The following business proprietors were the 20-plus year recipients of the Achievement Awards in 2022.
American Rag - Eileen Carney
At a time when it has become increasingly challenging to find unique, sustainable and high-quality clothing, American Rag has offered quality second-hand clothing in Melbourne for more than 30 years.
Led by director Eileen Carney, the team source the finest American vintage – including denim, unique pieces and higher-end designer items – which are carefully styled and curated for shoppers in their Melbourne QV store and online platforms.
American Rag offers specialised jean fitting and one-on-one service to ensure every customer is matched with unique items that’ll leave a lifelong stamp on their wardrobe.
Brendan Dwyer Custom - Brendan Dwyer
Born and raised in Redcliffs Sunraysia, Brendan Dwyer moved to Melbourne and studied computer science at Swinburne before side-stepping into the city’s alternative fashion scene in the early 90s.
After completing a footwear design and orthopedic course at Collingwood TAFE, he set up his first custom footwear workshop on Smith Street before relocating to Litte Bourke Street, then to Majorca House on Flinders Lane, and finally to the Nicholas building.
Today, Brendan Dwyer Custom is a renowned name in footwear, offering contemporary fashion shoes and boots for private clients and historical and thematic footwear for theatre and film productions. He has also had his work shown in exhibitions including at the National Gallery Victoria.
Calmatronic - Phil Calvert
For more than 30 years, Phil Calvert and the Calmatronics team have been taking care of West Melbourne locals with friendly advice on lighting and a range of home tools.
This boutique independent lighting and electrical wholesaler is a bright spot on Victoria Street, having witnessed the neighbourhood’s significant evolution over the years. Carwashes have closed, and apartment blocks have risen, but all the while, Calmatronics has remained a proud local business offering good old-fashioned service.
Charles Elena Design - Sandy Tsindos and David Neilson
Twenty years ago, fresh-faced designers David and Sandy (the titular Charles and Elena, if you go by their middle names) set up shop above a restaurant in the heart of the city.
After enduring many winter months with no heating and various start-up calamities, they persevered… eventually carrying the business, and literally the furniture, across Lonsdale Street to advance their passion.
These days the human-centred agency is more creative than ever, delivering projects for tech titans, expanding globally and offering an exciting place for young designers to start their careers.
Christine - Christine Barro
Christine Barro is Melbourne’s internationally recognised and locally lauded doyenne of luxury fashion retail. Spring-boarding from her career as a buyer for legendary department store Georges, Christine opened her namesake store on Flinders Lane in 2000 before relocating to become ‘Christine on Collins’ in 2019.
Christine is a true innovator – introducing Melburnians to Fendi and Prada before Milan was even a blip on the fashion radar and delighting visitors with experiential retail installations long before the term was coined.
Christine’s exacting eye and thoughtful editing approach have seen her trusted with exclusive selling rights for many prominent designers, including Melbourne-born, Paris-based designer Martin Grant.
Dungeon of Magic - Adam Pickett
Since 1996, specialty games store Dungeon of Magic has drawn multigenerational gamers from far and wide into the basement of Royal Arcade to enjoy their unique in-store seated playing experience.
Entering the shop itself is quite an experience. As visitors descend the stairs and pass through an archway, they are greeted by a corridor of game memorabilia and fantasy banners before entering the store.
The most popular games are (unsurprisingly) Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. However, owner Adam Pickett and his knowledgeable staff are happy to introduce curious players to an eclectic array of other board games, card games and accessories, too.
Eimai Melbourne - Vivian Dourali
Eimai established here in Melbourne by designer and maker Vivian Dourali in 2002. A space that is both an atelier and retail gallery designed to disrupt the idea that women over 35 are not seen.
Vivian’s ethos is simple… Beautiful things take time, the embodiment of good design, good fit and beautiful fabrics. Eimai showcases clothing that is seen as an adornment that makes you feel special, proud and sustainable. Made in Melbourne.
