The following business proprietors were the 20-plus year recipients of the Achievement Awards in 2023.
For more than 30 years, Advanced Composite Structures Australia (ACS Australia) has delivered high-value engineering and manufacturing solutions for composite materials and advanced structures.
From their Port Melbourne headquarters, the highly skilled team — led by Paul Falzon — are recognised as leaders in Australia’s composites technology industry, having worked on a wide range of development programs and commercial contracts with major companies, research organisations and government entities.
Bistrot d’Orsay - John Tully
From its conception in 1996, French-inspired restaurant Bistrot d'Orsay has been located in the picturesque 'Paris end' of Collins St, serving its French bistro classics, delicious desserts and award-winning wines.
With its dark wood panelling and ambient soft lighting, Bistrot d'Orsay boasts one of Melbourne's best views, sitting opposite the beautifully ornate Regent Theatre. The expertly prepared French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients and attentive and knowledgeable service has made Bistrot d'Orsay a favourite for locals and visitors alike.
Bottega - Denis Lucey
Bottega, at the leafy end of Bourke St, has been a favourite amongst theatre-goers, wine-lovers and long-lunchers since 2002.
A cosy restaurant with stylish leather booths giving it a New York feel, Bottega is perfect for a romantic evening, a quick pre-theatre dinner, a long lunch or a late supper.
Bottega's reputation is based on its seasonal menu, executed perfectly by Axel Archenti and the kitchen team, and its extensive wine list.
Carlton Yacht Club Bar - Andrew Leonedas
Opened in 2002, the Carlton Yacht Club is a premium cocktail bar in Lygon Street’s bustling Italian restaurant precinct. It is the only lounge bar in the area, offering an extensive menu of hand-crafted signature and classic cocktails and an extensive back bar of spirits, craft beers and wines.
With its fun nautical theming, late licence, and a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, the Carlton Yacht Club is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors to eat, drink and watch the world go by.
City Basement Books - Verity Mathews
City Basement Books provides an underground treasure trove of old, weird and wonderful secondhand books on Flinders Street.
After taking over the business in 1999, Verity Mathews began the never-ending task of computerising the shelves to bring the bookshop not only to Melburnians but to the rest of the world too.
Sourcing books from everywhere and anywhere, City Basement Books weathered the Covid downturn to become more popular than ever, drawing customers in droves, all fuelled by their search for a good read.
Hells Kitchen - Russell Tarbett
Hells Kitchen – known as ‘Hells’ to regulars – has been pumping out the pints and good vibes since before laneway bars were a thing in Melbourne. Since 2001, this laneway institution has been a regular haunt for many of the city’s colourful misfits, artists, musicians and general riffraff.
Tucked away in its prime but an easy-to-miss spot above Centre Place lane, Hells runs as a cafe during the day before switching into a moody bar at night, drawing a cool mix of clientele to enjoy the unpretentious food, great booze, and window views.
Jungle Juice Bar - Annabelle Sheppard and Marcus McNamara
Since 1999, Jungle Juice Bar has been Melbourne’s original hole-in-the-wall cafe. Tucked into a tiny space that has been a haven for artists, students and city workers on Centre Place, it has been an integral part of the prosperity of the city’s famous laneway culture for more than 23 years.
Jungle Juice is renowned not only for its bagels and coffee but also for its nostalgic Golden Book bound menus– drawing crowds of customers every day who jostle for one of the highly prized outdoor seats or perch alongside a repurposed table tennis table.
Kathmandu Cottage - Laxmi Gurung
For 25 years, Kathmandu Cottage has provided modern and classic Indian and Nepalese dishes from their warm dining space in West Melbourne.
Restaurant guests are invited to order from the menu or try a little of everything from their all-you-can-eat buffet selection, with all-authentic dishes expertly prepared by their dedicated kitchen team.
With other locations available, Kathmandu Cottage also offers venue hire and function services, from birthday events to corporate dinners.
Kinki Gerlinki - Anthony Patton
For more than 22 years, Kinki Gerlinki has been recognised as one of the city's most iconic boutiques, selling cutting-edge fashion to a diverse range of loyal customers. From their bright beacon of a shop in Centre Place, Kinki Gerlinki is a destination for people wanting an alternative to larger stores.
The shop specialises in small runs of clothing and accessories from around the world and recently has moved into ethical clothing to reflect their values and those of their customers, too.
La Camera Southgate - Lino Scidone
La Camera offers a touch of Italy in the heart of Melbourne’s sports and entertainment precinct, within walking distance to popular attractions such as The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre and NGV.
The restaurant boasts two balconies with stunning views over The Yarra and iconic Flinders Street Station, nestled between the riverside treetops on Southgate's mid-level.
It’s the perfect spot to unwind and escape while enjoying authentic Roman-style pizzas, risottos and pasta with an emphasis on quality ingredients and fresh, seasonal produce.
Lonsdale Clothing Alteration - Igor Iskhakov
Igor Iskhako emigrated with his family in 1989 from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. With a graduate diploma in fashion design and production, Igor saw a need in the city to provide quality alterations and bespoke tailoring.
