The following business proprietors were the 10-plus years recipients of the Lord Mayor's Commendations in 2021.
AA Business Brokers – Ahmet Ali
AA Business Brokers is an award-winning practice established by Ahmet Ali – former Australian Diplomat, Licensed Real Estate Agent, and OIEC – in 2009.
Specialising in the sale of businesses and franchises throughout Melbourne, across Victoria, and New South Wales, Ahmet and his team maintain strong relationships with more than 14,000 clients and consistently provide an outstanding brokerage service to old and new customers alike.
AA Business Brokers has been a finalist in several 'REIV Business Broker of the Year' awards and is committed to continually delivering the most reliable and exceptional broker service for years to come.
Ambiance – Connie and Mel Martino
Every August, sisters Connie and Mel Martino hold their Annual Christmas Preview to showcase the latest Christmas collection available at Ambiance – a family-run gift shop with one of the largest ranges of Christmas ornaments and decorations from across the globe.
From humble beginnings in 1997, with a wooden box as a cash register, Ambiance on Elizabeth Street has evolved to become a busy, successful shop loved by locals and city visitors alike. The extensive range of beautiful collectables, including everything from the unique and unusual to the more traditional choices, make this the perfect place to browse, discover and shop, any time of the year.
Bar Lourinhã – Matt McConnell and Joanna Gamvros
Bar Lourinhã was opened in 2006 by Matt McConnell and Jo Gamvros. Tucked away at the top end of Little Collins Street, this intimate bric-a-brac lined bar was inspired by a love of Europe's bar dining culture, especially Spain and Portugal.
Chef Matt McConnell's menu showcases the best local produce, sourced directly from local farmers and suppliers, and featuring ingredients that reflect the season while following best sustainability and organic practices. An iconic dining spot for first dates, proposals and simply delicious food, Bar Lourinhã's genuine hospitality comes straight from the heart – and it shows.
Cabinet Bar & Balcony – Alan Bell and Kath Camfield
With extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a vision to create a dining experience where everyone would feel welcome, Kath Camfield and Alan Bell opened Cabinet Bar & Balcony in 2007. The pair's strong focus on friendly and approachable customer service remains true to this day.
With its cosy indoor dining space and a gorgeous balcony overlooking tree-lined Swanston Street, Cabinet Bar has become one of the city's favourite spots to enjoy delicious tapas, tasty pizza, fun cocktails and beautiful wine before or after a show, gig or festival.
Docklands Health – Michael Edgley
Driven by a desire to streamline health and healing, Dr Michael Edgley launched Docklands Health: a multidisciplinary allied health clinic offering a broad range of professional health services including chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage / myotherapy, psychology, nutrition, podiatry and pilates.
For more than a decade, the passionate team of practitioners at Docklands Health has helped address patients' often multifactorial health needs, consulting with and referring between each other to ensure clients' receive treatment that is as fast, holistic and cost-effective as possible.
The Drunken Poet – Siobhan Dooley
The Drunken Poet – fondly known as 'The Poet' – was opened in September 2006 by Irish native Siobhan Dooley. There's no fake Irish paraphernalia here; instead, the walls are adorned by portraits of poets, commissioned mainly by local artists.
With live music six nights a week, plus traditional Irish music every Friday, The Poet enjoys an eclectic clientele, all drawn by the cozy, inclusive environment and Siobhan's friendly banter across the bar.
The Poet was voted in the top 10 Best Irish Pubs outside of Ireland by The Irish Times – the only venue in Australia to make the list.
EARL Canteen – Jackie Middleton and Simon O'Regan
From humble beginnings as a little sandwich shop in 2010 to one of our city's best-loved lunch spots, EARL Canteen is owned and operated by Jackie Middleton and Simon O'Regan.
With their own EARL Restoration blend coffee alongside sandwiches, salads and sweets, the menu selection is packed with locally sourced ingredients and is freshly made in-house every day. Friendly customer service and a reliable range of fast, healthy and delicious food are at the heart of EARL Canteen's continuing success.
Fetching Events & Communications – Georgie Stayches
After more than a decade working on major international events for a number of private, government and not-for-profit organisations, Georgie Stayches made a conscious career decision to focus on the community sector.
In 2009 she launched Fetching Events and Communications: a boutique agency specialising in end-to-end management of live, hybrid and virtual events, campaign and project delivery, volunteer engagement and communications.
