The following businesses were the 2014 Silver recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations.
John Annert
Business name: Flowers Round the Hours
Business address: Corner Little Collins and Swanston Streets, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9650 5578
Business website: flowersroundthehours.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1987
John Annert started selling flowers from a roadside stall on weekends in 1975. John wanted to be self-employed in an occupation he enjoyed and took over the flower stall in front of Melbourne’s Town Hall in 1987.
The stall had been operating since the early 1900s and at the time was only open during office hours. John extended the trading hours to well into the evening and at busy times he operates 24 hours a day.
John says the city is a fantastic place for business and he loves working in such a vibrant atmosphere. John received a Lord Mayor's Bronze Commendation in 2007.
Marcia Baer
Business name: El Gringo trading as Jeans World
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, J Shed 100, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9348 9080
Business email: baer.18@bigpond.com
Year became proprietor: 1981
Marcia and her husband Soul are from South America and met in Europe. After travelling extensively they immigrated to Australia and have owned and operated Jeans World at Queen Victoria Market for over 30 years.
Marcia and Soul sell menswear—mostly unique and retro t-shirts which they design and print in Melbourne. Marcia's enthusiasm and motivation means she loves her business and the culture at the market.
Soul Baer
Business name: El Gringo trading as Jeans World
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, J Shed 100, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9348 9080
Business email: baer.18@bigpond.com
Year became proprietor: 1981
Soul Baer came to Australia in 1978. Inspired by market trader, Sam Makovski, Soul established his own shop at Queen Victoria Market.
Along with his wife Marcia, Soul sells t-shirts, jeans and accessories. A loyal agent that they have partnered with for over 20 years travels with Soul on annual international buying trips. Soul has a passion for the market and their business has become a landmark.
Jim Baruta
Business name: Quists Coffee
Business address: 166 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 9650 1530
Business email: quists@quistscoffee.com.au
Business website: quistscoffee.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1989
Quists Coffee was established in 1938 as Melbourne's first coffee roaster and brings over 75 years of coffee knowledge and a passion for excellence to the trade. Quists operates from its original location in Little Collins Street.
Jim Baruta joined Quists in 1989 as a coffee roaster. Quists Coffee is roasted daily in a custom built warehouse with a state of the art roasting plant from Italy and delivered to the shop. Jim is thrilled to be part of the heritage of vibrant, cosmopolitan and energetic Melbourne. Jim received a Lord Mayor's Bronze Commendation in 2007.
Agazio Bressi
Business name: G & C Fresh Produce
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Stall B61 – 63, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9363 5450
Year became proprietor: 1978
Agazio Bressi followed his heart and came to Australia after meeting Carmel in Calabria. They have had a stall selling vegetables in Queen Victoria Market for over 30 years.
Their customers tell them it is the best stall in the market where they can buy produce that’s not always available elsewhere.
They are well known in Asia as most tourists photograph Carmel and Agazio in the store.
Carmel Bressi
Business name: G & C Fresh Produce
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Stall B61 – 63, North Melbourne 3051
Business email: carmelbressi@gmail.com
Telephone: 03 9363 5450
Year became proprietor: 1978
Carmel Bressi worked at ANZ bank before joining her husband Agazio at a vegetable business at Queen Victoria Market. Carmel’s father had a stall at the market selling fruit.
Carmel and Agazio sell mainly seasonal vegetables and fruit. Customers tell them that their store is the best in the market and it has featured in a weather commercial on Channel 7.
Carmel gets in to work at 3.00am and starts to merchandise the store, she loves making it look good and she loves her customers. Market management use their store as a model store.
Tony Cattafi
Business name: La Spaghettata Restaurant
Business address: 238 Lygon Street, Carlton 3058
Telephone: 03 9663 6102
Business email: bookings@laspaghettata.com.au
Business website: laspaghettata.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1982
Tony Cattafi arrived from Italy with his family in 1960 with nothing but a suitcase. With hard work and determination, he and his wife Giovanna established one of Melbourne’s most loved Italian restaurants and the first pasta house in Australia.
Set in a beautiful Victorian terrace house in the heart of Lygon Street, La Spaghettata is a charming and warm place which serves quality old school Italian food.
