This year’s Family Business Insights SA/NT Conference brought together the FBA community for a day of valuable learning and connection with both new and familiar members.
The event opened with Hon. Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Small and Family Business, “I’m incredibly proud to be Australia’s first Minister for Family Business. I asked the Premier to include it in my title because I wanted to make sure this sector had a seat at the cabinet table.”
Minister Michaels spoke about the importance of succession planning, “Succession planning is one of the biggest challenges you will face in your business, and it’s also one of the most important things to get right.”
Finally, she shared updates on current initiatives and the support available to the family business sector across South Australia.
FBA CEO, Catherine Sayer, addressed the room, providing a business update and reinforced the impact of the family business sector, which represents 70% of all Australian businesses.
Our first keynote speaker, Michael Stillwell, explored the realities of selling their family business, Stillwell Motor Group, and the subsequent shift to managing an investment portfolio. In conversation with facilitator Catherine Sayer, the pair had a great energy and an engaging back-and-forth which really added to the session. Micheal spoke candidly, and with genuine passion, about engaging the third generation early, sharing 10 key learnings with the audience:
- Be open to take advantage of opportunities.
- Have absolute clarity on the business.
- Be open and transparent with stakeholders.
- If you’ve got a square peg in a round hole, do something about it.
- Without good systems in place, it’s not going to work.
- Know where your revenue is coming from.
- Share in the value of sharing the workplace experiences.
- Be prepared for succession.
- Work hard to keep the whole family involved.
- Invest in future generations.
Next up, Emma Daly, Chief Strategy and Risk Officer for Van Schaik’s Bio Gro, Anna Hurly, Publican from Hurley Hotel Group, and Peter Siebels, Non-Executive Director and Advisor, joined a panel discussion on governance and generational transition. Together, they unpacked the idea that succession is not a single event, but a continuous journey. “Succession isn’t a start and finish; it’s ongoing,” said Anna. “Even when you think you’re at a finish point, families change.” Anna reflected on her own mindset shift from seeking the “perfect” governance structure to embracing gradual, consistent progress.
Emma reinforced the importance of early and consistent communication in governance planning, “Communicating early is definitely the key.” At the conclusion of the session, Peter acknowledged their parents who were in the room, recognising their invaluable role in fostering strong female leadership, which was met with warm applause.
In the third session, Patrycja Slawuta, Founder of SelfHackathon and Unlab, spoke about topics that can seem overwhelming or challenging for many - boundaries, love, money, aging, health, addiction, succession, roles and responsibilities. Patrycja emphasised the need to continue to connect, communicate and learn in family business, "families who learn together stay together." She gave the audience a simple tool to help with this learning, saying, "If you want to have better conversations, you need to ask better questions." Tackling family conflict and difficult conversations, Patrycja shone a positive light on having disagreements and opening that dialogue, “those [difficult] conversations make the relationship.”
So how do we know when conflict is positive for the relationship and when it is too much? According to the latest research, healthy family relationships have a ratio of 5 positive interactions to 1 negative one. This will keep a family healthy in times of conflict. Simplifying people's needs in times of conflict and during difficult conversations, Patrycja explained that in her experience, “People want to hear thank you, I’m sorry, and I love you.”
Download: Content Slides from Patrycja Slawuta
The day concluded with James McGill, Chatham Capital, facilitating a conversation with Anastasia and Jack Tomich of Tomich Wines. The pair shared their forward-thinking approach to succession planning, “Now is the time to have the conversations about what is the best future plan for the company.”
Jack candidly spoke about stepping into a leadership role, discussing his move back into the family business and his realisation that the land, and wine making are both his passions. Anastasia reflected on how her diverse career across corporate, marketing, and the not-for-profit sectors has equipped her to support this next phase.
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, facilitated, and made the event such a success, and a big thank you to our MC for the day Jordana Ashcroft O’Sullivan.
Family Business Excellence Awards Winners – South Australia and Northern Territory
The conference also celebrated the Family Business Excellence Awards for South Australia and Northern Territory. The Business Excellence Awards are made up of three categories: Founder's Family Business, Established Family Business and Legacy Family Business.
Purple Giraffe received the 2025/26 Founder's Family Business Award for South Australia and Northern Territory.
Purple Giraffe began as a solo venture in 2014 and has transformed over the years into the trusted team it is today, supporting over 150 businesses nationally and internationally. Grounded in their commitment to personal and tailored service, Purple Giraffe has built a dynamic, flexible, and supportive culture where collaboration thrives, and success is celebrated.
Guided by their Founder, Head Giraffe Lynda, Purple Giraffe thrives on empowering their clients, and their dedication to personal touch. Maintaining a boutique model, choosing quality over volume, this business thrives on being and treating everyone like one of the family.
“When I started Purple Giraffe, I wanted to create a business that made professional 'corporate' marketing accessible to smaller businesses by providing an outsourced marketing alternative. I'm proud to say that today, we have managed to achieve that goal.”
“Family is a funny thing. You can be born into it, marry into it, or, sometimes, more importantly, you can choose it. The people who stand by you, share your dreams, and have your back every day, are every bit as much family as those connected by blood.”
“Finally, thank you to Family Business Association for recognising Purple Giraffe with this award. It’s a true honour, and one that I share with my family; both the ones I have been given, and the ones I have chosen.”
Beerenberg received the 2025/26 Legac Family Business Award for South Australia and Northern Territory.
Over 180 years ago, the Paech family arrived in South Australia and started a small farm. Many years later, in 1969, fifth-generation custodians took a bold risk and began planting strawberries. What started in a tin shed on the side of the road has since grown into a global family business.
Expanding over the years to include condiments, strawberry picking, and a visitor centre with a café, Beerenberg has always dared to dream big. Available in major supermarkets and served sky high on Qantas flights, it has become an Australian icon for many generations. Staying true to their heritage and the pioneering spirit of their founders, they continue to support their community, empower young leaders, and put trust in future generations.
“Thank you very much, this is a great honour, I really appreciate it. It’s not an overnight success at all for us, we’re six generations and came to South Australia in 1879 and we've been on the same farm in Hahndorf all that time.”
“I’ve worked in the business my whole life. I was Managing Director, now I’m Executive Chair. I work with my brother, sister and my mother.”
“Thanks to them [Anthony’s Parents], we have helped to build this business into what it is today.”
“It’s a real honour and I really appreciate it, thank you.”
Thank you to our partners and sponsors:
National Gold Partners: EWM Group, KPMG, Gallagher
National Banking Partner: ANZ
National Technology Partner: Pronto Software
National Workplace Compliance Partner: Citation Group
SA/NT State Partner: ADLV Law, Hood Sweeney
Printing Sponsor: Quickmail
Insights Table Sponsors: ADLV Law, Hood Sweeney, Office for Small & Family Business
Photo Credit: Simon Stanbury
