Bringing beauty and life to Robe

By Kate Foreman

Emma Bates may make locals look pretty by day, but she’s also doing her bit to help save lives through her volunteering on the Limestone Coast.

Celebrating 20 years as owner of Robe Beauty, Emma (pictured right in headline image) knows the importance of being part of a small local community – and giving back to those who have helped build her business really is a special treat.

Aside from opening the popular Robe beauty and body treatment salon in 1996, for the past five years Emma has also been volunteering with the local SA Ambulance Service branch.

“There were a few incidents which happened that lead me to wanting to volunteer,” Emma says.

“I thought it would be great to have those skills as well, especially having a business in the local community,” she adds.

For Emma, her interest in the how the body works was one of her motivations behind volunteering.

“That connection of the body with my career and volunteering has been a good balance,” she says.

Originally from Lucindale, Emma moved to Kingston and then Adelaide to complete training with the Heather Langton Academy of Beauty Therapy, before returning to her favourite summer spot Robe to set up business.

For almost a year, Emma has also had fellow SA Ambulance Service volunteer, Sarah Girvan (pictured left with Emma in headline image) as part of her Robe Beauty team.

Sarah has just completed her Certificate 3, studying through TAFE SA.

“Sarah is a great student, she has really picked everything up so fast and is a hard worker,” Emma says.

“Its great to have her on board, I’ve been very lucky over the years having a number of great local employees.”

Celebrating her 20 year milestone tomorrow (August 19), Emma says Robe Beauty is still offering locals and visitors alike beauty treatments all year round.

And juggling life as a business owner, volunteering duties and training, as well as being a mum, has made Robe Beauty’s business milestone extra special.

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