Intone Photography - Tony Pierrakos
As a small child running around the laneways and streets of Brunswick and Carlton, Tony Pierrakos could never imagine that one day, 40 years later, he would be walking those very same streets with a camera in hand.
After an extensive period of travel, the RMIT photography graduate opened a QVM stall in 2001 to sell his street photography. Now, more than 20 years later, he showcases a range of new and exciting work and ideas from his container in String Bean Alley.
Tony has also recently published his first book, Still Melbourne, which features images taken during the Melbourne lockdowns and includes a foreword written by Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
Nikee Business Group Pty Ltd - Samson Brian Pereira
Since 1996, Samson Brian Pereira has successfully grown Nikee Business Group to be one of Melbourne’s leading consultancies in migration, education and employment, with services expanding to Tasmania, Sydney and Sri Lanka. In that time, Samson has consulted more than 18,000 clients locally and overseas.
He takes pride in owning a business that supports women - with a majority female workforce - and local graduates through a rigorous annual internship program. In 2020, Nikee launched its IOS & Android App – the first of its kind in the industry. Samson also supports the broader community by serving as a Justice of Peace (VIC) since 2006.
Punch Lane Wine Bar & Restaurant - Martin Pirc
In 1995, after a colourful few decades spent working his way around Melbourne’s best hospitality spots, Martin Pirc opened Punch Lane Wine Bar on a striking red brick corner just off little Bourke Street.
With its chalkboard cheese offering, impeccable wine selection and refined yet approachable menu, the cosy spot became a fast favourite with theatre-goers and wine lovers alike.
More than 25 years later, Punch Lane remains one of the city’s most popular wine bars. It is also revered as one of the original pioneers of Melbourne’s iconic laneway dining scene.
Rendina Real Estate Pty Ltd - Lou Rendina
Lou Rendina is the Principle and Founder of Rendina Real Estate Kensington, which opened in 1998.
Energetic and upfront, Lou’s passion for the industry is contagious. He couples his unmatched local knowledge with an all-encompassing perspective from his time working in many facets of the real estate industry, including sales, marketing technology, and team management.
Lou is also a proud supporter of the AFL Essendon Football Club and The Moonee Valley Festival and has helped raise more than $2 million for charities such as The Whitelion Foundation, Seeing Eye Dogs Australia, and Lost Dogs Home.
The Chicken Pantry - Janine Hunt
The Chicken Pantry is an award-winning specialty poultry shop that has served customers at the Queen Victoria Markets for almost three decades.
Providing poultry to some of Melbourne’s top chefs and featured on several international television programs, owner Janine Hunt has also been a judge at the Royal Melbourne Show for the past four years.
Janine’s poultry story began when she found herself craving a different lifestyle for her family. She and her husband abandoned their corporate life to follow their passion for food. Now, 26 years on, the pair are as passionate as ever, visiting every farm that supplies their store and ensuring they remain top of their game.
Wild Wombats Australia Pty Ltd - Lisa Hong
With over 20 years of experience selling Australiana t-shirts at Queen Victoria Markets, Lisa and her team understand the importance of having unique gifts that will last a lifetime.
That’s why Wild Wombats Australia ensures that their t-shirts are made with high-quality materials and feature memorable designs.
With collections that include Australiana and Melbourne-specific designs and a special kids range, Wild Wombats is the perfect place for tourists and Melburnians alike to stock up on souvenir tees that they’ll cherish for many years to come.
Your Jeweller - Julie Fong and Jimmy Fong
Since 1999, Your Jeweller has been providing specialist services, including jewellery making, ring resizing and remodelling, watch repairs and battery replacement, from The Capitol Arcade on Swanston Street
Owners Julie and Jimmy Fong have combined their skills – Jimmy as a third-generation jeweller and Julie as a customer service expert – with their passion for people to provide local customers with friendly, family-style service.
Like many city businesses, Your Jeweller endured some challenging times during the COVID-19 lockdowns. But, despite the difficulties, the business lives on thanks to the continued support from its loyal city customer base.