He opened his business, Lonsdale Clothing Alterations, in 2000 in the iconic Nicholas building, and since then, he has been proud to continually improve his craft and the quality of his work.
My Mac (Australia) - Steve Bardel
For over 20 years, My Mac has been Melbourne’s local Apple expert. The shop opened in its iconic Flinders Street location in 2001 amid the bustling redevelopment of Federation Square. Since then, My Mac has provided local businesses and residents with the latest technology as an Apple Authorised Reseller and premium support as an Apple Authorised Service Provider.
The certified Apple technicians are ready to provide advice and solutions for Mac, iPad, iPhone or Apple watch, including genuine Apple screen repairs for the most popular iPhone models.
Oriental Tea House - David Zhou
Oriental Teahouse, a celebrated Chinese tea house and renowned dining institution, began its journey in Melbourne in 2003. For 20 years now, David Zhou and his team have served premium-quality Chinese teas and a unique take on dim sum dishes from their popular Little Collins Street location and their second outpost in South Yarra.
With a menu that offers both the best of both modern and traditional Chinese cuisine, Oriental Teahouse strives to provide a contemporary interpretation of the quintessential Chinese tea houses, all while paying homage to the rich culture and tradition of Chinese tea.
Peter Andrew Barrett - Peter Andrew Barrett
Peter Andrew Barrett is an architectural and urban historian. His interest in Melbourne’s architecture and urban environment began at an early age, from time spent as a child at various old city buildings tenanted by his family’s small business.
After graduating from the University of Melbourne in architectural history and conservation, Peter established his heritage practice in the city in 2003. He has worked on an array of heritage projects in Australia and overseas, and he regularly writes about Melbourne and its urban history.
His office is based in the Paris End of Collins Street, where the street’s beautiful architectural legacy and its urbane character provides great inspiration for his work.
Rendina Real Estate - Lou Rendina
Rendina has been a driving force in Melbourne's real estate market since it was founded in 1998. The company started as a sales agency before evolving to offer a complete property service, with an ever-growing team of experienced professionals delivering real estate services across Sales, Property Management and Commercial.
With a commitment to customer-centric real estate, Rendina Real Estate has grown into a thriving business providing top-of-the-line real estate services to its customers across Melbourne.
Rubino & Associates - Vito A. Rubino
Vito Rubino started his accounting and taxation business in March 1991 in a small office on Errol Street, with a vision of assisting individuals and small to mid-sized businesses with their tax affairs.
After a period of expansion, the company was relocated to a bigger office space on Spencer Street. Rubino & Associates has diligently served the local community from this prime city location. At the same time, the business has continued to thrive and grow, drawing diverse clients from across the city, state and country.
The Blender Studios - Dr Adrian Doyle
Blender Studios is the oldest art studio in the city. An independant urban and fine art space, Blender has become a major cultural institution in Melbourne's vibrant contemporary arts landscape. It has been a creative hub for emerging and established artists worldwide.
The studio provides affordable workspaces and resources for artists to create and exhibit their work and opportunities for collaboration and community engagement through events and workshops.
Blender Studios supports artists in their careers and has created an important and vibrant art community that has benefited many Artists from local to national to international.
Top Image Jewellery - Jenny Hagidimou
Since 1995, Top Image Jewellery has sold diamonds and fine jewellery, including engagement and wedding rings and other unique gifts, at wholesale prices to the public. From their shop on Little Collins Street, their experienced jewellers handcraft beautiful pieces and provide restoration, remodelling and repair services.
The award-winning family-run business proudly aligns with several local charities and donates its time and products whenever possible. Owner Jenny Hagidmou and her team love what they do and their customers — who all come purely through referrals.
Treviso Bar & Dining - James C. L. Valentini and Julie M. Valentini
Treviso Bar & Dining started in March 2003 with a simple offering of Italian food and a handful of local wines and beers, with an emphasis on warm personal service. Today, the restaurant has become a lunchtime and private dining institution in one of the city's most iconic laneways.
With their team of long-term staff, owners James and Julie Valentini now offer an extensive menu of finely prepared, super fresh Italian dishes alongside an international cellar with hundreds of wines, beers, liqueurs and spirits.
Tribal Tastes Foods - Adekunle Joseph Adesua
In 2002, Kunle Adesua pioneered the world's first African Deli in Melbourne's iconic Queen Victoria Market. A unique offering amongst the popular market stalls, Tribal Tastes specialises in African-inspired ready-to-take home meals, South African specialty products, smoked meats and fish, and African cuisine ingredients and spices.
Kunle and his team produce all products themselves, using many ingredients from their fellow stall-holders to create healthy, nourishing and tasty meals.
Vistek - Valdis Svars
Vistek is a structural engineering firm that was founded in 2000. Regarded as signage and mass timber industry specialists, Vistek has always emphasised providing an inclusive working environment, nurturing growth and collaboration.
Owner Valdis Svars has built the business underpinned by a vision of the future of structural engineering based on excellence in design and deep partnership that moves the industry forward to a low-carbon and more sustainable model.