Whyalla Business and Tourism

17/10/2026

PROGRAM DROP!

The full agenda for the 2026 Club Level Up Conference has landed! 👇

Join us for a FREE day of expert insights, practical workshops and networking designed to help your club grow stronger.

📅 Sunday 18 October
📍 Westland Hotel Motel
🎟️ Free, but registrations are essential

Secure your spot today 👉 https://whycc.au/4yfS9BF

27/09/2026

Congratulations to the September 2026 Business of the Month; Aquest

Firstly, although WB&T are proud to announce Aquest as this September’ business of the month, we’re also just as excited to say they are coming up to twenty years of business. That’s twenty years of service delivery to Whyalla and surrounds and twenty years of providing stability for their employees and giving young people a future through apprenticeships. Main stalwart of Aquest is Managing Director Darren Hage who we were introduced to as we arrived and immediately, we felt how proud he is of his team and in true Whyalla style adds that family vibe to his working environment. Everyone in our visit to Aquest were polite, friendly, and engaging to know they were part of a business to be celebrated.

Aquest provide electrical, air conditioning, and refrigeration services to domestic, commercial, and industrial industries. Some of their services include:
• Sales and Energy Saving Solutions
• Project Management
• Fault finding and Diagnostics
• Inspection, Testing, and Installation
• CCTV and Process Monitoring
• Communications, Data, and Telecommunications
In fact, too many to list in this story but to add to their skill set you’ll be safe knowing that Aquest are ISO accredited which backs their commitment to quality end products and labour providers.
Aquest staff has approximately forty personnel with up to six of those employed as apprentices.

Darren and Aquest are everything Whyalla and everything about Whyalla. They understand the rigours of the Whyalla industrial environment and adapt when required. To explain a little more about how they fit in the Whyalla community I quote from their website, ‘Beyond our business operations, we are actively involved in community initiatives and local events. Giving back to the community that has been instrumental in our growth is a core part of our mission. We are committed to continuing this legacy of support and involvement for many years to come’.
Congratulations Team Aquest, a true Icon of Whyalla Business.

Please remember, shop local, shop Whyalla…

Aquest
23 Shiel Street, Whyalla Playford SA 5600
Ph # (08) 8644 2244
Email [email protected]
Website https://aquest.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/aquestelectrical

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

18/09/2026

🏆It's that time of year folks. Whyalla Business & Tourism along with major sponsor Mine Spec Industries are happy announce the date for this year's Annual Awards Dinner. 🍾🥂
Tickets are only available via the link below. It's going to be great to see you there... 😀
https://flowersbyalicia.com.au/.../2026-mine-spec.../

15/09/2026

Do you know an exceptional Apprentice, Trainee, or School Based Apprentice or Trainee? Well if you do, we want to hear from you!
Please see the attached for further information and applications can be entered via the link.
The winners will be announced at this years Annual Awards Dinner.
https://www.wbat.org.au/employee-employer-awards/

13/09/2026

💥Members Spotlight💥

This week we welcome:
✨ KUCHEL MAINTENANCE

LOCAL SKILLS, QUALITY WORK & A BUSINESS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

This week we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Kuchel Maintenance, a locally owned and operated Whyalla business led by Dylan Kuchel.

There’s something pretty special about watching a local tradesperson back themselves, build a business and then start creating opportunities for the next generation.

Dylan is a fully qualified plasterer, painter and renderer, providing professional services across Whyalla and surrounding areas for all customers.

Whether it’s fixing up those annoying defects around the home, repairing damaged walls and ceilings, freshening up an older property or completing work on a brand new project, Kuchel Maintenance is about getting in, getting the job done properly and leaving a quality finish.

SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Interior and exterior painting
- Plastering and wall repairs
- Rendering
- Wall and ceiling lining
- Repairing cracks, holes and damaged plaster
- Fixing defects and imperfections
- General property maintenance
- Residential maintenance and repairs
- Renovation and improvement work
- New construction and finishing work
- Preparing and refreshing tired walls and surfaces
- General repairs and maintenance around homes and businesses

Dylan's story is also a great example of where determination and hard work can lead.

After completing his apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining, Dylan spent time working at OneSteel in Whyalla while continuing to take on trade work outside of his normal working hours.

Eventually, he decided it was time to back himself. In October 2025, Dylan launched Kuchel Maintenance, and the demand for his services quickly grew.

Only eight months after starting the business, Dylan took another big step and employed his first apprentice, who is undertaking a dual trade apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining and Painting and Decorating.

For Dylan, employing an apprentice isn't simply about growing Kuchel Maintenance. It's about passing on his knowledge and giving another young tradesperson the opportunity to build a career.

That's what supporting local business is all about. When you choose a local Whyalla business like Kuchel Maintenance, you're not just getting a job completed. You're supporting a local family, helping a local business grow and helping create employment and training opportunities right here in our community.