The family tradition continues with son’s Fabio and Mauro also involved in the business. As well as running the restaurant, Tony and Fabio have been entertainers in show business for over 30 years.
Xenia Charalambous
Business name: Shear Wool
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, K Shed Stall 31–32, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 0414 836 743
Business email: shear.wool@hotmail.com
Business website: shearwool.net.au
Year became proprietor: 1989
Xenia was a refugee from Cyprus who started at the market 35 years ago. Xenia took over from her husband 25 years ago and the business became her sole source of income to support her four children. After trading initially only on weekends, Xenia now trades every day the market is open.
Shear Wool sells a range of products including seat covers, sheepskin rugs, steering wheel covers, seat belt covers, kangaroo skins and cow skins.
Xenia has direct access to skin suppliers which gives Shear Wool a price advantage over traditional retailers, and the flexibility to meet special requests from customers. Her Australian animal skins are sold to many international customers.
Stephen Cooper
Business name: Melbourne City Meats
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Meat Hall Shop 21, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 9328 3275
Year became proprietor: 1986
Stephen Cooper is a sheep farmer who started his career in the meat industry working at Newmarket Sale Yards. He established Melbourne City Meats in Queen Victoria Market 28 years ago. For many years Steve commuted daily from Torquay. He and his partner Luke Taylor, who is also a farmer, originally stocked the shop with red meat from their farms.
Recently, owing to changing market trends, Melbourne City Meats changed its business focus from red meat to poultry, including value added products and oven ready lines.
Steve and Luke pride themselves on providing consistently high quality products with great customer service.
Saverio Fazio
Business name: Saff’s Hairdressing
Business address: Shop 17, Port Phillip Arcade, 228 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9654 5152
Year became proprietor: 1988
Saverio took up hairdressing on the advice of his father who was a barber and hairdresser.
The salon in Port Phillip Arcade was established in the 1960s and had two owners before Saverio purchased the business in 1988. Saverio’s uncle also worked in the salon in the 1960s.
Saverio loves the culture of the city which provides him with a diverse clientele.
Saverio received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2007.
Jacqui Fernandes
Business name: Jacqui Fernandes
Business address: Shop 7 Collins Place, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9650 1070
Business email: fernkemp@bigpond.net.au
Year became proprietor: 1989
Jacqui Fernandes studied Fashion and Textiles at RMIT, then worked designing garments and fabrics for various Australian fashion labels. She wanted to use her own talents and creativity so established her business in 1989.
Jacqui has had three shops in the city, in Howey Place, Collins Street and now in Collins Place. She specialises in fine quality day and evening wear. Her styling is contemporary and is complemented by her large range of designer French handbags, silk scarves and jewellery.
Jacqui is a true Melbournian, although originally from overseas, she lives and works in the city.
Nubar Hosikian
Business name: Ararat Jewellery
Business address: Suite 908, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9654 7584
Business email: nubar@araratjewellery.com.au
Business website: araratjewellery.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1980
Nubar Hosikian undertook his jewellery apprenticeship at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and continued his trade after immigrating to Melbourne from Turkey in 1973. He worked for other businesses before establishing his own jewellery manufacturing business in 1980.
Nubar opened his first workshop in the Capitol Building and worked by himself while the business gradually expanded. He hired extra staff as he began serving some of Melbourne’s best known jewellery establishments.
Being located in the city has allowed Nubar to cater to businesses in both the central city and surrounding areas.
Dr Mary Ida Bagus
Business name: Warung Agus
Business address: 305-307 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 3003
Telephone: 03 9329 1737
Business website: warungagus.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1989
Dr Mary Ida Bagus, waitress, writer and anthropologist, and her Balinese husband Agus, established Warung Agus in 1989.
This family business has firm roots in the local West Melbourne community. They support local businesses and shops at Queen Victoria Market for fresh supplies that include exotic spices and flowers.
Warung Agus is a place to relive a holiday in Bali, discuss cultural and political aspects of Indonesia and enjoy exquisite cuisine.
Longevity means that Mary and Agus have hosted three generations of diners and according to their loyal followers they are one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets.
Mary received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2011.
