The following business proprietors were the 10-plus year recipients of the Achievement Awards in 2022.
Asian Beer Café - Stewart Koziora and Anna Carosa
Since 2007, Asian Beer Café has given Melbourne's university students a place to eat, drink and dance the night away without breaking their budget.
Husband and wife team Stewart Koziora and Anna Carosa set out to create a place that would cater to the city's young adult population, and this purpose has remained central to Asian Beer Cafe ever since.
Located on the third level of Melbourne Central, the popular bar blends modern style with a classic 1920s Shanghai aesthetic featuring authentic teak furniture and a huge balcony overlooking the State Library Victoria.
Clementine’s - Melanie Ashe
Clementine's was founded in 2011 by Melanie Ashe. From its iconic location in Degraves Street, the colourful store celebrates Victoria's artisans and growers with an eclectic and ever-changing selection of locally-made gifts, souvenirs, homewares and fine foods.
The Clementine's team are passionate about supporting small business and are proud to provide the perfect place for Melburnians and city visitors to shop, discover and indulge in locally made treats.
Dr Zamani Dental Practice - Dr Leila Zamani
Dr Leila Zamani has always wanted to look after people's health and wellbeing.
Born in Iran, she set out initially to study medicine but ended up studying dentistry instead. She migrated to Australia in 2003 and, after transferring her qualifications, started practising dentistry here in 2005.
In 2007, Dr Leila Zamani took over an existing practice in William Street, where she established a loyal following of clients. Recently, her practice moved to a new Bourke Street location, where she continues to look after the dental health of the city's residents and workers.
Father’s Office - Stewart Koziora and Anna Carosa
Speakeasies were the prohibition's worst-kept secrets. Today, one decade after husband and wife team Stewart Koziora and Anna Carosa opened Father's Office, it seems to be just the same, with a bustling clientele of regulars and new patrons drawn in by the quintessentially Americano take on gangster glamour.
Old-world opulence shines from the classic tin roof and art deco lighting, while beer and cocktails are poured from custom-made copper taps over an industrial wrap-around bar.
Father's Office is located on the corner of Swanston and Little Lonsdale Streets and pays tribute to an era of style, elegance and underground good times.
Golden Monkey - Adam Ong
In 2005, Chartered Accountant Adam Ong took a turn to the dark side when he decided to open Golden Monkey: part Oriental drinking den, part Shanghai 1920s nightspot.
Since then, Golden Monkey has provided the ultimate hedonistic escape on Hardware Lane. A bright-neon sign reading "Going Down Feels Good" guides patrons down a staircase into a basement adorned with red lanterns, oriental furniture and a maze of ornate wooden screens.
With Asian-inspired cocktails and delicious bar snacks, the bar gives each night a unique twist with an eclectic mix of Shibari nights, live music, and DJs.
Golden Square Car Park - David Man Kit Yu
Located within the heart of the city, Golden Square Car Park provides safe parking and convenient access to China Town, Melbourne Central, Emporium, RMIT University, QV and Bourke Street Mall.
The business is part of Ausvest Holdings and the Yu Family group of companies, operating under CEO and Managing Director David (Man Kit) Yu.
Originally from Hong Kong, David Yu immigrated to Australia in the late 1980s and established Ausvest to expand the Yu Family businesses, including property development and management, restaurants and hospitality, digital entertainment, and car park operations and management.
Grafico Group Pty Ltd - Damian Corney
In 2004, design student Damian Corney took a university project and grew it into a nationally recognised brand: Grafico.
The fast growth of his business saw Damian quickly relocate from his home office in Carlton to a large warehouse in North Melbourne.
From here, Damian and his team have served customers for more than a decade, while their popular online shop caters to those around the world. Grafico became a household name after the appearance of their custom print wallpapers and mosaic tiles on The Block, however, the brand's offering also includes Grafico-Auto (vehicle wraps, vehicle signage) and Grafico-Signage (commercial signage).
IGA Express Southbank - Jeff Harper
Located in modern Southbank, IGA Xpress Southbank has been caring for and looking after its local community for over 10 years.
With a vast selection of daily sundries through to delicious gourmet goodies and specialty items to choose from, Jeff Harper's welcoming staff offer their customers recommendations on their products and a helping hand where they need it.
The eclectic liquor range has made IGA Xpress Southbank the go-to stop for those on their way to dinner parties or events.
Jissara Hair - Kelly Gissara
From her country childhood to her home now in the city, Kelly Gissara has always loved helping people look and feel amazing.
As a schoolgirl she started helping out at the local salon on Saturdays and then went on to qualify as a stylist. In 1998, Kelly began working at Jissara Hair in Kensington. She felt immediately at home in this community which she says feels like "a country town in the middle of a city."
Jissara Hair has evolved over the years, while Kelly has brought up her two sons on the salon floor and made lifelong friends with clients and neighbours alike.
JKN Migration Consultant - Jimmy Kosan
After working in the migration industry for five years, Jimmy Kosan started his own business – JKN Migration Consultant – in 2011.
The office relocated to Little Collins Street in 2014, where it remains today, providing immigration advice and visa application services to individuals and businesses in the city.
The company has helped many clients migrate to Australia, bringing valuable skills to the community while allowing immigrants to enjoy life in Australia. They also help international students with enrolments and accommodation, and provide ongoing support to ensure their adjustment to Melbourne is easy and enjoyable.
