The Moonta Collective, a love letter to South Australia

I'm Jacqui Nelligan. Proud South Aussie, creative, co-founder of Unseasoned Greetings, and the person who saw a shop for sale on Instagram and completely lost her mind.

In the best possible way.

Before I owned it, The Moonta Collective was already part of my story. When Unseasoned Greetings was first stocked here under the original owner, it felt like a proper pinch-me moment. This joyful, bright little shop in the heart of Moonta, and my cheeky South Australian cards sitting right there on the shelves. I loved everything it stood for.

So when it came up for sale a few years later, I didn't overthink it. I felt that pull in my gut and I went for it.

It wasn't just about buying a business. It was about continuing something that already meant a lot to me.

From Adelaide to the coast

My husband and I had been craving something slower for a while. City life in Adelaide was good, but we kept looking towards the water.

Moonta had been part of my life for more than 25 years. My family has had a shack here as long as I can remember, and those summers shaped me. Swimming, beachcombing, long evenings, that particular kind of calm you only get when you're close to the ocean and nowhere near your emails.

Moving here full time didn't feel like leaving something behind. It felt like finally arriving.

Now we live a few minutes from the beach with our two boys. We know our neighbours. We walk to the local coffee shop. The kids play outside until it gets dark. It's the kind of life that feels simple in the best way, and it's exactly the spirit behind everything we do at The Moonta Collective.

Building on what was already there

When I took over the store, I wasn't trying to reinvent it. I was trying to love it well.

The Moonta Collective already had a strong heartbeat. A place where locals, shack owners and visitors could find something that felt genuinely special, not just convenient. I wanted to carry that forward and add my own touch along the way.

A bit more humour. A bit more heart. A lot more South Australian pride.

Every product we stock tells a story. It might make you laugh out loud. It might come from a local maker who pours everything into their craft. It might be exactly the gift you needed but couldn't quite

The honest bit

Running a small business in regional South Australia is not always glamorous. I wear every hat. Some days that's fun. Some days that's a lot.

There have been moments of doubt, imposter syndrome, and the occasional late night wondering what on earth I've got myself into. I think any small business owner who tells you it's all sunshine is leaving something out.

But I've learned to back myself. To trust my instincts. To remember that getting it mostly right and keeping going matters more than waiting until everything is perfect.

And honestly, the community here makes it worth every bit of it.

Where I want this place to be

A destination, not just a shop.

When you walk through the yellow door, I want you to feel something shift. A little lighter, maybe. A bit more joyful. Like you've stepped into somewhere that genuinely cares what it puts on its shelves.

I want to champion South Australian makers and give their stories a platform. I want to grow this into a space where workshops, local events and real conversations happen alongside the retail. I want to keep building something that reflects not just what I sell, but what I stand for.

Creativity. Community. Coast. A deep, genuine love for this state.

The Moonta Collective is proof that big things can grow from small places. That when you follow your gut and put your heart into something, people feel it.

Whether you're popping in while you're down for the weekend, hunting for the perfect gift, or browsing from your couch in Adelaide, I'm glad you're here.

This is just the beginning. And I cannot wait to see where it goes.