The following businesses were the 2014 Gold recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations.
John Beckwith AM RFD
Business name: Beckwith Cleverdon Rees
Business address: 294 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9654 2466
Business email: johnbeckwith@bcrlawyers.com.au
Business website: bcrlawyers.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1972
The practice was established in the 1860s by William Cleverdon. John Beckwith joined as a partner in 1972.
The practice had several name changes and then in 1990 became Beckwith Cleverdon Rees. This name reflects the different merged histories embodied in the practice. The present partners are John Beckwith and Ashley Beckwith.
The practice’s city location is close to the courts and other commercial entities they deal with and accessible for clients.
John received a Lord Mayor’s Silver Commendation in 2006.
Michael Caiafa
Business name: M and G Caiafa
Business address: Queen Victoria Market, Stall 66 – 70 Dairy Produce Hall, North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: 03 9379 9749
Business email: caiafamichael@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1974
Michael’s late wife Grace was working at the Queen Victoria Market in 1974 when a business came up for sale. At the time, the shop mainly sold cakes and a small amount of bread. Michael introduced confectionary, dried fruits and other dried goods.
Over the years they have grown with all the trends and now have one of Melbourne’s highest bread sales for a retailer. They once sold 1000 ciabattas in one day. They have also been making peanut butter in the stall for 40 years.
The business and the market are part of the Michael’s family—he loves the combination of work and community.
Norma Cramer
Business name: Cecil Walker Cycles
Business address: 395 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9600 9000
Business email: cecilwalkermelbourne@ozemail.com.au
Business website: cecilwalker.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1968
Cecil Walker established this business in Elizabeth Street in 1938. Maurice Cramer also began working there in 1938 at the age 14. When Cecil died in 1968 he left the business to Maurice and Norma.
Norma had two young sons at home at that time, so began working full time at the shop in 1972. She worked in both sales and bookkeeping full time until early 2013 and now works a few days each week. Cecil Walker Cycles has always been the mecca of cycling in Australia.
Norma received a Lord Mayor’s Silver Commendation in 2006.
Gary Johnson
Business name: GR & WA Johnson Pty Ltd
Business address: 909/125 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9654 6620
Business email: gary@garyjohnson.com.au
Year became proprietor: 1971
Gary Johnson has been a diamond setter since 1968. On leaving school Gary became an apprentice in his father’s business. After his apprenticeship, at the age of 22, Gary started his own business and has now owned the business for 43 years. During that time Gary has added commercial engraving to his diamond setting business.
Gary’s client base is in the central city and he has purchased the freehold to his studio. Over the years Gary has seen the jewellery trade go from mass production to one-off pieces.
Sisto Malaspina
Business name: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar
Business address: 66 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9662 1885
Business email: malas@bigpond.net.au
Year became proprietor: 1974
Pellegrini’s opened in 1954 and was the first coffee bar operating in Melbourne with an Italian espresso machine. It quickly became popular, serving an array of pastas and good coffee. Sestilio (known as Sisto) Malaspina bought Pellegrini’s in 1974, with business partner Nino Pangrazia.
Sisto was born in Italy and has called Melbourne home for the past 51 years. He loves this vibrant city with its great theatres, fashion and friendly people. Pellegrini’s has provided him with the opportunity to meet Prime Ministers, famous actors, artists and interesting people from all walks of life and from around the world.
Sisto received a Lord Mayor’s Silver Commendation in 2007.
Nino Pangrazio
Business name: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar
Business address: 66 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone: 03 9662 1885
Business email: bjpang@bigpond.com
Year became proprietor: 1974
Food was always an integral part of Nino’s European family’s life on the Mornington Peninsula. After working for several well-known Melbourne food businesses, Nino became a co-owner of Pellegrini’s in 1974, purchasing the business from his father’s friends Vildo and Leo Pellegrini.
Nino is passionate about food and enjoys mixing with Pellegrini’s varied clientele. He is proud of Pellegrini’s place in Melbourne’s history and its international fame. He has been a member of Restaurant and Catering Victoria for over 30 years, was one of the original working members of the Bourke Hill Traders and is an Ambassador for Cleaner Melbourne.
Nino received a Lord Mayor’s Silver Commendation in 2007.
Fortunato (Lucky) Rocca
Business name: Rocca FJ Gold & Silversmiths
Business address: 153 Elgin Street, Carlton 3053
Telephone: 03 9347 4091
Year became proprietor: 1973
Fortunato (Lucky) Rocca was born in Italy and came to Australia as a seven year old in 1952. He started his working life as an apprentice gold and silversmith in Thornbury in 1963.
Lucky grew up in Carlton and in 1973 bought an established business in Elgin Street, around the corner from his father’s grocery shop so that he could be close to home.
Lucky loves his work and has had some interesting commissions including making a rose bowl for Princess Anne’s wedding. He made the Melbourne Cup trophy, first in 1968 with his then employer and then continued the tradition until 2000.
Robert John Watt
Business name: Watt’s Corner Shoe Store
Business address: 264 Lygon Street, Carlton 3053
Telephone: 03 9663 2805
Business email: wattsshoestore@gmail.com
Year became proprietor: 1965
The Watt family has been making, selling and repairing shoes on the corner of Grattan and Lygon Streets since 1895.
Bob Watt’s grandfather started in 1895 as an apprentice to Billy Luttgens who owned the business. He bought the business, then later sold it back to Mr Luttgens and then his son bought it back in the 1930’s. Bob took over the business from his father in 1965.
The shop retains its traditional appearance and the business is well known for its customer service. Bob is a prominent member of Calton’s community. He was Chair of the Carlton Community Centre and Carlton Community Health Centre, helped with Skillshare and was involved in the widening of footpaths to introduce outdoor dining; helping to make Carlton what it is today.