Koskosan - Adji Baskoro and Yudo Baskoro
Founded in 2011 by the two brothers, Adji Baskoro and Yudo Baskoro,
Koskosan is a one-stop-shop for relocation services.
The pair specialise in providing turn-key accommodations and delivering personalised relocation support, ensuring their clients have quick, easy, and smooth relocation experiences.
The concept for their business started when Adji was helping his friends find accommodation when moving to Melbourne. Discovering that there was no easy, central process to do this, Adji and Yudo uncovered a gap in the market and launched Koskosan to make international relocations and accommodation less complicated.
Melbourne Headache Centre - Roger O’Toole
Since opening in 2012, director Roger O'Toole and the Melbourne Headache Centre team have relieved thousands of people suffering from chronic migraines, headaches, and vestibular and vomiting disorders.
The centre uses a unique and effective manual therapy desensitisation technique known as the Watson Headache Approach.
With a growing reputation for excellence, Roger and his team treat patients and host therapists from all over the state, country and world. They have also collaborated with universities in clinical research, demonstrating the effectiveness of treatment and keeping the centre at the cutting edge of patient care.
Motion City Development - Yik Muoa Hong
For over 10 years, the founder of Motion City Development toy shop, Yik Muoa Hong, has provided children of all ages with an eclectic array of toys in Queen Victoria Market.
With an extensive selection of quality gifts and curiosities also available, Motion City Development has been the place to go for unique items and an attraction for tourists since 2011.
San Telmo - Dave Parker and Jason McConnell
With its heady mix of Argentine bodega vibes, charcoal grilling and Melbourne dining chic, San Telmo offers a passionate celebration of food, family, friends and fun.
Since opening 11 years ago, San Telmo has become a Melbourne institution being awarded the 'best steak in Melbourne,' but it's the ambience that really keeps people coming back. Here, in true Argentine tradition, each mealtime is an event.
Co-owners Dave and Micky Parker and Jason and Renee McConnell are proud to share their love and passion for food, wine and culture with Melbourne diners. The group are also co-owners of newer city restaurants: Pastuso, Robata, Palermo and Asado.
Petal Back Clothing Pty Ltd - Linda Dugan
Following a career as a buyer and designer for a significant Melbourne retailer, Linda Dugan identified the need to create clothing for those with limited mobility after her Nana suddenly lost her independence.
She made a unique design that keeps the wearer's needs first and foremost, which caring healthcare professionals instantly accepted.
Linda's clothing slides off and on without harsh fastenings or the need to move shoulders, elbows, or arms. The thoughtful design also helps carers, making it easy to remove and re-dress gently and eliminating the need to struggle against any resistance in the dressing process.
ReWine - Marshall Waters
ReWine is Melbourne's refillable Wine Merchant.
For more than a decade, the ReWine team have sourced wines from across Australia and worked with winemakers who share their sustainable vision for the future. Their wine bottles are made from recycled glass, which customers can repeatedly use.
The ReWine philosophy is simple: buy a bottle, take it home to enjoy, and then bring it back to be refilled at a discounted price. All ReWine wines are also available for tasting, ensuring that customers always get the perfect wine.
True Thai Massage - Michael Wright and Tae Panuktong
True Thai Massage was established in 2009 by Tae Panuktong and Michael Wright. The Hardware Street business presented a new concept: a family-friendly, contemporary brand focused on therapeutic massage. And customers loved it.
Over 13 years, True Thai Massage has amassed a loyal customer base and opened three more branches across Melbourne – with their 'True Fusion massage' becoming a resounding hit.
Even when faced with the Covid-19 lockdowns and many staff returning to Thailand, the Hardware Street gem has persevered and continues to massage strong in our city today.
Twenty & Six Espresso - Rongrong Wang
Tucked away on Queensberry Street in bustling North Melbourne, Twenty & Six Espresso has given customers a home away from home for more than a decade.
This popular little cafe serves up delicious plates of homely food for the soul and exceptional coffee, with a seasonal menu using local produce from the nearby Queen Victoria Market.
The welcoming courtyard and herb garden is the perfect place to soak up the sun and spend time with friends and family – and their dogs, of course!
Wendy Scully Millinery - Wendy Scully
Wendy Scully started out selling handmade beanies and winter hats from a small market stall at the Arts Centre Markets. Today, she is a well-known and highly respected couture milliner in the Emporium Melbourne, with her hats worn by clients worldwide.
From within her colourful art gallery-style shop, Wendy designs and makes each hat herself, with clients custom ordering creations for many events – from racewear to runways and photoshoots.
To each hat, Wendy brings more than 40 years of creative design and teaching skills to create a totally unique, one-of-a-kind piece of wearable millinery art.
Zip Zip Wax - Nikki Vriends
Nikki started her professional life working at Myer and Lancome as a beauty therapist. A decade later, she spotted a gap in the market and established Zip Zip Wax: an express waxing salon for Melbourne's CBD.
In a Melbourne-first, Nikki pioneered an online booking system to cater to busy clients and steadily built her sole-trader business until COVID-19 forced her closure.
Never one to be kept down, Nikki relocated and renovated, re-opening a fresh, bright and inviting salon just in time for the end of lockdown. Since then, Zip Zip Wax has continued to be the first port of call for thousands of customers from all walks of life, including celebrities.