Latest news with #Renmark
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Farmers bet on nutritionally rich jujubes becoming next food trend
Farmers are planting large numbers of jujube trees in the hope that the little-known fruit becomes the next health food phenomenon, following in the footsteps of avocados. Producers are investing millions of dollars growing the fruit, despite many people in the country having never tasted or heard of it. Also known as Chinese dates, jujubes have been grown in Asia for thousands of years. They are a common part of diets and traditional medicine in Asian cultures partly due to their health benefits. A study investigating jujubes found the fruit was a functional food, boasting nutritional values of antioxidants, fibre, and minerals like magnesium and calcium. "This fruit has been used for centuries, especially in tea in China and Egypt." Jujubes are often compared to a small apple, crisp with a sweet, distinct flavour. So, why would farmers take the gamble to grow a fruit that's still a mystery to many? Phuong Cao and her mother Thi Tran have been growing thousands of jujube trees over the past decade on their family farm in South Australia's Renmark. "We planted wine grapes and then the wine grape market went down, so we had to diversify and found jujubes," Ms Cao said. While growing jujubes in a niche market came with its challenges, Ms Cao appreciated the unique flavours and versatile use of the fruit. "It's juicy, sweet and crunchy and has got its distinct taste," she said. For one of the industry's pioneering growers Ben Waddelow, it was the horticultural challenge that attracted him to growing jujubes. "It was something new and different. It was hard to grow, and I needed to reinvent the grafting and propagation techniques," Mr Waddelow said. His passion for the fruit, however, first started with a school project in year 12, when he was late to class and had been given the letter Z to research a plant species. Since then, he has been part of an innovative group of growers who brought more than 40 different varieties to Australia about two decades ago. Besides being enjoyed as a fresh fruit, Mr Waddelow said there was also potential for value-added products such as jujube vinegar and the various foods it was used in across Asia. It's estimated there are about 60 jujube growers cultivating 50,000 trees in Australia, according to AgriFutures Australia data. Large expansions have been taking place, with horticulture companies like Seeka planning to plant tens of thousands of trees. Author of the Australia Jujube 2030 Strategic Blueprint Trevor Ranford saw opportunities in the fruit's export possibilities and the varied climatic areas jujubes could be grown in. Some of the major challenges he identified though were the industry "fragmentation" and lack of consumer knowledge about the fruit. "It's a matter of building volume of people and produce but also getting the industry to work together," he said. South Australian Jujube Growers' Association deputy chair Jody Miltenoff said a national body was needed to establish export markets and build effective communication programs. "For the industry to move forward, it needs to be a united front because the beauty of our jujubes going into the Asian market is we are counter-seasonal," Mr Miltenoff said. He explained that while some growers were already exporting to Hong Kong and Singapore, a concerted effort could lead to opening exports to Vietnam and South Korea. One industry that's grown from the "backyard" to large-scale commercial production is Australia's avocados. Once a fruit consumers didn't pay much attention to, it smashed its way into people's hearts across the globe. Four decades on, it's valued at $589 million. In Australia alone, production tripled in the past decade, from 48,715 tonnes in 2013/2014 to 150,913 tonnes in 2023/2024, according to Avocados Australia data. Riverland avocado grower Sarah Tucker-Boehm and her husband Aaron Boehm are reaping the benefits of her in-laws' foresight to plant the emerging crop in the 1980s. While they started with one 10-acre (4-hectare) parcel, Mark and Dawn Boehm's business has grown to eight parcels with more than 5,200 avocado trees. She described it as an "educated gamble" as people's interest in health and fitness grew, and avocados were seen as a healthy fruit. "Avocados are full of good fats and nutrients. It's got more potassium than bananas," Ms Tucker-Boehm said. While the industry was battling a glut in recent years, which led to lower prices, she said working with the national body Avocados Australia was essential. "They are working on increasing avocado consumption and expanding export markets." Ms Tucker-Boehm, also known as the Avo Farmers Wife on social media, has been at the forefront of providing consumers with produce knowledge. She saw similar potential for Australia's emerging jujube industry due to the fruit's health benefits.
