This week “CityNews” speaks to some of Fyshwick’s proud business owners who love sharing their skills and services with the region.

NAMED after Sir Philip Fysh, a Tasmanian politician who helped bring about Australia’s Federation, Fyshwick has been a suburb in Canberra since the 1920s. 

Almost a century later, the suburb is still known for being one of the ACT’s most diverse business hubs, offering everything from home and car items to creative services.

This week “CityNews” speaks to some of Fyshwick’s proud business owners who love sharing their skills and services with the region.

An eclectic range of second-hand furniture

LEADING second-hand furniture provider Ex-Government Furniture has something for everyone, says co-owner James Fullerton.

“We’ve got chairs for as low as $2, through to Herman Miller chairs, the most sought after executive chairs money can buy,” he says.

“We’ve also got some single-seater lounge chairs with a chrome aluminium base and some new couches.”

With a quality range spanning a wide variety of time periods and styles, James says people can find items suited to any home or office.

“We’re picking up some stuff from the ‘50s, right through to the contemporary, latest model of chairs on the market today,” he says.

“Whether it’s a lounge, a desk, or something else, we’ve got a heap of interesting items and objects here to see.”

The business, which has been operating for more than three decades, has become a well recognised part of Fyshwick and James says the suburb is more and more becoming “the place to be”.

“There’s heaps of great bakeries and cafes out here,” he says.

“We see heaps of people making a day out of their visit to Fyshwick, as there’s always something to eat, to drink and to see.”

Ex-Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com

Father-son team stock the ‘best quality’ workwear

WITH more than 30 years of providing quality work clothes to the Canberra region, locally-run Seears Workwear knows what working people are after, says owner Pat Seears.

Stocking work apparel such as high-vis workwear, jackets, jeans, shoes and hats, Pat says: “Everything is the best quality from the best manufacturers”.

Located on Barrier Street, he says their stock includes safety work boots, leather shoes and steel-toed canvas shoes, from brands including Puma, Rockport and Dunlop.

It also has workwear for chefs, paramedics and firefighters, says Pat, who runs the business with his son Shane, and says they know the needs of local businesses and supply many Fyshwick businesses with their work uniforms.

They can also assist companies through their corporate uniform services, which provide customised embroidery services for promotional clothing and business uniforms.

Seears Workwear also has stores in NSW and Queensland, and Pat says they deliver all over the country.

Seears Workwear, 60 Barrier Street. Call 6280 4111 or visit seearsworkwear.com.au

Shared passions for quality gin

ESTABLISHED in 2017, Big River Distilling Co creates artisan spirits of uncompromising quality, says chief beverage engineer, Clyde Morton.

“Last year Big River was approached by the Lotus Dining Group in Sydney with an idea to create a novel gin that would amplify the flavours of Chinese cuisine,” he says.

“Identifying a shared passion, both teams trialled what would eventually become the finished product – Big River’s x Lotus’s Mandarin Gin.

“Mandarin Gin’s dominant flavour is fresh Australian mandarin peel, which marries perfectly to the five spices of Chinese cuisine: szechuan pepper, star anise, fennel, cinnamon and clove, which overlay the juniper and coriander base gin.”

Clyde says the process was deeply collaborative: “Lotus Dining Group came to us to create a unique Chinese-inspired gin to serve at their seven Sydney venues. We were all very happy with the result. Aromas can be quite evocative – when I tasted the first batch, I pictured myself standing in a Chinese kitchen.

“We have a particular favourite serving at present – our Mandarin Sonic, which features the Mandarin Gin plus a 50:50 serve of blood-orange soda water and a salt-infused tonic water.

“Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it is the perfect place to try a range of spirits, go on a tour and catch up with friends over a G&T in our beautiful bar.”

Big River Distilling Co, Tenancy 3, Building 3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick. Call 0490 038457 or visit bigriverdistilling.com.au

Offering a large range of quality flooring

ENDEAVOUR Carpets offers the largest range of top-quality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien.

Established in 1970, and still a family run business, Taylor says the business has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, timber, laminate and hybrid flooring, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

Taylor describes their Fyshwick-based showroom as Canberra’s “greatest floor show” with thousands of samples on display, and an experienced team of flooring specialists to make the customer’s experience as easy as possible.

“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send their customers to view our huge range of top-quality floor coverings,” she says.

“As a family business, Endeavour Carpets appreciates that customers are spoilt for choice in a competitive marketplace, and so maintain an objective to offer the best service and products available and for the best possible price,” she says.

When customers visit Endeavour Carpets, Taylor says they experience a good, old-fashioned service from a long-standing, local family business.

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” she says.

“At Endeavour Carpets, we don’t just endeavour, we do.”

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132 or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au

Hardwood furniture for any home

SINCE 2003, Timberland Furniture has provided the Canberra community with a beautiful range of Australian hardwood furniture, says owner, Tony Purdy. 

“We have almost anything the home needs: bedding, dining suites, TV units, coffee tables, buffets and more.” he says.

“If anybody in Canberra wants furniture, Fyshwick is the place to be, but what makes Timberland stand out is that we’re locally owned and operated.”

He says size is often an issue for clients, so whether it’s a TV unit, bookcase or buffet table, Timberland Furniture can custom-make furniture to fit the space.

“We customise the size of a particular piece to meet the customer’s requirements and they choose the timber,” he says.

Included is a range of Tasmanian Blackwood, one of Australia’s most beautiful and sought after timbers.

“Tasmanian Blackwood is a prestigious hardwood with a warm and natural colour,” he says.

“It can adorn different rooms of the house, and can be complemented by any piece of furniture. You can’t beat it as far as I’m concerned.” 

Tony says his strong appreciation for Australian hardwood came from his short career in the NSW forestry commission.

Timberland Furniture, 100 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 7411, or visit timberlandfurniture.com

Damian’s got auto repairs covered

“WHEN it comes to specialised auto repair and maintenance services, no one does it better than Latin Motors,” says owner Damian Jones.

“We’re a European car service and repair centre. We specialise in Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Saab but do service all other European makes and models.”

Having moved from Townsville Street to a repair centre in Gladstone Street last year, Damian says no matter how minor or major car repair needs are, he has it covered.

Being both factory-trained in Audi and SAAB and having 18 years of experience in all European vehicles, he says he prides himself on providing reliable, honest and efficient customer service and information.

“I notify of any additional work required prior to it being carried out. You will be liaising directly with the mechanic who is working on your vehicle,” he says.

“I use premium German made and manufacturer approved Ravenol lubricants. When you come to me, you can rest assured that I can provide auto services in accordance with your car’s manufacturer requirements that do not affect new car warranties.”

Latin Motors, Unit 6, 106 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 5586 or visit latinmotors.com.au