Today we welcome Belinda Croser to the Sunday Profile hot seat!

Belinda is one of the Fleurieu App's biggest fans (yay for us!) and a super passionate local in her home town.

Tell us a little bit about you....

I live and run a business in the gorgeous town of Strathalbyn. I love that I can walk to work and I live near great facilities like the community swimming pool, gardens and library.

You are the owner of Hills & Coast. Please tell us a little more about your business.

Hills & Coast incorporates women’s fashion and a curated range of home and gift ware. I stock a variety of fabulous brands like Elm Lifestyle clothing, Tirelli clothing, BoPo Women wellbeing products Jones & Co planters, Raine & Humble cushions, etikette candles and Rancho Design earrings. A mixture of regional, Australian and overseas products are stocked.

There is a growing trend for fashion and homewares to complement each other, so the colour of coffee cups now matches clothing palettes. It really is about projecting a lifestyle, and the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu is a rapidly growing lifestyle destination.

I am currently undertaking renovations to expand the retail footprint and reduce my large storeroom. I will stock some more fashion lines and kitchen products in the near future. My parents are really practical and get stuck into it people, and get roped into my shop displays renovations.

What inspired you to set up Hills & Coast?

I ran a country fashion store for around a decade, called Angas & Bremer, before diversifying into more of a lifestyle store. So I have had my hand in retail for some time but decided on a brand change and to explore my love for homewares. Being self-employed works for my family life too, as I can juggle hours to pick up my son from school.

I get excited to see all the new products and enjoy the process of working out what to buy. I really get a buzz when my customers like what I have chosen.

Outside of the retail industry, I have worked for the Tourism Commission, a regional board, state planning authorities and councils across a variety of roles including workforce development projects, tourism policy, economic development and town planning. I believe my previous planning career has helped greatly with my product buying – it’s all about having an eye for the right proportions!

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Belinda and what she loves to do out of work.

I grew up on a farm near Tintinara. My parents bought another farm in Bletchley, which is between Strathalbyn and Langhorne Creek, in 1990. I have been living in Strathalbyn on and off since that time, in between stints overseas and studying or working in Adelaide. So I am not sure that I am a “local” yet in terms of generational links to the Strathalbyn district!

My grand parents lived in Aldinga Beach when I was younger, so I spent most summers and many school holidays on the Fleurieu. I did swimming classes there and spent ages roaming around the reef and scrub. 

Nowadays I spend my free time gardening and I also enjoy walks at Kuitpo Forest, Jupiter Creek diggings, Laratinga Wetlands and our trails here in Strathalbyn. I also try to go to the fabulous Handpicked Festival and Beer & BBQ Festival every year. Covid has turned me into a bit of Netflix crime show addict as well.

My family is important to me, both my partner Craig and my son Max, and my wonderful parents and sister live nearby. I have quite a few rellies in and around Strathalbyn, Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills, which is very nice.

I know you are very passionate about Strathalbyn and surrounds, and involved in the community. Please give us some insight to other things you are involved in.

Yes it is definitely true that I believe Strathalbyn is the best town in South Australia – I have spent the last decade telling the Alexandrina Council lol. 

As a business representative, I help out the Strathalbyn Inter-Church Council with Christmas Where the Angas Flows. It is a lot of fun and a great event to support.

I also run some local social media to promote Strathalbyn, but I am really still a novice in this regard and that is why I jumped on board with the Fleurieu App.

What is it that makes you proud to live and work in this special part of the world?

When I moved from the Mallee, I thought this town was the prettiest place I had seen with its historic buildings, Angas River and Soldier’s Memorial Gardens. I think the water and greenness appealed to me. I have lived several times in Adelaide, and other places, but I always get drawn back to Strathalbyn.

Anything else you would like to share?

I can’t wait for Handpicked again!

YOUR TOP TIPS

Best place to....

Grab a quick bite…BLTs at The Bean Machine in Strathalbyn.

Have a more serious feed…Any of the local pubs, Appleseed Cafe or Hammer n Tongs.

Get a cuppa…My partner – he makes a great latte every morning.

Have a beer (or cold drink)…Victoria Hotel – great front bar.

Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere)... Winehouse or Bremertons – they have a lovely outlook.

Go for a dip…Strathalbyn Swimming Pool – is just a couple of houses away from me. If it is hot enough, we head to the Goolwa Beach on Sunday afternoons.

Explore nature…Jupiter Creek diggings near Echunga is fun to roam around.

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

feel…relaxed and inspired.

always make sure I visit…The Potting Shed on Sunter for plants and Strath Seafood on Fridays for Aussie fish. 

stock up on… cheese and sausage rolls at The Picklepot in Strathalbyn.

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here:

Buying my current home in Strathalbyn – it was a five second whim after seeing some art deco light fixtures on the open day! Fixing termite damage and a leaking roof came later lol.

Best memory of being here:

Having my baby shower nearly eleven years ago in the local park – everyone together around a bbq and kicking the soccer ball after lunch trying to avoid it going into the River.

Seeing my son dressed up as an elf in the Strathalbyn Christmas pageant one year was awesome too.

Most colourful character I’ve run into:

It’s Strathalbyn, so there is a wide variety lol.

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Involve yourself in the local community, take a chance even if it is out of your comfort zone and start gardening.

You can find Hills & Coast here:

Fleurieu App 

Instagram

Facebook

Plus follow Strathalbyn – A Secret Worth Sharing for some promotion on Strathalbyn.

Whilst I have a website, and will explore online in the future, I am sticking mostly to Bricks n Mortar for now whilst the global logistics and supply chains are a bit disrupted.