The following businesses were the 2014 Bronze recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations.
Michael Anderson
Business name: Three Below
Business address: Melbourne City Square Shop 3, 44-86 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9662 9555
Year became proprietor: 2004
Ever since Michael Anderson started in the hospitality industry, as a twelve year old stacking shelves and sweeping floors, he has wanted to own a bar. After ten years teaching an opportunity arose and Michael and his brother Gerard Kelly leapt at the chance.
Three Below began trading in 2004 and because of its location in City Square, it has witnessed a decade of exciting events including the Commonwealth Games, Grand Final Parades and the bustling energy of daily life in Melbourne.
Johanna Arendsen
Business name: Eyes On Queen Street
Business address: Shop 2/185-191 Queen Street Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9600 3888
Business email:
queenstreet@eyeson.com.au
Business website:
eyeson.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1999
Johanna Arendsen is an optometrist who wanted to be part of an independent progressive company. She joined Eyes On Optometrists in 1997 and became a partner in 1999.
Eyes On is a small independent business thriving in a highly competitive market full of huge international players. Johanna’s areas of interest include contact lenses, laser vision correction and computer related near vision problems.
Joy Barassi
Business name: Joy Barassi CPA
Business address: 151 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 9650 7333
Business email:
joy@barassiandco.com.au
Year became proprietor: [1977] 1999 within City of Melbourne
Joy Barassi is a Certified practising accountant providing consultancy services to a firm of Chartered Accountants. Joy commenced her private accounting practice in 1977 in Mount Waverley and has been in East Melbourne since 1999. There were few girls in her graduating class from RMIT and not many women offering private accounting services.
Joy’s clients have included a high percentage of professional women and in some cases she is now acting for the third generation of a family.
Dr Graeme Baro
Business name: Doctors on Collins trading as The Town Medical Centre
Business address: 3/423 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9670 5777
Business email:
reception@townmedical.com
Business website:
townmedicalcentre.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1992
Graeme Baro has been a General Practitioner for over thirty years and providing medical services for over twenty years to people who work and live in the central city. In 1992 Graeme purchased a practice that had been established in the city twenty-five years earlier.
The practice is dedicated to providing personalised, professional and quality service in the heart of Melbourne. They have a strong client base with expectations for continuing medical care. The practice has a very strong emphasis on preventative medicine to reduce adverse outcome, especially with heart disease, diabetes and cancers. They also provide mental health care as an intrinsic part of general practice.
Peter Barrett
Business name: Peter Andrew Barrett Architectural Conservation Consultant
Business address: Level 31, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9639 2646
Business
email:info@pabarrett.com
Business website:
pabarrett.com
Year became proprietor: [1997] 2003 within CoM
Peter Barrett is an architectural historian and conservation consultant. He loves working with buildings and his own business provides the opportunity to concentrate on his passion. The business had humble beginnings from the kitchen of his small flat in Richmond.
With the business growing, Peter recently relocated from his home-office in Spring Street to an office in Collins Street. The great architecture and vibe of Collins Street complements the heritage field Peter works in.
The best part of Peter’s business is the opportunity to see amazing buildings, many not accessible to the public. Peter says ‘it’s like going to work every day to your own Open House Melbourne’.
Karen Birthisel
Business name: Garden Organics
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, I Shed, Stalls 71 - 77, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 8618 6976
Business email:
admin@gardenorganics.com.au
Business website:
gardenorganics.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2002
In 2002 Karen Birthisel decided to follow her interests and open an ethical business. Karen’s passion for quality organic fresh produce saw her purchase Dianne Fyson’s Organic Fresh Produce stall at Queen Victoria Market. Dianne had created the business in 1996, building it on honesty and providing the best quality produce available. She was pleased to sell the business to someone with similar business ethics and Karen has continued to build the business.
The shop is a certified organic retailer with Australian Certified organics. They are audited annually to ensure they operate according to the organic standards.
Jodi Brunner
Business name: Feng Shui Cures & Crystals / FENG SHUI network
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, 141 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 3003
Telephone: 0408 173 710
Business website:
fengshuimaster.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2000
Jodi is a Master of Feng Shui. She has run Feng Shui tours of Melbourne’s Chinatown since 1998, and was a consultant to the City of Melbourne for the Chinatown Revitalisation Project.