From the small jobs you've been putting off to larger renovations, commercial maintenance and new projects, Kuchel Maintenance is ready to help bring your property back to life.

A cracked wall can be repaired.

A tired room can be transformed.

An unfinished project can become something you're proud of.

And sometimes all it takes is having the right local tradesperson to make
it happen.

KUCHEL MAINTENANCE

Dylan Kuchel - 0412 655 123

Email: [email protected]

Servicing Whyalla and surrounding areas

Whyalla Business & Tourism is proud to support and promote another local business investing its skills, time and future into our community.

Support local. Employ local. Build local.

If you’d like to become a WBAT member, or simply nominate a business of the month award simply visit:

www.wbat.org.au

“Representing the best interest of business & tourism”

06/09/2026

Congratulations to the August 2026 Business of the Month; Whyalla Travel & Cruise

Turning travel dreams into memorable journeys

For many people, a great holiday begins long before they board a plane or set sail. It starts with an idea, a conversation and someone who knows how to turn that idea into a memorable journey. That’s where Whyalla Travel & Cruise comes in. WT&C have been servicing Whyalla for some 45 years with Bill Heron starting in 1992 and Vivienne Burgess complimenting the team from 2010. A note here; when visiting Bill or Vivienne take the time to ask about their adventures because good travel agents are also good story tellers and their experiences will help you make your own decisions.

Located on Forsyth Street, Whyalla, Travel & Cruise cater for all trips imaginable. They can arrange flights, accommodation, transfers, cruises, tours, travel insurance and countless other details. Whyalla Travel & Cruise takes the complexity out of the process, helping customers make informed decisions and providing support throughout the booking process. Not only do they provide for holiday travel; they also offer corporate services to businesses that haven’t got the time or the skillset to be arranging travel for personnel.

And while online booking has made it possible to arrange almost every aspect of a holiday with a few clicks, there is still something special about having an experienced travel professional on your side. And that is why their mantra is, ‘If you don’t have an agent, you have no one’…

For Whyalla residents, having a local travel specialist means customers can sit down face-to-face with someone, talk through their plans, ask questions and receive advice based on their particular circumstances. It is more than simply booking a flight or hotel. A travel professional can help bring together the many moving parts of a holiday, while providing reassurance that there is someone local to contact when questions arise.

Congratulations team Whyalla Travel & Cruise, well done and thank you for a part of the Whyalla community.

Remember, shop locally, shop Whyalla.
Whyalla Travel & Cruise

19 Forsyth Street, Whyalla SA 5600
(08) 8645 8888
https://www.whyallatravelandcruise.com.au/

04/09/2026

💥Members Spotlight💥

This week we welcome:
✨Whyalla Central Deli

A fantastic locally owned and operated business that is about much more than great food.

Now owned and operated by Katie Donaldson, together with her awesome team, the business has entered an exciting new chapter after Katie had taken over from previous local owner.

Katie has been a chef for many years, mostly working in Tasmania and has also competed in many cooking shows Australia wide.

With the business now celebrating around three and a half years, Katie and the team continue to build on its reputation for fresh food, friendly service and genuine support for the Whyalla community.

There’s plenty on offer, including:

- Freshly made cakes and sweets
- Platters for gatherings, meetings and events
- Hot food
- Catering for a range of occasions
- Outdoor seating
- Convenient parking
- Locally made smoked products
- H**p seeds, oils and capsules
- Dimattina Coffee and proudly the only supplier in Whyalla
- Inspection and compliance approved

Supporting other locals is also a big part of the business.

You’ll find beautiful handmade bags created by a local lady Janice, with money raised supporting Pink Spirits Breast Cancer.

Katie and the team are strong supporters of breast cancer fundraising and generously make cakes for fundraising stalls, helping community groups raise much needed funds.

Their community support doesn’t stop there. They also support local football and provide space for donation tins supporting causes including Pink Spirits, Mission Australia homelessness services, the RSL and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

This commitment to business and community was recognised when the business was named New Business of the Year Winner in 2024 – a fantastic achievement and one that reflects the hard work behind the scenes.

Businesses like this are what local really means employing local people, supporting local organisations, stocking locally made products, getting behind sporting clubs and giving back to causes that matter.

Congratulations to Katie Donaldson and her team.

Whyalla Business & Tourism is proud to have businesses like yours among our members.

Next time you’re looking for a coffee, something sweet, fresh hot food, a platter or catering, make sure you support local and call in to see Katie and the team.

Phone orders: 8645 7923
Open Mon-Fri 6am to 3pm
Located at 34 Playford Ave

SUPPORT LOCAL. SHOP LOCAL. KEEP WHYALLA BUSINESS STRONG.

Whyalla Business & Tourism Proudly supporting and promoting our local business community.

If you’d like to become a member, or simply nominate a business of the month head to:

www.wbat.org.au

“Representing the best interest of business and tourism”