People

meet a neighbour

Meet Suzie McKinnon, a proud Unanderra resident with deep roots in the Illawarra.

Meet Suzie McKinnon, a proud Unanderra resident with deep roots in the Illawarra

How long have you lived in the Illawarra?

I grew up in the Berkeley before moving away in my 20’s with my family. I came back to Unanderra in 2018 and have been here ever since. It feels so nice to come back to your roots.

What do you love most about Unanderra?

I love being considered a local amongst locals. I have always felt this way about the area but since opening my flower shop Hello Gorgeous Flower Studio in January, among a nice community hub of shops with The Primrose on Tannery on one side and Steam Heads on the other. That feeling of belonging has continued to grow.

Have you always wanted to be a florist?

Yes, but it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I trained in floristry. I have always been a business owner in various retail areas but it’s a great feeling owning my own flower shop.

What do you in your downtime?

I love to walk around the lake. I am not a coffee shop sitter, I’d rather be outside soaking up the serenity – a concept I appreciate more since moving back!

Do you have a favourite flower?

My favourite everyday flower is a sunflower, but I do have a love for a lisianthus.

What is your favourite thing about spring?

All the fun flowers come out in spring such as poppies, daffodils, ranunculi. I also love the warmer weather because the sunshine lifts everyone’s mood and brings people outside.

 

More People related articles:

This unique business idea has recognised that the coming-of-age story for many people with a disability needs to be re-written, which is leading to stellar experiences for so many here in the Illawarra and beyond.
A woman with short dark hair wearing an orange coat smiles at the camera, standing against a rustic dark background with her hands in her pockets.
An award-winning author, writing mentor and teacher, Helena uses kindness as the compass for her work and life and believes in the power of storytelling to process hard things and find the volume of your voice.
Meet Ruby D’Rozario from Thirroul, childhood cancer survivor and ambassador for Shine Like Charli
As lettering artist The Marker, Wollongong born and raised Gill Dinh has brought her creative vision to outdoor spaces for close to a decade. But now Gill is fulfilling a lifelong dream, stepping into the arena as a MasterChef contestant this season.

Jessica Clark of Earth Worthy Bags has founded a visionary enterprise and is on a mission to redefine the way we approach consumption, championing ethical practices and sustainability.

The first all-women's surf comp on the south coast is riding the huge wave of young women now joining the sport, marking the Sunday 5 May event at Woonona Beach as a milestone, decades in the making.

World-renowned stencil artist Luke Cornish, a.k.a. ELK, has found his home – and his peace – in the Illawarra. And now he’s bringing global acclaim to a local canvas.

To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, we meet six inspiring women of the Illawarra, who all bring something special to our region

Professional basketball coach and former player, Justin Tatum

Taking the helm mid-season may have been a leap for some, but Illawarra Hawks coach, Justin Tatum – and father of USA NBA superstar, Jayson Tatum – is taking it all in his stride.

Paul Smith’s lifelong passion for rugby league led him to create the annual Shellharbour Stingrays Masters Carnival bringing together ‘old blokes’ - aged over 35 - for a game of modified footy, fostering a sense of comradery and nostalgia

Now more than ever, local businesses need our support! Check out some great local traders to get behind

Former high school woodwork teacher and master craftsman Brett Davis has held a lifelong passion for all things timber. But it is his connection to community and faith through woodwork that tells an even greater story.

Mother and Son screenwriter Tristram Baumber teams up with Matt Okine and Denise Scott to reboot the iconic series

Meet Simone Erdedi from Thirroul

Faye Hollands is a passionate activist and advocate for childhood cancer research. Her family’s experience has touched many in the Illawarra, and each year the Shine Like Charli ball breaks its own fundraising records. But life and work wasn’t always like this for Faye.

Age is no barrier for Towradgi-based Instagram influencer, Marion Maclean, who, at 59, is inspiring thousands of women with her message that 50 isn’t old.

Ahead of this weekend’s Yours and Owls Festival, we spoke to artist and disability support worker, Eloise Cleary, about her two projects on display.

Visual artist Harold Barrientos talked to us about his upcoming mural project and how his involvement at this years’ Yours and Owls festival began as a joke.

Let’s Be Friends

We’d love to send you occassional news and updates of happenings along the Coal Coast to your inbox!

Let’s be friends

We’d love to send updates of happenings along our Coal Coast to your inbox!

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Privacy(Required)