In 2000 Jodi was attending market stalls around town selling Feng Shui objects when the opportunity to lease a shop at Queen Victoria Market arose.
Feng Shui Cures & Crystals is the only shop of its type in Australia run by experts, providing quality products at affordable prices by importing directly from Asia. Jodi and her staff are happy to advise their customers on how to live a lucky life by drawing on ancient Asian philosophy and wisdom.
Paul Caine
Business name: Caine Real Estate
Business address: 370 Albert Street, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 8413 8000
Business email:
sales@caine.com.au
Business website:
caine.com.au
Year became proprietor: [1997] 2002 within CoM
Paul Caine started Caine Real Estate in 2002 because of the absence of outstanding residential sales and property management services in East Melbourne. He started as a single operator and now has a staff of 18 people working full time.
Adriano Carbone
Business name: Adriano Carbone Master Tailor
Business address: The Block Arcade, Shop 14, 100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9600 2422
Business email:
info@adriano.com.au
Business website:
adriano.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2004
Adriano hails from a long family line of master tailors; he passion is to bring back the art of old-fashioned tailoring to the heart of Melbourne. Adriano’s garments are signature pieces made exclusively at The Block Arcade in Melbourne. He is an engineer of the body, creating a garment that fits like a glove.
For over a decade Adriano has crafted costumes for the Melbourne theatre scene, including many from major Broadway musicals. He and wife Maria, both with Italian roots, are steeped in Melbourne’s culture and are determined to keep the traditional art of tailoring alive in this city.
Fabio Costa
Business name: Coffea Coffee
Business address: 521 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9326 7388
Business email:
coffea@optusnet.com.au
Business website:
coffeacoffee.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2000
After 10 years working as a Master Roaster for a famous Melbourne coffee pioneer, Fabio and his wife Lisa opened Coffea Coffee at Queen Victoria Market. They want to educate people about coffee and they proudly give their coffee roaster prime position in the shop. Their customers love getting an insight into coffee roasting.
In 2002 they doubled the size of the shop and started to serve lunches with produce bought straight from the market. Fabio feels honoured and privileged that their customers choose to keep coming back. He loves the vibe, the social happenings and the conversation all brought together with coffee.
Lisa Costa
Business name: Coffea Coffee
Business address: 521 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9326 7388
Business email:
coffea@optusnet.com.au
Business website:
coffeacoffee.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2000
Lisa Costa grew up with a family run coffee shop at the Preston Market. She and her husband Fabio took the opportunity to open their own business in a vacant shop at the entrance to Queen Victoria Market in 2000. They wanted market shoppers to understand that coffee is also fresh produce.
The coffee is hand roasted daily, in small batches using a traditional drum roaster. The business is based on personal service and a no-nonsense approach to high quality, good value for money, hand roasted artisan coffee.
Vivian Dourali
Business name: Eimai
Business address: 176 Elgin Street, Carlton 3053
Telephone: 03 9349 5858
Business email:
hindsightmarketing@bigpond.com
Business website:
eimaiclothing.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2002
Viv’s business revolves around the love of fabric. Eimai is a retail fashion store in Carlton, the name reflecting Viv’s Greek heritage – Eimai means ‘I am’ in Greek. Her main label, proudly designed and made in Melbourne, is Vivee, an independent label with a strong artistic streak. All ages are catered for but special attention is devoted to the 40+ customer with an eye for innovation, unique garments and clever design.
With humble beginnings, Viv’s business went from exclusively wholesale to a retail outlet when she developed Vivee, her own label. The range has expanded to include French collections to offer diversity to her clients.
Michael Grounds
Business name: Grounds Jewellers
Business address: 309 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9654 0422
Business email:
groundsjewellers@bigpond.com
Year became proprietor: [1978] 1998 within City of Melbourne
Michael completed a five year apprenticeship with Emil Braun in York House in 1963 and 17 years later started his own business. The business had humble beginnings in a garage in Thomastown where Michael began working for retailers while building up his private customer base. In 1998 he opened his central city shop in Little Collins Street.
