SA - Telstra Australian Business Awards

Located in the lower Barossa Ranges, Lyndoch Lavender Farm was created after its owners sought to diversify part of their property that was not used for grapevines. The tourism venture provides scenic walks, lavender products and gourmet food tastings. The business is currently securing a licence for its cafT, to allow visitors to sample the wine produced from the property's vineyard.

Rural Directions is an agribusiness that offers consulting, grain marketing and research and development services. Staff include agronomists, business planners, farm management consultants, project managers and accountants. Projects range from business planning and coaching to feasibility studies, grain trading and assessing demonstration trials.

SAFF produces and distributes biodiesel - a non-toxic, 100 per cent biodegradable fuel that produces 80 per cent less greenhouse emissions than regular diesel. The business supplies more than 50 service stations in regional and rural Australia. SAFF is also involved in the research and development for the production and use of biofuels.

Mt Gambier's Carlin and Gazzard is a car dealership with up to 500 new and used vehicles. The dealership sells Mercedes Benz, Subaru, Suzuki and Honda vehicles. Other divisions within the business include finance and leasing, customer relations and paint and paneling. Carlin and Gazzard employs 70 staff, seven of whom are family members.

Adelaide Hills Natural Health Centre is a natural therapies and weight management centre. The centre offers lifestyle solutions to all health-related issues and manufactures its own range of natural, hypoallergenic skin care products. The business was established nine years ago and assists more than 100 patients each week.