What Do A Photographer, A Farmer And A Pilates Studio Have In Common? Regional Collective Keith
Pic – Tatiara farmer and regional development advocate Sarah Secker
Melissa Smith
While It Sounds Like The Start Of A Joke, It’s Actually The Beginning Of A New Way of Working In Country South Australia
Regional Collective Keith has opened on Keith’s Main Street, bringing a mix of businesses together under one roof while creating a professional workspace for locals, remote workers and visiting specialists.
The idea is the latest project from sixth-generation Tatiara farmer and regional development advocate Sarah Secker, who was named Tatiara’s 2026 Citizen of the Year after helping deliver the town’s $1.1 million Don Moseley Park playground.
Sarah said the vision had always been much bigger than simply providing office space.
“A proper workspace changes what’s possible for people living and working in a region like ours. It means a parent can build a career without leaving town. It means a business can set up here without cutting corners. It means the Tatiara keeps its people.”
Tatiara farmer and regional development advocate Sarah Secker,
Regional Collective Keith Is More Than Just Office Space
Regional Collective Keith has already attracted five founding businesses, including Riddoch Insurance, Pillara Haus, Sarah Cunningham Photography, CMT Projects and Maluka Partners.
Private offices and permanent desks are already full, but businesses can still access the space through hot desks, casual memberships, meeting rooms and warehouse space, with capacity to expand if demand continues.
Sarah said the mix of businesses had happened naturally.
Riddoch Insurance was already operating from the building before Regional Collective Keith was established, with owner Emily Crafter choosing to stay after the property changed hands. The remaining businesses came on board through an expression of interest process.
“I didn’t expect to open the doors with 5 secured members.”
She said what had surprised her most was how quickly collaboration had developed.
“We are all different which has enabled supportive collaboration already and I love that. We are tied by our desire to be self employed and have a professional place to work that isn’t our kitchen table.”
The space is also attracting professionals from outside the region with a visiting mortgage broker working from Regional Collective, giving Keith residents access to a service they would otherwise have travelled elsewhere to access.
“It’s important to me that we have a mix as it’s as much about welcoming specialists from outside the region into the community,” she said.
Looking Beyond Keith
Regional Collective Keith also offers virtual memberships, allowing businesses to establish a presence in Keith, use the business address, access the network and work from the space when needed, without committing to a permanent office.
Sarah said she hoped the concept could inspire similar spaces in other regional communities.
“My dream is that it is a place that promotes opportunity and workforce participation for regions.”
“I hope it becomes a system we can share to promote more of the facilities being established in existing infrastructure.”
The next stage is already underway, with a one-bedroom executive apartment due to open in August, giving visiting professionals a home away from home while working in the region.
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