Michael’s son David, also a qualified jeweller, continues to run the manufacturing business in Thomastown. Michael enjoys travelling overseas to source stones and pearls for their high quality handmade pieces. They are respected for their knowledge and craft by their peers and customers.
Krista Hackett
Business name: Fairy Dance (K-Lee Designs)
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, D Shed, Stall D99-100, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 0412 362 417
Business email:
info@fairydance.com.au
Business website:
fairydance.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1995
Working in childcare led Krista to become involved in creating her own quality range of fairy and dance wear. Krista hand makes many of her items and her garments are mostly made in Melbourne. Her shop at Queen Victoria Market is a place to shop for children and adults alike and she loves the way children respond to her fairy costumes.
Krista loves the market; lots of her customers are tourists from overseas and from many parts of Australia, including some indigenous children from the Northern Territory. She also has visits from children from the Royal Children’s Hospital on outings.
Greg John
Business name: Abrecht Bird Jewellers
Business address: Suite 202, 227 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9650 3830
Business email:
marg@abrecht.com
Business website:
abrecht.com
Year became proprietor: 2000
Greg John designs hand-crafted fine jewellery. He was invited to join Abrecht Bird Jewellers as a partner in 2000 after a 30 year business relationship with them. The business was formed when two family jewellery manufacturing companies – Fred Robert Abrecht, established in 1875 and J Bird and Son (1910) amalgamated.
Formerly suppliers of diamond jewellery to retailers around Australia, the business now specialises in servicing a loyal client base of private customers. The business has seen and adapted to vast changes for over a century. Their workshop has been the training ground for many apprentices.
Peter Kalogeratos
Business name: The Breadbox
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Stall 81-82 Dairy Produce Hall, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9326 5425
Business email:
kalogeratos@optusnet.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2001
Peter’s uncle started The Breadbox at Queen Victoria Market 30 years ago. Peter has fond memories of the hot jam donuts that his uncle used to bring him from the market – love at first bite!
Peter and his wife Michelle were both working at Crown when they decided to buy his uncle’s bread shop in 2001. Their bread comes from 13 different bakers which are mostly other family businesses.
Peter and Michelle know their customers by name and Peter remembers everyone’s football team.
Michelle Kalogeratos
Business name: The Breadbox
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Stall 81-82 Dairy Produce Hall, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9326 5425
Business email:
kalogeratos@optusnet.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2001
Michelle’s love of the market began as a little girl when her father took her shopping while her mother was at home preparing Saturday’s lunch. Working for her husband Peter’s uncle in the bread shop at weekends made her realise that she loved the vibrancy and characters of the market.
When Peter’s uncle decided to retire in 2001, she and Peter bought the business. They sell bread and sweets with a focus on old style sourdough bread. They buy a lot of their bread from other family businesses.
Michelle says she didn’t set out to own a business in Queen Victoria Market, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gerard Kelly
Business name: Three Below
Business address: Melbourne City Square Shop 3, 44-86 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9662 9555
Year became proprietor: 2004
Gerard Kelly opened Three Below Public Bar in City Square with his brother Michael in 2004. They have a passion for hospitality and Melbourne and saw the City Square as a great location for a venue opening out to the public.
Three Below was designed by leading Melbourne architects 6 Degrees as a modern take on the traditional Australian watering hole. It opens directly onto the City Square providing a great space for locals and tourists alike. When the brothers opened Three Below, City Square was not the vibrant area it now is and they were one of only two traders.
Jennifer Kerr
Business name: Birches Serviced Apartments
Business address: 160 Simpson Street, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 9417 2344
Business email:
jennie@birches.com.au
Business website:
birches.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2003
After training as nurse in 1975, Jennifer decided to go travelling. When she returned she worked in her family’s motel in rural Victoria. She worked her way up through the hospitality industry gaining experience over 30 years before buying her own business.
Birches Serviced Apartments started operating in 1984 as one of the first serviced apartment businesses in Melbourne. Jennifer bought the business in 2003. She worked hard and is proud to now have a successful business. Birches is within walking distance of the central city and provides easy access to Melbourne’s sporting precinct.
