Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith co-founded Streaky Bay Distillers in 2022 with her husband Tony, turning a family tragedy into a purposeful craft distillery on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. The tiny town of Streaky Bay sits on the state’s wild west coast, and their small-batch gin, vodka, and whiskey capture the rugged character of that remote landscape.

Before distilling, Rebecca worked as a Remote Area Nurse and midwife, delivering healthcare to Australia’s most isolated communities. She grew up on the Eyre Peninsula, left to see the world, and returned to raise her children. The death of her younger sister became a turning point, pushing her and Tony to seek artistic ways to process their grief.

That search led them to a distilling course, where they discovered a passion for craft spirits. They enrolled in the University of Adelaide’s Foundations of Distilling program and, after completing it, decided to build something together. They sourced a 300-litre Australian copper pot still—named Cyrel after a lost family member—and combined Rebecca’s creative flair with Tony’s technical expertise.

Streaky Bay Distillers prioritizes sustainability through solar power, water recycling, and local botanicals including abalone shell, saltbush, and coastal rosemary. Rebecca designs all of the lino-printed labels herself, turning each bottle into a piece of art. Their spirits have earned national acclaim, including a gold medal for Sister Gin at the 2025 Australian Gin Awards.