Agus Ida Bagus
Business name: Warung Agus
Business address: 305-307 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 3003
Telephone: 03 9329 1737
Business website: warungagus.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1989
Agus Ida Bagus, chef, musician, artist and local identity, created a Balinese Restaurant with his wife Mary, in what was then the sleepy community of West Melbourne.
They opened Warung Agus in 1989 as an extension of their Balinese Banquet catering business. Agus and Mary have continued developing and serving the deliciously unusual flavours of Bali to local, national and international diners. They are a family business which has firm roots in the local community including Queen Victoria Market.
Agus’s recent appearance in the Ketut and Rhonda advertisement created big news in the market and amongst their friends.
Agus received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2011.
John Jalowicki
Business name: Westend Optical Services
Business address: 8/600 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9629 1808
Business email: john@eyeson.com.au
Business website: eyeson.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1981
John Jalowicki is an optometrist and the founding partner of Eyes On Optometrists. The business began in 1981 in Little Bourke Street and has grown to seven practices, with three stores in the central city.
At Eyes On they are committed to providing honest, independent advice and eye care. Many of their optometrists have undertaken additional studies and are able to prescribe a wide range of medications to treat common eye conditions.
John has interests in the area of contact lenses, therapeutics and computer related vision problems. Eyes On has remained completely independent in the face of strong competition from large multinational businesses.
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Winfried (Vinni) Kohlleppel
Business name: Living With Diamonds
Business address: Suite 505, 343 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9670 9851
Business email: livingwithdiamonds@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1988
Vinni Kohlleppel developed his passion for jewellery design and manufacture while spending time with his jeweller uncle during his childhood. He was very excited to start his own business in 1988 after working in the industry for a couple of years.
Vinni designs and manufactures for private clients and the jewellery trade. He enjoys developing new designs and watching jewellery take form from start to finish. He has been commissioned to create pieces for theatre and cinema productions.
Vinni began in the Century Building and now has his own studio in Little Collins Street. He enjoys being part of the broad jewellery community in Melbourne.
Ross Lloyd
Business name: Perfect Setting
Business address: Suite 904A, 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 0414 554 882
Business email: rosspeterlloyd@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1989
Ross Lloyd began his career working with a large jewellery manufacturer in Melbourne. After learning the trade of diamond setting he decided to open his own business, Prestige Settings, in a partnership. He has since become sole proprietor of the business, now called Perfect Settings and provides a high level of service to major retail jewellers in Melbourne.
Ross considers Melbourne a vibrant progressive city and his position opposite the Town Hall gives him great satisfaction. Ross once set 52 diamonds in a black lace gown which was worn to the Logies by actor Anita Hegh.
Ross received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2006.
Michael O’Neill
Business name: East Melbourne Consulting Group
Business address: 12 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 9416 0185
Business email: moneill@cbdhealth.com.au
Business website: cbdhealth.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1988
East Melbourne Consulting Group is a Psychology Consulting practice with expertise in trauma management. The business began in East Melbourne in 1988 providing psychology counselling to industry, families and individuals.
They established a 24 hour counselling service for train drivers following critical incidents such as fatalities and collisions. They provide critical incident management training, counselling and mediation services.
Dr Andrew Moulton
Business name: Jowett and Moulton Chiropractors
Business address: Level 2, 50 Market Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9629 1016
Business email: admin@jandm.com.au
Business website: jandmchiropractors.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1988
Andrew Moulton and his colleague, Frank Jowett, began their chiropractic practice in the old API building at the west end of Collins Street in 1986. They started in the central city because they were attracted to the location’s energy and the abundance of hard working office personnel. They subsequently moved to the corner of Collins and Williams Streets before purchasing their current premises in Market Street in 1995.
Andrew estimates that they have provided over 200,000 individual treatments to their patients since they started. They have long established relationships with their broad range of patients, including many office workers and others who travel in from the suburbs.
Julie 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: 1987
Julie Pham and her husband William, began trading at Queen Victoria Market 27 years ago. Although she would have preferred a ladies clothing business, Julie took up the market management’s offer of a sock store.
Initially they stocked a generic product but needed a point of difference from other traders so found a local Italian manufacturer who produced high quality products.
Julie and William’s son Bruce joined the business in 1991 and the family have continued as a presence in the market with three stores supplying their customers who are unable to buy their niche products elsewhere.