Joe Leuzzi
Business name: Joe Leuzzi Flowers
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Therry Street Plaza, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 0412 424 015
Business email:
joe_leuzzi@hotmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1999
This family flower business dates back to 1948 when it was established by Joe Leuzzi’s uncle. Joe’s father and his two sons took over the business in 1976 and Joe has been running the business since 1999. It was renamed Joe Leuzzi Flowers in 2006. They sell flowers and plants and provide a delivery service.
The flower shop is in a great location in the centre of the market and Joe loves the atmosphere. He says that if Queen Victoria Market had a family tree, his family would belong there. He finds that with the increase in city living, more and more people are buying flowers for their homes.
Vanessa Lucas
Business name: Vanessa Lucas
Business address: 209/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9663 8476
Business email:
vanessa@vanessalucas.com
Business website:
vanessalucas.com
Year became proprietor: [1992] 2002 within CoM
Vanessa Lucas is a sole trader who makes bespoke garments and porcelain tableware. She has been a bespoke tailor for 20 years and has been making porcelain tableware for eight years. Vanessa designs clothing in conjunction with individual clients and crafts it in a workroom in The Nicholas Building. She regularly uses Tessuti Fabrics in Flinders Lane and Buttonmania in the Nicholas Building to source materials for her clients.
Vanessa works in collaboration with the customer to ensure the objects she makes are perfectly suited to the requirements of everyday life. Vanessa has completed commissions for the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the NGV 150th Anniversary and Quay Restaurant in Sydney.
Kurt Mechkaroff
Business name: Westend Optical Services
Business address: Southgate Centre, Shop P16, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank 3006
Telephone: 03 9682 0123
Business email:
kurt@eyeson.com.au
Business website:
eyeson.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1999
As a partner of Eyes On Optometrists, Kurt Mechkaroff is proud to be involved in a successful city-based business. Eyes On has been an intrinsic part of the Melbourne commercial landscape since 1989. With three Melbourne city stores Eyes On provide professional and independent eye care.
All Eyes On optometrists are committed to continuing education and providing the latest in technology, therapeutics and fashion frames. They are also able to prescribe a wide range of medications to treat common eye conditions. Kurt has a particular interest in ocular disease and contact lenses. Kurt is proud that Eyes On thrives as an independent small business in an industry dominated by multinationals.
Vicken Nackashian
Business name: Vick Nackashian Fine Jewellery
Business address: Level 6, Suite 604, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9662 3661 or 0407 007 488
Business email:
v.nackashian@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 2003
The jewellery industry is a very important part of Vick’s heritage. Having an Armenian background and growing up around jewellers, goldsmiths and artists inspired him to continue this tradition and become a jewellery artisan. He began his business in the Century Building manufacturing for other retailers, moving to the prestigious Manchester Unity Building when his business developed and he had a growing private clientele.
Vick started off his apprenticeship with Ken Gray Design and completed it with J. Bird & Son, both long standing Melbourne businesses. He has been in the central city all his working life and considers it the centre of artistic culture that inspires creativity in his work.
Loi Tien Nguyen
Business name: LTH Pty Ltd
Business address: Suite 714, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9663 9220
Business email:
lthcad@gmail.com
Business website:
lthcad.com.au
Year became proprietor: [1996] 1997 within CoM
Loi Tien Nguyen came to Australia from Vietnam in 1987 and got his start in the jewellery trade by working in a small jewellery casting shop in Perth.
The family moved to Melbourne in 1995 and in 1996 Loi Tien began a casting manufacturing business in his garage. In 1997 he moved to the Manchester Unity Building. LTH provides services for the jewellery trade, including computer-aided design, rapid prototyping 3D printing, precious metal casting and also hot and cold moulding.
He provides a high quality friendly service, and quick turn around with reasonable and affordable metal prices and labour costs.
