The following business proprietors were the 10-plus year recipients of the Achievement Awards in 2023.
Amiconi Restaurant - Vincenzo Alfonso and Joe Musso
Opened in the early 1950s by the Amiconi family, this southern Italian restaurant has served homestyle cooking to people from all walks of life for over 60 years.
The restaurant was taken over by brothers Michele and Angelo in 1982 before a new partnership was made between Michele and the restaurant's long-standing chefs, Joe and Vince.
Across its lifetime, Amiconi has fed generations of returning customers and fostered a rich history by sharing great food, great friendships, and great memories.
Australian Institute of Language - Eric ZhangThe Australian Institute of Language (AIL) is a Registered Training Organisation and a CRICOS provider located in the heart of the city.
Over the past decade, AIL has built a substantial industry reputation in the English Language Teaching sector, as a NEAS quality-endorsed centre, a NAATI-endorsed course provider, and an official ETS TOEFL test centre.
The Institute is also one of the largest authorised IELTS test centres in Australasia, helping people achieve their work, study and migration goals through a computer-based and paper-based testing service.
Bluebell Bridal - Julie Collings
Bluebell Bridal, located in Melbourne's most fashionable district, offers a stylish and cutting-edge salon where brides can create cherished memories.
With a team of expert stylists, brides can expect a refined and classy shopping experience. They will be guided through a thoughtfully selected collection of contemporary and unique bridal fashion, ensuring they discover the ideal gown for their special day.
Crisp - Edward Tolfre
e and Shey Newitt
Since their first shop in April 2013, the team at Crisp have helped thousands of customers on their healthy journey, guided by a belief that when we eat good food, we feel good – both in mind and body.
More than just a salad bar, Crisp aims to put good choices within arm's reach of everyone. The award-winning business has survived a number of challenges to now have five locations in the city, serving even more Melburnians healthy, balanced fare every day.
Gallerysmith - Marita Smith
Gallerysmith is a highly regarded name in Melbourne's visual arts scene, hosting over 260 group and solo exhibitions across five gallery spaces in Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne, since they opened in 2008.
The gallery showcases a mix of internationally acclaimed and influential mid-career artists while also successfully shaping the careers of younger practitioners through a dynamic and varied exhibition program.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen on Russell - Ineke Ineke
On Melbourne's bustling Russell Street sits Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen on Russell. This exceptional Japanese restaurant specialises in hearty and delicious Chikuho noodles, Tonkotsu soup, Gyoza (Dumplings) and Chashu roast pork — all made in-house and to perfection.
For over 17 years, this ambience-filled establishment, with an interior designed by Japanese Architect Okada Tomoyuki, has drawn from a 40-year-long tradition of Yamagoya Ramen to bring Melbourne authentic Ramen, an enjoyable eating experience and a celebration of true Japanese culture.
JT. Production Management - Julia Truong and Victor Tran
Founded in 2013, JT Production Management (JTPM) is a strategic event and video production company that believes in the power of events to create experiences that bring joy, spark enriching conversation and build better communities.
Currently servicing 70+ brands Australia-wide, JTPM works with Education, not-for-profit, Health, Government and for-purpose corporate clients to deliver professional in-person, virtual and hybrid experiences with innovation, creativity and social purpose.
Le Taj Restaurant - Prabjeet Oberoi
For more than 17 years, Le Taj Restaurant has kept its West Melbourne community well-fed with a mix of traditional and contemporary North Indian meals.
Combining authentic Indian spices and techniques with the best in local produce, Le Taj offers a menu of well-loved classics like tandoori butter chicken, balti chicken and lamb rogan josh, along with house specialities including their Ghost Curry (Bhoot Jolokia curry) — believed by many to be 'Melbourne's hottest curry.'
Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana - Carmelo Bisignano
Established by the Bisignano family in 2011 from a desire to share their love for Italian food, Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana has been a popular destination for city goers since the day it opened.
Sitting proudly on Manchester Lane, Maccaroni is a lover's delight, offering authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist, including freshly made pasta like gnocchi, tagliatelle, fettuccine and pappardelle alongside hearty rustic pizzas, traditional main courses and lovingly homemade desserts.
MAMA Services - Jan Ireland
MAMA Services is Victoria's first private midwifery clinic, opening in 2011. With a vision to reduce birth trauma and stamp out postnatal depression, the Kensington clinic is a place for midwives, mothers, pregnant/birthing/postnatal people and their families and support people to access services and support.
