new Allied Health Service Good Natured Connections, provide inclusive, nature-based therapeutic group programs.

There is a strong body of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of spending intentional time in nature for mental health, wellbeing and cognition. Steph and Vic developed Good Natured Connections to offer greater choice and control for people seeking therapeutic support who are already inspired by nature, or who want to try a new approach to improve their physical or mental health and wellbeing.

Their experienced and friendly Allied Health Practitioners from Social Work and Occupational Therapy backgrounds will support people to participate more fully in life by finding calm, exploring their potential and building connections through their experiences in natural environments. Good Natured Connections operate in private properties and public spaces in eastern Adelaide and Fleurieu regions of South Australia.

The programs are flexible and can be tailored to suit a variety of contexts. They will incorporate mindfulness, exercise and arts or play-based activities depending on the ages, abilities and health needs of our participants. For more comprehensive information, visit the Good Natured Connections website www.goodnaturedconnections.com.au.

"We really enjoyed the Innovation Challenge sessions, the presenters were very knowledgeable, supportive and motivating. The tools and information helped us to get our ideas together and understand the process of setting up a small business.  It was also wonderful to share the experience with such an interesting, diverse mix of innovators! Thanks to Alexandrina and everyone involved."

The Whipper Bar encourages a reduction in herbicide use for weed control which may appeal to small scale farmers, lifestyle and horse property owners who use low-powered compact tractors.

Ruth and her partner have a 50 acre Organic/Biodynamic property near Port Elliot.

Controlling weeds without resorting to the use of herbicides can be a battle. Ruth wanted to invent an implement that would help make their job of weed management easier. So she sought out the help of Kelly Engineering to build the first prototype. There are still improvements to make but Ruth feels The Whipper Bar is her contribution to a more regenerative way of caring for the land, helping address climate change by increasing soil humus and carbon sequestration, combatting soil erosion and creating resilience for soil biota.

"Having had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Alexandrina Innovation Challenge was a really great experience. Engaging with other local inventors, all with exceptional ideas, was a great comfort to me, we all had so much to learn but everyone was so supportive. 

The presenters guided us budding inventors through the four month program with inspirational advice and humour and introductions to mentors to build networks, communication and confidence skills. The Alexandrina Council Innovation Challenge team were exceptional, always available to help and support us through what, at times for me was a huge learning curve.""

Initially named, ‘The Local Food Co’, Fleurieu Hampers is a small, family-owned business that prides itself on sourcing all hamper products from the local Fleurieu region. Founder, Fiona has an immense passion for locally grown and produced food and wine that supports the region and community.

Fleurieu Hampers continues this support through local charities, sporting clubs and numerous businesses in the area, which is something that she not only wants to do, but believes is an essential part of doing business. Supporting local businesses is integral to the growth of the small regional area and the longevity of industries that surrounds.

Fleurieu Hampers prides themselves on producing beautifully presented, delicious collections of food and wine, which are carefully curated into gift hampers.

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