Three women who make Moonta a little brighter

International Women's Day is one of those moments that makes you pause and look around… at the people quietly doing brilliant things in your own community.

Moonta is full of incredible women. Business owners, creatives, organisers, problem-solvers, carers, big dreamers and quiet achievers.

There are far too many to list in one little blog post… and I definitely don't know all of them.

So this year I'm simply sharing three women I personally find inspiring. Women who make our little corner of the coast a better place just by showing up and doing what they do.

Kara Rendell … movement with heart

If you've ever taken a class with Kara from Kara Pilates, you'll know she absolutely lives and breathes movement. She's one of those people who just gets the body... an absolute guru at what she does, and she keeps getting better and better at it. Watching her business grow is honestly inspiring, because she's building something really special that's going to benefit Moonta in a big way.

But Kara's approach isn't just about exercise. She's a huge champion for taking proper care of yourself... movement, running, strength, recovery, and the mental side of it all too.

If you want to witness her brilliance for yourself, her Thursday morning mat Pilates classes are live online... a 6am start, but one of the best ways to begin your day. Equal parts challenging, uplifting and full of wildly entertaining mishap stories. 

Beyond the studio, she's one of the most community-minded people around... always supporting other local businesses, showing up for the Moonta Netball Club, cheering people on and lifting others up. That kind of energy spreads.

Lyndsey Jackson … the power of curiosity

Some people inspire you because of their kindness. Others because of their courage. Lyndsey Jackson inspires me because of her brain.

I know Lyndsey personally, and she is one of the most wildly passionate, open-minded people I've ever met. She doesn't believe in limitations... only solutions, ideas and more ideas. Being around that kind of energy is genuinely infectious.

She played a key role in exposing the Robodebt scandal that affected thousands of Australians...the kind of work that takes persistence, deep thinking and the courage to challenge systems that feel far too big to question. She was recently featured in the SBS series on Robodebt called The People vs Robodebt, and if you haven't watched it, it's worth your time.

But Lyndsey isn't some distant tech figure. She's the kind of person who dives head-first into big ideas... AI, drones, data, technology...and somehow makes it all feel fascinating rather than intimidating.

There's something really inspiring about people who are unapologetically curious about the world and how it works. She's proof that asking the right questions, digging deeper and refusing to accept "that's just the way it is" can genuinely make a difference.

Jo Gibbons … championing the Yorke Peninsula

If you've ever wandered into Taste the Yorke, you've already experienced a little bit of Jo Gibbons' philosophy. Jo doesn't just run a cafe… she champions the Yorke Peninsula in everything she does. And she does it with so much heart.

She pours herself into every detail… the local produce on the menu, the South Australian makers and suppliers she supports, and even training her staff to know the best things to do and see around the Yorke Peninsula so they can help visitors make the most of their time here. That's not just good business… that's someone who genuinely cares about this place and the people who come to it.

And the rest of the world is starting to notice. After taking out the state's top honour for Best Breakfast, Taste the Yorke recently picked up silver at the National Restaurant & Catering Awards… which is a pretty incredible achievement for a small town café on the Copper Coast.

But honestly, the awards just reflect what anyone who's walked through her door already knows. Jo is warm, kind and takes enormous pride in what she's built. Places like Taste the Yorke become more than cafes… they become gathering spots. Places where locals connect, visitors discover the region and the community grows a little stronger.

Celebrating the women around us

International Women's Day isn't really about big speeches or perfect achievements.

Sometimes it's simply about recognising the women around us who are building businesses, challenging systems, creating community, and cheering others on along the way.

Moonta is lucky to have a lot of those women. These three are just a small glimpse of the incredible people shaping our little coastal town.