Zokky Novak
Business name: Zokky
Business address: 43 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9650 4919
Business email:
zokkydesigns@hotmail.com
Year became proprietor: [1979] 1992 within CoM
Zokky designs, makes and sells beautiful garments for women. Zokky’s typical customers are stylish but busy with an appreciation for quality. It is Zokky’s pleasure to play with some of the most beautiful fabrics on the planet. She always dressed her sisters and friends, along with designing and making commercial uniforms for restaurants and nightclubs.
Zokky also helped a friend with a commercial range before opening her first retail outlet in 1979 to provide a focus for the business. Zokky is a local; she has always worked in the city and inner suburbs. Her boutique and workroom have been at the top of Bourke Street for 18 years.
Julie Peers
Business name: Koorie Connections Altair
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, 155 Victoria Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 0432 036 166
Business email:
koorie.connections.altair@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1994
Julie Peers is a Wiradjuri woman who has been part of the Victorian Aboriginal community since she was three months old. Julie and her late husband started their business with a ‘pocketful of dreams’ and with the assistance of Queen Victoria Market established Koorie Connections, selling affordable authentic aboriginal art and crafts.
Julie subscribes to Fair Trade and ensures that all products are licensed and that royalties are paid to the artist. Julie’s two sons are very much part of the business and in particular help provide local and international shoppers with an indigenous small business experience.
Bruce Pham
Business name: Groov-E-Wear
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, C Shed Stall 15, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 0412 220 220
Business email:
bspham@outlook.com
Year became proprietor: 1991
Bruce Pham began working with his parents at their two Queen Victoria Market stores when he was at secondary school. As soon as he turned 18 and obtained his driver’s licence, his parents encouraged him to join the family business.
The family sells high quality Australian made woollen, cotton and bamboo socks and Korean hosiery. Bruce has built up a relationship with the local Italian makers of the socks and now deals with the son of his parents’ original supplier. The relationship has developed to the extent that Bruce now designs socks to be made exclusively for his family business.
Bruce has continued part-time tertiary study while running the business.
Susan Pike
Business name: Susan Pike Productions
Business address: 76 Simpson Street, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 9417 4759
Business email:
sue.spp@bigpond.net.au
Year became proprietor: 1993
Susan Pike’s business grew from a need to provide professional and cost effective advertising for clients with a personal approach. Her client base has been predominantly shopping centres across Australia. She provides press and print advertising from concept, copywriting, photography and artwork, right through to the finished product.
Sue’s business is very personal; clients have commented that they enjoy speaking directly to the person creating their work. They consider her a part of their business, which she considers a privilege. Her business has thrived on the reputation of the work and service it provides. Sue loves living and working in East Melbourne which she says is like a village.
Bridgit Price
Business name: Atone Lifestyle Salon
Business address: 93A – 95 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9326 7160
Business email:
atonelifestylesalon@bigpond.com
Business website:
atonelifestylesalon.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1999
Bridgit Price started her salon and skin clinic in 1999 with a passion to succeed. Bridgit wanted to offer something different to what is typically available in the line of beauty salons. She began as an Aveda Concept Salon and has since diversified into a cutting edge skin clinic with an outstanding reputation in the industry.
The salon has expanded to include a beautiful wellness space that offers a sense of tranquillity to clients. Bridgit has a real commitment to customer care and exceptional service, provided in a conversational and nurturing way. Her clients feel that they are visiting friends.
Matthew Smith
Business name: Westend Optical Services
Business address: 8/600 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9629 1808
Business email:
matthew@eyeson.com.au
Business website:
eyeson.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1999
Matthew is a qualified optical dispenser and a partner and General Manager of Eyes On Optometrists. He joined Eyes On in 1993 and became an owner in 1999. Optometry attracted him because it was very technical and also health related. From a philosophical perspective Matthew wanted to prove that it is possible to run a successful business and maintain high ethical standards.
Matthew finds his interaction with staff, customers and suppliers the most fulfilling aspect of the business. Seeing people look great with new specs and see with perfect vision still gives him great satisfaction.
Dr Alistair Steel
Business name: Dental Health Care Associates
Business address: 4/175 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9650 2909
Business email:
enquiries@dentalhealth.com.au
Business website:
dentalhealth.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2000
Dentist Alistair Steel joined an existing practice in 2000 and has continued to develop and grow the business. The practice provides a comprehensive dental service which aims to prevent dental disease and promote dental health for all patients. They offer modern treatments and are up to date with training and continuing professional development.
