Angela grew up in New Zealand, just out of Wellington at a place called Island Bay. She runs her business, Lumah Wellness Centre in Willunga from the old police station building. Today we get to know Angela and what brought her here. It doesn’t take long to realise how passionate she is about the place she now calls home and her dedication to her work, community and wellbeing in general.

Arriving to the Fleurieu Peninsula, in what Angela describes as divine intervention. Once she was exposed to the area she was in love! She explains that you could be anywhere in the world, but here we have this amazing ocean and coastline; we’ve got beautiful forests; we are close to the hills, which are often lovely and green. Growing up in New Zealand, it is no wonder that green hills and ocean mean so much to her. 

Once she became part of the community of Willunga, and learnt what community really was, there really was nowhere else she would rather be.

You are the owner of Lumah Wellness centre in Willunga.  How long have you had the business, and what was your inspiration to take on the beauty & wellness industry?

I studied beauty therapy in my 30’s, which is the foundation of what I have always done. I had skin issues as a teenager, which was quite damaging to my self-esteem at the time. I wanted to have more control over that, so I studied three years part time. I didn’t do much with that qualification at the time as I was working in the building industry.

Having decided it was time for a change, and time to expand our family, my husband built me a little salon at the back of our house. I started my business from home.

My passion has always been holistic skin care, looking at the skin as part of us, not separate from us. It’s crucial to keeping us feeling well in all parts of ourselves. I have never been that therapist that wants to make you look beautiful, it’s always been about how are you feeling. Are you feeling beautiful, are you feeling radiant, are you feeling wellness? Luminating the being is my focus.

The business journey has been gradual. The business is now 13 years old. Over those 13 years I have made a gradual transformation into becoming a holistic wellness mentor. Touch is very important to be able to nurture a person, my knowledge is extensive, I have done extensive training around skin. I love holistic conversations, so people can understand and have the knowledge about what the skin is, and then they can go and make better decisions for their entire wellbeing. This is what drives me. Luminous beings!

You live locally. Have you always lived in this part of the Fleurieu?

I come from New Zealand from a little fishing village called Island Bay. I moved to Australia when I was 19, moving to the northern suburbs of Adelaide. I didn’t know any better :) At that time Australia was very attractive, more affordable lifestyle, more choices, freedom.

A business opportunity brought me to the Fleurieu. Once I came down south, the air was different, the energy was different, the ocean was close by, there were green rolling hills, the colours, and then once I had been here for a while – the people. It’s home.

Working in such an industry and location is pretty special. What is it that makes you proud of the place you live and work?

Being a business owner in the township of Willunga is special because you are in everyone’s hearts, and they are in yours. We have become friends, we care for each other, we can have conversations about anything. There can be tears, hugs, happy moments, we have created a strong community.

COVID has been very tricky for us, but the amount of people that have been in our front room over the past 3 years, just having conversations and healing. It has been heart filling. The door has been kept open more as a community service, almost as a not for profit over the time. It’s a community hub, have a treatment, have a crystal, just have a chat, trying to heal and support each other. It has been very special.

Working in the beauty & wellness industry must have its moments (good and bad!), what’s the most memorable?

Luckily we rarely have bad moments, we set the space to attract positive energy. 

When people respond to treatment, how good they feel, how relaxed they feel, how peaceful they feel…those sorts of things fill our heart and make us love what we do. We get that reminder a lot and that keeps us going.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Angela and what you love to do out of work.

I’m embracing my art of being a green witch! :) I love herbs, I’ve spent many years embracing herbs. If it’s a day off and the sun is shining, I am in my garden with my herbs. Making ceremony sticks, flower essences, making infused oils…I gift these to people. It is something I love to do, and it creates conversation around wellness. I love it! A day in my garden makes me fill radiant and full.

Walking in nature is my other love, I am a walker (or tramper to the Kiwi’s reading). If I get space or time, I head off with my day pack. Hiking in nature is meditative for me.



What is something many locals would not know about you?

I’m a nanna. I have a 3-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter. It’s such a special, joyous, angelic space to be in. She has me wrapped around her little finger. Like her Nanna she loves her crystals “dwistles”.

Anything else you would like to share?

I’m just really passionate about holistic wellness, opening up conversations about that, and what it means to others. I am a Nada Yoga teacher - the yoga of sound. Out of Lumah I offer a lot of space holdings around self-connection and devotional self-connection, to really explore the deep peace and love within. It may sound a bit airy-fairy, but it is a really deep mindful self-connection that I think is really important. 

YOUR TOP TIPS for the Fleurieu Peninsula / Kangaroo Island:

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite…The Green Room
• Have a more serious feed…Roadhouse 88
• Get a cuppa…Willunga General store
• Have a beer (or cold drink)…on my deck at home
• Go for a dip…my local – Sellicks Beach
• Explore nature…The Willunga Basin Trail, Kuitpo, Mount Billy Conservation Park

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I…

• feel…relaxation, peaceful, connected
• always make sure I visit… The beach
• stock up on… lots and lots of organic vegetables and fruit

Best memory of being here:

Walking in the very early moments of sunrise at Sellicks Beach. I have some phenomenal moments with the sunrise colours – it’s like having colour therapy, mediation and self-connection all in the same space.

Find out more about Angela and Lumah Wellbeing Centre