Since then, Georgie and the Fetching team have helped bring to life various exciting projects for NGOs, community services, profit-for-purpose, education and sporting associations, always driven by a commitment to making a real difference in the community.
Flex Sports Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates – Naomi Fyffe
Flex Sports Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates have restored movement, relieved pain and supported active Melburnians since 2008.
From runners and cyclists to corporate workers, mums, athletes and everyone in between, the team are renowned for their thorough and empathetic care.
Starting initially as just a single practitioner and treatment room, Naomi Fyffe has since grown the business to become a thriving health care practice, with a loyal client base who love the peaceful, light-filled studio space and the personalised healthcare the Flex team provide.
I C Fashion – Iris Chan Zhang
With a passion for fashion and newly obtained degrees in both accounting and marketing from RMIT, Iris Chan Zhang took the plunge and opened her own store in Melbourne's iconic Queen Victoria Market.
Now, having run I C Fashion for over 13 years, Iris and her family are proud to continue serving local customers, city and overseas visitors with an ever-changing range of essential and highly fashionable accessories.
Iris loves her QVM store and the opportunity it gives to meet people from all over the world, listen to their stories, and help bring their fashion visions to life.
Jasmine Fraser
Since 2006, Jasmine Fraser has been designing and creating beautiful, timeless jewellery from her light-filled studio in the heart of Melbourne. Jasmine specialises in engagement, wedding and special occasion jewellery, crafting each piece lovingly by hand from a variety of precious metals and gemstones.
Her warm, personal approach and outstanding skill in both design and manufacturing draw clients from across the country, where they can see the start to finish process of each original piece made on-premises.
Jissara Hair – John Gissara
Jissara Hair was Kensington's original barber. It was established by John's father, Ray, in 1954 and was taken over by John in 1998.
Once in the driver's seat, John changed the business name to his family name and gave the salon a modern update, including an extensive range of retail products.
Since then, John has continued to evolve the business to keep in step with the changing times and industry. He has amassed a loyal client base of Kensington locals and loves to be a part of the community where he was born and raised.
Khokolat Bar – Damion de Silva
Positioned in Melbourne’s iconic Hardware Lane, Khokolat Bar is a basement venue known for hosting popular club nights, live music events and a range of private and corporate functions.
Khokolat Bar brings people together in a friendly social setting and we proudly have had the pleasure of being a meeting ground where couples have met, celebrated their hens and bucks nights and also their wedding parties over the years.
Khokolat Bar is a venue that appeals to a mixed clientele base, and is a place where everyone is made to feel welcome. We also proudly hold Melbourne’s longest running RNB night every Saturday night, which has been running for 17 years. We look forward to continuing the business and bringing the people of Melbourne together for many years to come
Kozminsky Studio – Kirsten Albrecht
For 170 years, Kozminsky has provided fine jewellery and objet d'art to the city. Founded by Polish immigrant Simon Kozminsky in 1851, Kozminsky was purchased by Kurt Albrecht, a German emigre, in 1969.
Since then, the Albrecht family have proudly upheld the original vision as a place of beauty and style across several studio relocations — from Little Collins to Bourke Street, and now, to Collins Street.
Today, Kozminsky Studio is run by Kirsten Albrecht and Dat Van. Kirsten' son, William, always plays a part in the business, hosting regular Kozminsky Conversations: creative journeys that connect participants with the world's great jewellery houses and styles across the centuries.
La Petite Crêperie – Michael Gatta-Castel and Patrizia Maselli
Michaël Gatta-Castel and Patrizia Maselli opened their first La Petite Creperie on Hardware Lane in 2008. Shortly after, they expanded their footprint – famously converting a disused newspaper kiosk into an 'exquise crêpe bâtiment,' the first of its kind in Melbourne.
La Petite Creperie has quickly become a city icon with its lively, friendly atmosphere, irresistibly sweet scent, and eye-catching kerbside locations. Michael and Patrizia are proud to have now shared their unique Parisian flavour with the hearts of Melbourne for over a decade.
Leanne Cain & Associates – Leanne Cain
In 2003, Leanne Cain set out to create a smaller, more personal alternative to the large law firms where she had previously worked. She established a boutique practice at 20 Collins Street, where she remains now, almost two decades later.
Accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria in 1989 as a family law specialist, Leanne and her team service clients from metropolitan Melbourne, regional Victoria, interstate and overseas, offering compassionate, comprehensive advice and expert solutions in all aspects of family law. Leanne also lectures to professionals, academic institutions and other groups upon request.
The Little Royal – Mary and Andrew White
Set upon the checkerboard tiles in the iconic Royal Arcade, The Little Royal was established by husband and wife team, Andrew and Mary White, in 2011.
The small purpose-built kiosk serves a handpicked selection of artisan specialties, including macarons by local patisserie La Belle Miette, ranked the most delicious in the world by Conde Nast Traveller. They also offer luxury tea from master blenders, Harney and Sons, and beautifully crafted fine bone china teaware from local designer Cristina Re.
The Little Royal is a favourite spot for locals, tourists and anyone looking for the perfect little treat or gift.
Lord Coconut – Mark Boldiston
When launched in 2011, Lord Coconut was Melbourne's only men's jewellery store, and it continues to be the go-to place for Australian handcrafted jewellery for men.
Born out of a love of locally made and a desire to expand Melbourne's vertical retail market, Lord Coconut has supported more than 75 local designers and artisans through jewellery and art-based initiatives linked to Melbourne's major festivals.
While the retail store is currently closed, Lord Coconut continues to inspire customers and support local artisans through their online shop.
The Melbourne Headshot Company – Andrew Campbell
The Melbourne Headshot Company has been operating in the city for more than 20 years. From their original spot in Bennetts Lane to Block Court, and now in a custom-designed studio and art gallery in Little Collins Street, the company provides corporate photography to more than 180 organisations and 1600 individuals every year.
Owners Andrew and Robyn Campbell have received numerous awards for their work. They have built a solid reputation for credibility, leadership, and confidence in portraiture and have been entrusted with taking portraits for prime ministers, premiers, and CEOs across the country.
Michelangelo Osteria – Ilaria Paiella
Michelangelo Osteria started on July 2010 with Ilaria Paiella and her husband, Matteo Paoletti Teodori. In the same year their son Michelangelo was born. Both from Italy, they met in Melbourne in 2007. Both have extensive experience in hospitality and love to reproduce Italian original recipes and promote Italian food culture in Melbourne.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday and the pair have been organising Italian-style Aperitivo nights since 2011, which has become popular and well-known among the new Italian community.
Additionally, once a month they serve an Italian Regional Dinner, where they aim to match local regional dishes with the same regional imported wine. There are many regular customers who love to feel as if they are transported to the heart of Italy.
MISS FOX Melbourne – Victoria Fox
They say your path 'chooses you' and this was exactly what happened for me at MISS FOX Melbourne. One day the vision entered my mind… and within no time I was touring the space I had imagined on Little Collins Street, the beautiful fit-out had manifested, and the dream team was assembled. In fact, we had people walking up our stairs asking for treatments before we had even designed the menu!
What I love about our business is the amazing energy of our space – it’s luxurious and welcoming, where soft fluffy socks go perfectly under the chandelier… with a glass of champagne in hand, of course.
We’ve served movie stars, sports pros, music idols and everyone in between, but our favourite guests have to be the beautiful loyal souls that have been visiting us for up to 10 years.
Thank you for your support Melbourne, we adore you.
NatPost Business Centre – Donna Newman
Donna Newman and her daughter Shae, run Natpost Business Centre at 585 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. She was born and raised in Melbourne, growing up in the western suburbs and is married with 6 wonderful children. Donna has lived most of her life in Melbourne with the last 22 years living within six blocks of their Little Collins Street location where she has been for 17 years.
The business was started the business after Donna returned from the USA in 2010. Donna had used a similar service there for two years and thought that, with a little tweaking, it could work in Melbourne.
Donna loves meeting new customers, and putting faces to names that had previously only been email signatures.
Optimal Health Exercise Physiology – Yujin Lim
Yujin Lim is passionate about empowering people to live better lives through movement.
Recognising the powerful role of exercise as medicine, he created Optimal Health in 2010 to give people with medical conditions and injuries the chance to rebuild their bodies, health, and life through movement.
Along with his team – all masters-level qualified exercise physiologists – Yujin loves changing people's beliefs about what their bodies are capable of and unlocking their potential to lead a richer and more meaningful life.