William 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: 1987
The Pham family has a retail business specialising in hosiery, socks and thermal wear at Queen Victoria Market.
William and his wife Julie had various jobs after arriving from Vietnam as refugees. Then they approached market management with Julie’s idea of a women’s clothing business. They were told there were too many ladies clothing stores at the market so took the opportunity to open a sock shop. They are designers of high quality cotton, woollen and bamboo Australian made socks and also stock Korean made hosiery.
William has been at the market for 27 years and has loyal customers who keep returning for his unique speciality products.
Andrew Pyman
Business name: Pyman’s Pharmacy
Business address: 84 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne 3002
Telephone: 03 9419 4464
Business email: pymanphy@bigpond.net.au
Business website: pymans.com
Year became proprietor: 1987
The business which is now Pyman’s Pharmacy began in 1897 and was purchased by Andrew’s father in 1952. Andrew spent time in the pharmacy when he was a child doing deliveries and cleaning bottles. He became proprietor of the pharmacy in 1987 while he was finishing as a trainee mature age pharmacy student. Andrew’s grandfather also worked in the business until well into his 80s.
Pyman’s is a small boutique pharmacy that provides one-on-one service and care. Andrew enjoys chatting and interacting with his customers and discussing the issues of the day.
Andrew received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2008.
Malcolm Riddle
Business name: Wordpower Co.
Business address: The Block Arcade, Suite 209, 282 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 9654 8981
Business email: malcolmriddle19@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1989
Malcolm Riddle began Wordpower in 1989, drawing on skills gained as a mature age student with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Drama, as well as his life and business experience.
Malcolm has provided writing services to answer a wide range of needs over the years. He has written columns for Melbourne’s daily newspapers and for specialist papers focusing on arts-related topics and profiles of arts personalities.
He has helped many Melburnians to compose everything from advertising brochures to wedding speeches; job applications to funeral eulogies. The central city has provided him with an ideal environment to conduct his various business enterprises. Malcolm received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2006.
Joe Stolarek
Business name: Victoria Market Communications
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, F Shed Shop 4, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 9383 2525
Business email: joe.stolarek@gmail.com
Business website: vicmarketcommunications.com
Year became proprietor: 1982
Joe Stolarek began his retail career part-time in a menswear shop while he was in secondary school. In 1980, while studying at university, he started selling electronics and gadgets with a friend, Ted Chwasta. They traded at two stalls at the market for over ten years.
Joe took over the second stall and after several moves within the market has been trading from his current shop since 2005.
Products sold have included Rubiks Cubes, Tamagochi, 10 melody watches and remote controlled cars. Joe loves the market and its daily diversity. His two daughters have both worked part-time in his shop and he is now seeing third generation customers.
Peter Strich
Business name: Peter Strich Stamps & Coins
Business address: Shop 5, 257 Collins street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9639 9777
Business email: sales@peterstrich.com.au
Business website: peterstrich.com.au
Year became proprietor: [1979] 1989 within CoM
Peter came to Australia in 1969 as a political refugee from Czechoslovakia. His collecting interest led him to part-time coin and stamp dealing until in 1989 when he and his wife Seija, acquired Peter Strich Stamps & Coins. They are certified traders in stamps, coins and accessories offering an excellent range of worldwide material for any collector from beginner to connoisseur.
They are accredited distributors for the Royal Australian Mint and Perth Mint and sell the latest issues at mint issue prices. Melbourne is the Australian hub of the stamp and coin trade and attracts both local and international customers.
Peter received a Lord Mayor’s Bronze Commendation in 2008.
Lee Tambouras
Business name: Triple S Motors
Business address: 69 Whiteman Street, Southbank 3006
Telephone: 03 9699 4649
Business email: lee@triplesmotors.com.au
Business website: triplesmotors.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1987
Lee Tambouras, with two partners, began Triple S Motors in 1987 in a small building with three bays. Lee took over as sole proprietor in 1995 and now operates out of an 1100 square metre building with ten bays, a spare parts department and a reception office. In 2007 he added a car hire business.
Triple S specialises in prestige cars and has never advertised in twenty-seven years – word of mouth has carried them through tough times. His business is in a great location and his customers appreciate the convenience of driving to work in the city, leaving their car for servicing at Triple S and picking it up on their way home.