Farewell Emma Goodsir
With warm wishes we say farewell and thank you to Emma Goodsir, founder and director of e.g.etal for more than 23 years. In early 2022, Emma passed the e.g.etal baton to Chelsea and Jaime Gough, a sibling team – the new owners and directors of e.g.etal.
Emma Goodsir and Ali Limb opened the doors to e.g.etal (a name derived from the Latin for “example, and others”) in 1998. From their first tiny premises, their mission was to create a place representing a tightly curated collection of Australia’s leading and emerging jewellery designers. In the beginning they showcased the work of 14 designers – mostly friends who had also graduated from RMIT.
Eleven years ago Emma became e.g.etal’s sole director as the gallery continued to grow from its small beginnings into one of Australia’s most significant jewellery art spaces, now representing over 60 independent jewellers. As a staunch advocate for artists, Emma has helped establish Melbourne as the contemporary jewellery capital of Australia. Thanks in no small part to her energy, creative vision and leadership, e.g.etal has grown into a well-loved business with a wide national and international following.
“It has been an incredible privilege to have been at the helm of this business as it grew from an idea scribbled on paper to something that has become such a stronghold in Melbourne’s creative landscape, supporting hundreds of artists over the years. I started with two degrees and absolutely no practical experience running a business. Learning on the job often meant climbing a steep curve and as you can imagine both happy and scary mistakes were made in the early days.
I have loved being part of e.g.etal’s evolution and all the relationships and connections it has provided. My personal interactions with people I have met along the way have been absolute gems. And I know many lifelong friendships have been formed among staff, artists and customers. More than ever I realise how loved e.g.etal is. The feedback regularly received from customers is overwhelmingly generous. It has its own legacy – one that goes way beyond me.
e.g.etal was my first born. It grew up alongside my two sons. Now they are both out in the world as beautiful, inspiring adults. And it’s time for me to reclaim and explore new aspects of my life. I look forward to watching the next chapters of the e.g.etal story unfold in the very capable hands of Chelsea and Jaime Gough.” – Emma Goodsir
Alongside operating e.g.etal, Chelsea and Jaime run Native Tongue Music Publishing, supporting Australian and New Zealand music artists. They are both driven by helping creative people realise their potential, growing the audience for their work and finding success together.
Emma remains an integral part of the e.g.etal family, and her jewellery work will continue to be represented by the gallery.
Thank you for everything, Emma. Especially for the wisdom, humour and resilience it took to successfully get e.g.etal through the last two years!