Red Pepper Restaurant – Jagjeet Kaur
Located in the landmark Bourke Hill precinct near the Parliament House, Jagjeet opened Red Pepper in 2006 to share the deep passion for cooking she'd gained from spending time in kitchens right across India.
Red Pepper has transformed since its beginnings – from a 24-hour-a-day 'pay at the counter' casual eatery to a relaxed, lively restaurant with full table service.
Wooden floor, Himalayan prints on wood-panelled walls, Nordic design luxury chairs and Finland-made lamps are a perfect backdrop for enjoying a glass of wine with signature authentic Indian dishes.
The Royal Melbourne Hotel – Nick Grigoriadis
Nick has owned the Royal Melbourne Hotel (RMH) for 15 years and loves coming to the RMH. Because of the diversity of people and types of events they can offer from two people to 1000 people.
RMH has evolved into a multifaceted venue which can cater for up to 1000 patrons, food, music and clubbing. Customers love the personal family service with corporate capabilities.
RMH has a historic attachment being the first city west police station and lock up and is a historically listed building. The RMH still has the original lockup cells which are used as private dining spaces, and for other events. Retired police still come to have reunions and reminisce and young people find the cells fascinating.
Self Preservation – Anitsa Connor
70 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Shelley Roberts Architects – Shelley Roberts
Shelley Roberts has lived in the city for almost 30 years and has been helping others enjoy life here too by designing beautiful homes for over a decade.
Shelley Roberts Architects works at the intersection between architecture and interior design, with a unique appreciation of space and light – aspects often scarce in her studio's city projects.
Shelley is passionate about her work and loves nothing more than demolition day, where the true beauty of a building is often revealed. As she says, 'An apartment's best asset is having good bones.'
Soul2Sole Healthcare – Peter Rentoulis
Since 2000, Peter Rentoulis – a myotherapist and workplace wellness expert – has been helping Melbournians unwind, destress and rehabilitate.
Soul2Sole's purpose is to look after people who are in physical pain. To achieve this, Peter provides a range of services from his Little Collins Street studio and goes on-site to provide workplace massages and corporate health seminars.
His vision is to expand Soul2Sole's offering even further into the corporate wellness sector by educating Melbournians about overuse injuries and burnout via hands-on and interactive workshops.
Vertigo High Access Specialists – John Dollisson
Vertigo effectively started operations in 1991 when a builder called in to buy some climbing gear to install lightning prevention systems and was persuaded to get the climbing on the site done professionally. This work was done at the VicRoads Office in Carlton and progressed onto church steeples and other facilities around Melbourne.
Vertigo was instrumental in forming the earlier version of the Australian Rope Access Association and was the first company in Australia to undertake rope access commercially.
The company has worked around the world including installing the world’s largest outdoor sign at the time on Hong Kong’s Skyscraper IFC 2 for the Financial Times.
From 2001 Vertigo set up a dedicated training centre at the North Melbourne Warehouse where they still sit today.
Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd – Mary Ann Jackson
In 2005, Mary Ann Jackson merged her architecture practice with her late husband's optometry practice to create Visionary Design Development. While their punny name might draw smiles, Mary Ann and her team take their work very seriously.
The award-winning transdisciplinary practice recognises people with disability as rights-holders and is committed to making the world a more accessible place. They work alongside individuals, business, NGO/NfPs, and government across all procurement, design, and delivery stages to create environments, both existing and new, that are people-centric and accessible.
Yarra River Business Association Inc. – Tim Bracher
The Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) was established in October 1998 to bring together the burgeoning business and tourism community of Southbank and the Lower Yarra River.
Serving as Executive Officer for 22 years, Tim Bracher has worked with eight presidents and numerous long-serving board members to integrate, connect and market the Yarra River Precinct. Together, they have helped create Melbourne's most vibrant tourism and dining hub.
In its third decade, the YRBA continues its strategic planning with key stakeholders and looks after the needs of its 150 business members, big and small.
YNJ Migration Consultants – Yapit Japoetra
Since 2006, YNJ Migration Consultants has provided a direct, down-to-earth voice of support to anxious migration clients in the city.
Offering high-quality guidance that is both personal and affordable, director Yapit Japoetra brings more than 18 years of experience in the migration industry and more than 20 years experience in the education industry to give his clients peace of mind throughout their immigration process.
Yapit is a registered migration agent and member of the Migration Institute of Australia.