Forty years after first opening our doors in 1986, on Thursday 30 April we welcomed clients, friends, and partners into our Adelaide Arcade boutique to celebrate Gerard McCabe’s 40th Anniversary and the launch of our Historical Exhibition. It was an evening filled with familiar faces, shared stories, and a real sense of what this journey has meant - not just to us, but to the community around us.
We were honoured to hear from The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith AM, alongside our Founder Gerard McCabe and Co-Managing Directors Justin McCabe and Jessica McCabe-Moran.
“I think the reason there are so many people here is that the McCabe family, going back 148 years, have been trusted. They’ve been part of our community. If anyone asks for help, they’ve always been there. We, the customers, trust them and know that they will always look after us.”
- The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith AM
Esteemed guests in attendance also included Mr Steve Georganas MP, Member for Adelaide, Hon Andrea Michaels MP, former Minister for Arts of South Australia, Dr Bruce Foster AM, Founder of the Bone Growth Foundation, and Adelaide City Councillor Phillip Martin.
We also welcomed long-time supporters, industry partners, and VIP clients - including fourth-generation Gerard McCabe customers - to be among the first to experience our exhibition and join in the celebrations of our 40 year milestone.
A Night to Remember
At the centre of the evening was the launch of two exhibitions: our in-store Client Jewellery Exhibition, and our “Celebrating 40 Years” display in the middle of Adelaide Arcade.
Guests were invited to explore a curated collection of over 40 remarkable pieces, spanning across our four decades in business. Some were rare antique and vintage treasures from our client’s private collections, others were signature Gerard McCabe designs that have helped define who we are today.
“We’ve curated over 40 wonderful, remarkable items from our clients’ private collections, and even a few of our own,” Justin shared. “These pieces span many jewellery eras and represent different stages of our journey, each with its own story to tell.”
Alongside the spectacular showcase of clients’ jewellery were pieces of our own history. Historical objects on display included a pair of tailor’s shears that were brought over here from Ireland in 1878, scales from Frank McCabe’s very first store, and the hatbox that once served as our company’s first safe.
Among the standout client pieces on display were a striking Tiffany & Co. jade and ruby necklet, bracelet and earring set from the Retro era, our Echunga collection’s coloured diamond Foreshaw and Glover rings, and an exceptional pink diamond wristwatch featured in a catalogue from 2007.
View the photo gallery from the event below:
The Gerard McCabe Family Legacy
As Co-Managing Director Jessica McCabe-Moran shared on the night, while the business officially began in 1986, the story goes back much further.
“We’re building on the tradition of fine contemporary jewellery and antiques started by our parents Gerard and Pauline. But we’re also sharing something larger: the McCabe family retail legacy,” Jessica says.
For nearly 150 years and six generations, the McCabe family has been part of the Adelaide community; first as tailors, and then as jewellers. That sense of continuity was felt throughout the evening, not just in the speeches, but in the conversations happening across the room.
Guests were among the first to view a documentary-style short film on the McCabe family’s journey, The film features a series of interviews with Gerard and Pauline, alongside the next generation of the family: Justin McCabe, Jessica McCabe-Moran, Daniel McCabe and Lauren Stevens.
“While reflecting on our 40 years today, I was just completely overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. None of this would have been possible without the support of the entire community: our customers, staff, partners, friends and family.” - Gerard McCabe, Founder.
Looking Ahead to the Future
While the evening was a chance to reflect, it was also about looking forward.
“The next 40 years are going to be exciting,” Justin said. “What we have is so special, and now we want to take it to the world. We’d like to thank everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone, and especially the clients who generously loaned their pieces and shared their stories as part of our Client Jewellery Exhibition. Your trust is what allows us to do what we do."
Our “Celebrating 40 Years” Exhibition continues as part of South Australia History Festival until 31 May, located in the centre of Adelaide Arcade, just a short walk from our boutique.
We are also hosting our highly anticipated Antique Jewellery Roadshow in our Adelaide Arcade boutique on Friday 8 May. While this event has now sold out, you can register your interest for a future event coming soon, and we encourage you to stay tuned to our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channels for updates.
“To our wonderful clients: thank you for trusting us to connect your stories and sentiment into something far greater than just jewellery.” - Justin McCabe, Co-Managing Director.
