The following families received 2011 Generational Lord Mayor's Commendations.
The Chitty family
Business name: Rabbit Packers (Melb) P/L t/as Happy Tuna Seafood
Business address: Shop 27, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9329 7072
Year company began: 1920
Happy Tuna Seafood is a fourth generation family business that started life at the Queen Victoria Market in 1920, processing and selling rabbits. In 1981 two families merged, continuing to sell rabbits from two shops until 1996-97, when the introduction of calicivirus to rabbits made the product unviable. Both rabbit shops were converted to sell fresh fish and Rabbit Packers (Melb) Pty. Ltd. became Happy Tuna Seafood. Today, this bustling Queen Victoria Market shop is famous for the freshness of its product and for its friendly and knowledgeable staff. Happy Tuna Seafood has received good feedback from customers online, with many mentions of the respect it shown for its products and clear labelling. There is special mention for its selection of sustainable fish from the better choice category in Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide, published by the Australian Conservation Society. It has also been said that this is one of the most popular stands for Melbourne chefs. Happy Tuna Seafood has its own custom-made ice chipping machine that produces a constant stream of ice that rains down on the fish. Its current proprietor, Wayne Chitty has been with the family business since 1981 and he receives a Silver Commendation in this year's program.
The Funnell family
Business name: Mirror Paints P/L
Business address: 110 Dynon Road, West Melbourne 3003
Telephone: 03 9376 0447
Business email: pete@mirrorpaints.com.au
Business website: mirrorpaints.com.au
Year company began: 1890
Mirror Paints is Australia's oldest paint shop, situated in Melbourne's inner west. It is a fourth generation family business which began its life around 1890 in South Melbourne. Originally called S Smith & Co Pty Ltd, the business moved to Kensington in 1910. Sam Smith from Birmingham, England, arrived in Melbourne to start a new life. He rented a hay and corn store at Browns Hill from a Mrs Radcliffe. The area is now known as Dynon Road, South Kensington and the iconic building of the shop and factory is still located there. Sam was a skilled varnish maker and gum runner and he began by producing a range of varnishes, driers and oil based paints. The manufacture of pigments such as chrome yellows, prussian blue, chrome green and carbon black continued until the late 1950s. Varnish and resin making was by open pot method over open hearth furnaces up until about the same time. After Sam died in the 1930s the business was run by his son Sam Jnr and step-daughter Victoria, who was the current owner's grandmother. In the 1960s Victoria' son, Fred Funnell, took over the family business and under his direction the company weathered the social and economic changes of the 1960s, 70s and 80s by diversifying the type of products it sold. Swimming pool chemicals and gardening hydroponics became stock in trade, along with its extensive range of quality domestic and industrial paints. In the mid 1990s Fred's son, Peter, became the fourth generation to run the business. Peter Funnell is a silver recipient in this year's Lord Mayor's Commendations program.
The Shave family
Business name: Shave Human Resources
Business address: 3/179 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9600 0522
Business email: duncan@shavehr.com.au
Business website: www.shavehr.com.au
Year company began: 1960
In 1960 Jim and Sue Shave established Shave Personnel Group of Companies. They were one of eight original founding members of their industry body, Recruitment and Consulting Services Australia and are one of the few original recruitment firms still operating in Victoria. Jim and Sue's son, David, joined them in 1971. Shave Human Resources became the first continuously family owned recruitment firm in Australia to enter the third generation when their grandson, Duncan, purchased the business in 2008. Since its inception, the company has operated in the City of Melbourne because it is a central and prestigious location with easy access for its many clients throughout the greater Melbourne metropolitan area. For more than five decades the business has provided quality, tailored services in all aspects of human resources, through customised human resources products and services, including the recruitment of staff in all disciplines across all industries. An integral part of the company's success is its motto, 'Personal, Professional, Responsible," which supports its philosophy 'that people are an organisation's most valuable resource' and 'reputation, integrity and relationships are more valuable to our business than profit maximisation'. Duncan Shave receives a Silver Commendation in this year's program.
The Shiel family
Business name: Kelly & Shiel Estate Agents
Business address: 59 Pelham Street, Carlton 3053
Telephone: 03 9671 4111
Business email: ds@kellyshiel.com.au
Business website: kellyshiel.com.au
Year company began: 1859
William Levers (1818-1901) was born in Limerick, Ireland. Defying his family's wish for him to become a doctor, he joined the navy at age 15. After an eventful decade of naval life, he retired from the sea and settled in Dublin as a merchant. William and his wife, Mary Harrison, migrated to Australia with their six children, arriving in Melbourne in 1855. In 1859 William started a real estate business in Cardigan Street, Carlton, trading as William Ievers and Sons. The Ievers firm was one of the largest in Melbourne and flourished in the 1870s and 1880s. In 1880 eldest son, William, joined his father's firm as a partner. William Jr. was the first in the family to win an election for the City Council in Carlton South in 1881, a seat he held until 1895. William was Member for Carlton South from 1892 until his sudden death in a rowing accident in 1895. Second son, George, also joined the firm and on his father's death in 1901, filled the vacant seat on the Melbourne City Council. George erected a memorial statue to his father in Argyle Place, Carlton. George's own statue is at the corner of Gatehouse Street and The Avenue in Parkville. Through Molly MacArthur Bourke, who married an Iever descendant and was one of the first female real estate agents in Melbourne, subsequent members of the family have kept the business alive. The business name changed to Brian and Howard Kelly Estate Agents when fourth generation brothers, Brian and Howard Kelly, took over. In 1975 Damien Shiel entered his uncle's business, becoming owner in 1981. The business is now known as Kelly and Shiel Estate Agents. Damien is a silver recipient in this year's Lord Mayor's Commendations program.
The Wittner family
Business name: Wittner's Aust P/L
Business address: 127-9 Cremorne Street, Cremorne 3121
Telephone: 03 9428 1900
Business email: david@wittner.com.au
Business website: www.wittner.com.au
Year company began: 1912
Brief biography Wittner's is a name that is synonymous with women's shoes and accessories. Wittner Shoes was founded by HJ Wittner, who opened the first store in Footscray in 1912. Wittner began as a family footwear retailer. HJ Wittner believed that a business would grow and prosper if its customers were satisfied with the service provided and quality footwear was offered at the best value for money. Almost a century later his business still flourishes. A third generation of the family, three grandchildren, Michael, Peter and Debra, are now at its helm and actively involved in the management of the company. In 1921, Wittner was the first company in Australia to sell shoes by mail order, a fore-runner of 21st century online retailing. It was also the first to introduce X-Ray fitting machines that enabled customers to see if footwear was correctly fitted to their feet. The company has expanded to more than 67 stores located in all states of Australia, and it has maintained a continuous presence in Melbourne's central city since 1926. The family takes pride in being an Australian company that creates shoes explicitly for women who are young at heart. HJ Wittner's business philosophy of customer satisfaction being the result of good service, quality products, and value for money is as true now as it was in 1912 – and it can be applied to most businesses. The Wittner family looks forward to its 100th anniversary in 2012, and plans to see women 'Walk the Wittner Way' for the next century and beyond. David Wittner, Chairman, has been in the family business since 1950. David was honoured in the Queen's list of awards on Australia Day when he became a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to business, particularly footwear retailing. David is pleased to accept the Generational Commendation on behalf on his family.
(All photographs courtesy of van der Toorren Photography, Block Arcade Studios)