Over the past 12 years, the clinic's passionate team of practitioners, support staff and volunteers have supported thousands of families through individualised holistic care to have positive experiences in their pregnancy, birth and early postnatal period.
Mr Meditate - Tomas Jajesnica
Founded by Tomas Jajesnica in 2013, Mr Meditate brings a positive and evidence-based approach to preventing, maintaining, and improving employee mental health.
Mr Meditate has helped over 60,000 employees develop attention, attitude, serenity, and insight. From workshops to habit creation programs, the company helps teams cultivate and enhance workplace culture and bottom lines.
Nu Times Mobiles Trading - Chi Man Lo
Nu Times Mobiles opened its stall at the iconic Queen Victoria Markets in 2006 to offer a wide range of phone and tablet accessories at affordable prices — without compromising quality.
Since then, Nu Times has built a loyal following of local customers, as well as serving the many city visitors who come in search of mobile products, services and support.
They have a particular passion for assisting customers in finding the perfect case for their phone, providing unique cases for all Australian phone models and some overseas models, too.
Rock the Wok - Phornphan Sangsereedumrong
For over a decade, Rock The Wok has treated city workers, residents and visitors alike to traditional Thai lunchboxes and noodle boxes, made fresh to order from a range of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
After outgrowing its first shop on Degraves Street, Rock The Wok moved to a bigger space on Goldsbrough Lane in 2009 and opened a second shop on Collins Street in 2013.
Despite the challenges and downturn of Covid-19, the business is enjoying fresh momentum as the city returns to life and more workers return to their offices.
Rockit Barbershop - Evan Rolton
Tucked within the 1930s art deco McPherson's building on Collins Street, Rockit Barbershop is an old-school barbershop loved by Melbourne city goers for almost 20 years.
With an interior that reflects the authentic barbershop of yesteryear and adorned with vintage barber chairs, antique barber poles, and old-fashioned grooming tools, a visit to Rockit gives its clients a sense of nostalgia and history while they are groomed to perfection using both traditional and contemporary techniques.
RW Marketing - Richard Warneke
After spotting a clear gap in the market for holistic communications solutions, RW Marketing was launched in 2011. Working with clients big and small, the team at RW Marketing believe there is no such thing as an "ordinary" business, which is reflected in the services they provide.
From branding, design, web development, photography, videography, strategy and consultative advice to brand activations and product launches, RW Marketing offers total solutions that ensure consistent, high-quality results.
Search Marketing Group - Deepak Verma
Deepak Verma built Search Marketing Group from the ground up, starting out in 2011 by cold-calling businesses from his bedroom to offer them digital marketing services such as website design, Search Engine Optimisation and Google Ads.
Eleven years later, Search Marketing Group has grown into an experienced team of digital marketing specialists that has serviced over 500 Australian businesses across the country. With results-driven and cutting-edge online marketing strategies, Search Marketing Group has become one of Melbourne's most highly regarded online marketing agencies.
Spicy Korea - Kyu Heo
Since 2012, Spicy Korea has been serving Korean home-style food to local Melbournians and city visitors from their popular shop on Little Collins Street.
Famous for their Korean fried chicken, bulgogi and bibimbap, Spicy Korea is also known for being one of the few restaurants that offer yukgaejang — a spicy, intensely flavourful and comforting Korean soup with shredded beef, glass noodles and scallions, served with red rice and kimchi.
Sbriga Espresso Bar - Mario Simeone
Sbriga Espresso Bar opened in 2013 in the legal precinct end of Little Lonsdale Street, offering a coffee-focused upmarket café inspired by the Roman espresso bars found in Italy.
After six years of solid growth, Sbriga moved around the corner to a new space at 270 King Street. This relocation was a great decision, with the new site offering a relaxed and spacious open piazza — the perfect place for early morning breakfast, casual lunches and after-work drinks.
V and J Menswear - Enrico Miolo
In 2009, V & J Menswear opened its doors on Melbourne's iconic Flinders Lane. Since then, they've been keeping their clients spoiled for fashion choices with an offering that includes Melbourne-made denim, elegant made-to-measure and off-the-shelf suiting, and a wide range of casual and formal jackets, coats, chinos and shoes.
V & J Menswear prides itself on impeccable customer service, with clients able to book an appointment to experience the old-world charm of personal styling sessions to help build their perfect capsule wardrobe. They also offer group corporate and public styling workshops in-store or at workplaces by request.