ABC News
25-06-2025
- ABC News
Riverland's St Francis of Assisi College warns of inappropriate Snapchat group
A South Australian high school has advised parents to talk to their children about a social media group chat "involving many" students containing images that could be used to "extort or exploit a young person". In a letter to parents of year 8 students at St Francis of Assisi College in Renmark the school said it had been made aware of a "large chat group via Snapchat". "We have been made aware that some of the images being shared through this Snapchat group could be classified as inappropriate and may be used to extort or exploit a young person," the letter said. The letter, which has been seen by the ABC, said it was likely there were more chat groups on other social media platforms and encouraged families to "play an active role in the online activities" of their children. "Additionally, families and students are encouraged to discuss the legal obligations of interacting in chat groups and on social media sites as some incidents can be investigated by police," the letter said. The school confirmed the letter was sent at the start of the school year. The college advised parents to instruct their children to "exit these groups" and said it was important to bring social media interactions "back to the same set of values and expectations as face-to-face interactions". About 170 students in years 7 to 10 were enrolled at the school last year, including approximately 50 in year 8, according to its annual report. The letter, which noted that social media companies had a "general requirement" for users to be 13 years of age or older, was sent out to parents months after Australia passed world-leading social media laws. St Francis of Assisi principal Nathan Hayes said the letter was not sent in "response to specific messages or content" but rather as part of a "proactive approach" to providing information about appropriate social media use. "The letter was intended to outline to parents what can happen and what to be aware of when holding conversations with their children," he said. State Education Minister Blair Boyer said the content raised in the letter was "concerning" but praised the school for its response. "I think it's great to see schools sending communications on things like this," he said. "It's hard for schools to do, because it is bringing to light something that is unsavoury that might have happened at the school, and there's always implications for a school and their reputation when that happens." The federal social media reforms, which will ban people younger than 16 from accessing some online platforms including Snapchat, were informed by a review undertaken by the SA government as part of its own draft laws. The legislation is expected to take effect in December and will require all Australians to demonstrate they are 16 or older when logging in to most major platforms. Mr Boyer said part of the intention of the ban was to prevent instances such as the one raised in the letter sent by St Francis of Assisi. "I would say that this case we're talking about here is a very good example of exactly what the legislation is trying to get at," Mr Boyer said. Neil Tippett, a lecturer in learning science and development at the University of SA Education Futures, said there were positives and negatives regarding social media use among young people. He said bans were "simplistic" and not the answer "in isolation" to address online safety concerns. "We need to have all this wraparound support and we need to be looking at what parents are doing, how we can support parents to engage with their children and talk about responsible social media usage," Dr Tippett said. "How can we support the children in schools to be using social media in a fair way — a way that supports them? And we need to look at the providers themselves. "We need to put some of this back on them and they need to take some responsibility about how their users are using their platforms responsibly." Mr Boyer said the ban would not be the "silver bullet" but was an important step in addressing a "complex" problem.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Julie Kimberley
Julie Kimberley started working for the ABC in 1999. She has worked across multiple areas of the ABC including Sport, Drama and TV but is most passionate about her work with both Radio National and Local Radio. In 2022 she joined the team at ABC Riverland at the Renmark studios and has taken on the post of Saturday Presenter and Weekday Producer. Julie is passionate about the Riverland and has really loved getting to know the community and all that makes this unique landscape tick. First hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches Julie says she could never have imagined calling the Mighty Murray River her home and backyard. She would love for you to join her on Saturday mornings via the ABC Listen App or tune in when in the area to 1062AM.
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
LQWD Technologies Retains Renmark Financial Communications
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2025) - LQWD Technologies Corp. (TSXV: LQWD) (OTCQX: LQWDF) (" LQWD" or the " Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Renmark Financial Communications Inc. (" Renmark") to provide investor relations services to the Company (the " Services"). In consideration for the Services, and subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange, Renmark will be paid C$7,000 per month, starting June 1, 2025. The Services have an initial term of seven months ending December 31, 2025, and may be extended on a monthly basis thereafter. Renmark does not have any direct or indirect interest in LQWD, or its securities, nor any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Founded in 1999, Renmark is a privately held full-service investor relations firm, located in Atlanta, New York, Toronto and Montreal. For over 25 years, Renmark has provided services in investor relations, media relations, and web development representing small, medium, and large cap public companies listed on all major North American exchanges. With the largest roadshow footprint in North America, Renmark hosts a multitude of live streaming Virtual Non-Deal Roadshows across North America and Europe. About LQWD Technologies Corp. Canada's Bitcoin treasury strategy, LQWD Technologies is purpose built for the Bitcoin Lightning era. We are at the forefront of enabling fee-based transactions at scale on Lightning Network. For more information, please visit LQWD's corporate presentation or connect with the Company's Lightning Network nodes in real time. For more information, please visit LQWD's corporate presentation and connect with the Company's Lightning Network nodes in real time. For further information: Ashley Garnot, Director Phone: 1.604.669.0912 Email: ashley@ Website: X: @LQWDTech Forward-Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Enertopia Corporation to Participate in Renmark's Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series On, Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 20, 2025) - Enertopia Corporation (CSE: ENRT) (OTCQB: ENRT), announced today that they will be participating in Renmark Financial Communications Inc.'s live Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series to discuss its latest investor presentation on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM PDT. - Enertopia Corporation welcomes stakeholders, investors, and other individual followers to register and attend this live event. The presentation will feature Robert McAllister, Chief Executive Officer. Topics to be covered will include the latest investor presentation followed by a live Q&A. Investors interested in participating in this event will need to register using the link below. As a reminder, registration for the live event may be limited but access to the replay after the event will be on The Company's Investor website. REGISTER HERE: Tuesday, May 20, 2025: To ensure smooth connectivity, please access this link using the latest version of Google Chrome. About Enertopia Corporation Enertopia Corp. defines itself as an Energy Solutions Company focused on modern technology through a combination of our intellectual property patents in green technologies to build shareholder value. Enertopia shares are quoted in the United States and Canada under ticker symbol ENRT. About Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Founded in 1999, Renmark is a leading privately held full-service investor relations firm, located in Atlanta, New York, Toronto and Montreal. For the past 25 years, Renmark has provided services in investor relations, media relations and web development representing small, medium and large cap public companies listed on all major North American exchanges. On a daily basis our team of professionals enhance our client's visibility within the retail market space as corporate communicators. With the largest roadshow footprint in North America, and a state-of-the-art media studio, we host a multitude of live streaming Virtual Non-Deal Roadshows across North America and Europe. CONTACT: Enertopia CorporationRobert McAllister, Chief Executive Officer: mcallister@ Renmark Financial Communications Conable: pconable@ (416) 644-2020 or (514) To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