The practice has a team ready to look after all dental needs in their pleasant, modern dental office. They are particularly good with anyone who is apprehensive about dental treatment and aim to establish superior dental health for all their valued patients.
Fiona Sweetman
Business name: Hidden Secrets Tours
Business address: The Nicholas Building, 702/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9663 3358
Business email:
tours@hiddensecretstours.com
Business website:
hiddensecretstours.com
Year became proprietor: 2004
An avid traveller, Fiona realised she knew nothing of her own city. In 2004 her company, Hidden Secrets Tours, was founded with publisher Michelle Mathews and has continued under Fiona’s sole ownership since 2008.
The walking tour business was the first to create a tourism option for Melbourne via its laneways, focusing on the fascinating places, stories and local businesses of contemporary Melbourne.
Fiona and her team of innovative guides share a sensory urban experience, choreographed so their clients get an insider glimpse of Melbourne, feeling the city rather than just seeing it.
Fiona won a Melbourne Award in 2008, and is a founding member of the Lord Mayors Advisory Committee.
Luke Taylor
Business name: Melbourne City Meats
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Meat Hall Shop 21, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9328 3275
Business email:
luke.taylor70@hotmail.com
Year became proprietor: 2004
Luke joined Steve Cooper at Melbourne City Meats ten years ago. They supply value-added meat, fresh product and a range of take-out home-made options.
Luke has always been involved in the meat industry and their contacts with cattle farms mean they do not have a middle man. Luke enjoys the environment at the market, the hours of 3am to 4pm and Queen Victoria Market vibe. He knows his customers well. Many of them came to his shop as children with their parents.
Hamish Turner
Business name: Classic Cruises
Business address: Berth 4 South Gate (Lower Level), Southbank 3006
Telephone: 0425 779 473
Business email:
hamishwturner@hotmail.com
Business website:
classicsteamboatcruises.com.au
Year became proprietor: 2002
Hamish Turner grew up with a love of historic steam boats, locomotives and steam rollers. Having worked on boats since he was a child he decided to work for himself. Hamish operates the only traditional ferry from South Bank, the Grower built in 1924, conducting public cruises along the Yarra River.
Hamish has been involved in the preservation of heritage vessels for many years and says that it’s hard work keeping a 90 year old vessel in good shape. Since he has had the Grower she has been almost rebuilt using traditional skills and materials.
There are plans to add two more vessels to the fleet in the near future.
Jianfeng (Jan) Wang
Business name: Melbourne Senior Secondary College
Business address: Level 6-8, 152 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9663 5998
Business email:
admin@mssc.vic.edu.au
Business website:
goodschools.com.au
Year became proprietor: [1995] 2003 within CoM
Jianfeng Wang was a university lecturer and reporter in China before coming to Australia in 1991. He began Melbourne Senior Secondary College (formally New Generation College) in 1995, as an out-of-hours coaching college for families from a Chinese background.
Initially the college operated only after normal school hours and at weekends, but from 2004 operated as a fully registered day school. They are proud to be a well-known VCE specialist school for local and international students.
In 2010 the college was a finalist in the prestigious Governor of Victoria Export Awards and in 2011 the college was the only school selected to join a delegation to China led by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
Barry Webster
Business name: TLC Digital +
Business address: 81–85 Ireland Street, West Melbourne 3003
Telephone: 03 9329 1644
Business email:
barry@tlc.net.au
Business website:
tlc.net.au
Year became proprietor: 1997
With a background in graphic prepress and printing, Barry Webster started his own business in 1997 offering one stop print shop solutions. He began without any staff and progressed through some difficult times to become a large company with three factories in NSW and employing almost 100 staff.
He sold the NSW factories to concentrate on his business in Melbourne. Barry continues to operate his business in the City of Melbourne because ‘It’s where I live, it’s where my clients live and work, it’s where I like to be.’ Barry is kept busy out of work hours by his four children.