The following business proprietors were 50-plus years recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations in 2019.
Marea Bright – Marea Bright Exclusive Milliner
As a child, Marea Bright recalls her mother being fitted for a beautiful hat in the Block Arcade. It was then she set her heart on being a milliner, and dreamed of one day opening her own hat shop.
She graduated with a Diploma of Millinery in 1964 and, in 2008 her dream was realised with the opening her boutique hat salon in Collins Street.
Marea’s years of expertise and reputation have formed a loyal customer base that come from far and wide to enjoy her personalised service and beautiful works of art.
Charles Kovacs – K&K Export Import
Charles has operated businesses in the City of Melbourne for close to 60 years.
A chance meeting with an opal dealer while having a coffee at Pelligrini’s gave Charles his start in the gemstone business in 1964, and lead to founding K&K in 1968.
More than 50 years later, K&K is a leading wholesaler in all types of coloured gemstones, coloured diamonds, opals and pearls supplying businesses throughout Australia.
Now, at 82 years of age, Charles is still active in the business, walks to work most days and enjoys fostering and encouraging younger clients and colleagues within the industry.
Neville Spielvogel – Paint`n Powder
Established in 1968 by Neville Spielvogel and his late wife Diane, Paint 'n Powder is situated in Australia's oldest shopping arcade, the Royal Arcade.
For more than 50 years now the family has run olfactory ‘Aladdin’s Cave’, filled to the brim with unique accessories and boasting Melbourne's largest collection of classic and niche perfumes.
Together with his daughter Abbie, Neville continues to run the shop today, ensuring Paint'n Powder remains an adored shopping destination for generations of both city residents and visitors alike.
Bob van der Toorren – Block Arcade Studios
From his prestigious Block Arcade Studio on Collins Street, Bob van der Toorren has been providing high-quality photography services, including portraits, framing and restorations, since 1978.
His career began with a part-time job at Herbert Smalls Camera Store, followed by studies at RMIT where he was the first ever student to graduate with an Associateship Diploma in the field and was the first photography student to be awarded the John Storey Memorial Scholarship, two years in a row.