Innovation

Impress Media Australia works with a range of innovative Australian companies and individuals. Please read the stories below for details.

PangamoniumAustralia’s newest publisher, MidnightSun Publishing, this week launches its second novel, Pangamonium, a witty critique of global capitalism by author Zanesh Catkin.

In Pangamonium, Francis is a journalist looking for a big story in the tiny kingdom of Panga.  Despite trying to maintain his usual selfishness, he is lured into liberating a group of child slaves making sex toys for the West. 

Toss in an African pilgrim named Easter on a quest to find his grandfather’s grave filled with pirate gold, a military regime oppressing the citizens of Panga, and a Bollywood romance — and pandemonium ensues.

With a striking cover design by Polly Leddar, Pangamonium will be launched at the SA Writers’ Centre this Friday, July 20.

Pangamonium was described as “‘a riot!” by Thomas Shapcott, judge of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards. “This novel is so funny I laughed aloud in my sober study, and it is so frighteningly sharp, I cut my finger and my heart turning the pages. A winner.’’

“Along with its farce and game-playing, Pangamonium is a sharp critique of global capitalism. Lively and intelligent...” adds Nigel Krauth, winner of The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award

Sarah and Anthony CrabbAustralian health drink success and early NBN customer Organic and Raw is doubling the size of its Willunga factory to meet demand for its popular pro-biotic raw drink product, Mojo Kombucha.

With sales doubling every six months, Mojo Kombucha drinks are sold nationally through health food stores, although Organic and Raw will focus on sales through supermarkets and greengrocers once its factory expansion is complete.

Mojo Kombucha is a refreshing, effervescent and invigorating drink that is made through a unique fermentation process with an ancient lineage in East Asia. Although in Australia, kombucha was only a cottage industry until Organic and Raw started production in January 2011, the health drink is a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar segment of the booming functional drinks market in the US.

Organic and Raw director Anthony Crabb said the factory expansion was essential to cope with demand. “This facility here is completely maxed out,” he said.

Donna Bartsch and Danny PauleyEnvironmentally-conscious SA builder Energy Aspect Living has designed its construction processes to eliminate building site waste and avoid the need for on-site skips.

At a time when 38 per cent of waste generated in Australia derives from the construction and demolition sectors, Energy Aspect Living is setting a high standard for construction waste management.

Energy Aspect Living is a South Australian-based GreenSmart Award-winning builder that aims to lead Australia into a new era of sustainable homes and lifestyles.

Energy Aspect Living director Danny Pauley said the company took waste management seriously. “We take it so seriously that we can build a new home without the need for an on-site skip for waste products,” he said.