“CityNews” takes a tour of Fyshwick’s bustling business scene and speaks with some of its proudest retailers.

Take Fysh, the surname of former Tasmanian premier Philip Fysh (1877-1878 and 1887-1892), add “wick”, an Old English suffix for “dwelling place”, and it spells the name of one of Canberra’s most recognised suburbs.

First built in the early 1900s, a portion of Fyshwick was built as an internment camp during early 1918, intended to accommodate German and Austrian nationals being expelled from China. 

By the time the camp was established, the internees were no longer being sent to the Molonglo Internment Camp, as it was then known as. 

Instead it was used to house 150 World War I internees, transferred from the Bourke Camp in NSW.

Today, Fyshwick not only represents one of the biggest and busiest business hubs in the capital, but it’s also one of the most diverse, offering art, gastronomy, shopping and more.

‘Best in the business’ when it comes to safety gear

Backed with more than 90 years’ combined industry experience, the Seears Workwear team was the “biggest and best in the business” when it came to providing work safety gear and equipment, said owner Pat Seears.

“Everything is the best quality from the best manufacturers,” he said.

“We have high-vis clothing, hard hats, safety boots, gloves, safety glasses and goggles, respirators and much more.”

Having first started as a “two-bob shop in the early ‘80s”, Pat said Seears Workwear had grown to provide one of the largest ranges of workwear in Australia, including from brands such as Cat, Akubra, Rockport, Huski, FXD and Steel Blue to name a few.

The store also included workwear for chefs, paramedics and firefighters, and stocked safety work boots, leather shoes and steel-toed canvas shoes, from brands such as Puma and Dunlop.

He said Seears could also assist companies through its corporate uniform services, which provided customised embroidery services for promotional clothing and business uniforms.

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

Beth’s big thing is about small business success

Tribe Group is an “umbrella” that covers Sentry Accountants and Advisors, Stellar Super and Shield Wealth. 

As a result, bookkeeping manager, Beth Hinds, says they can cover all financial obligations in a streamlined manner, including helping small businesses with tax, accounting and self-managed super funds.

Beth’s main area of focus is helping small businesses with maintaining their paperwork, ensuring cash flow and keeping on top of their GST, amongst other obligations. As she says, these things can be easily overlooked.

“My husband has a small business, so I see the struggles that small businesses have, that’s why I became a bookkeeper,” she says. 

“I like working closely with small business owners to make sure their day-to-day paperwork and tax obligations are up to date.

“It’s something that tradies and other small businesses struggle with, because they start a business not to do the paperwork, they start a small business to do something they love.”

Beth says she and the rest of the team at Tribe Group all share a passion for helping people keep doing the work they love, and can provide all the services required to help small businesses succeed. 

Tribe Group, 25/105-119 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick. Call 6274 0400 or visit tribegroup.com.au

Margaret shares her flair and passion for art

The Artists Shed is a privately run creative enterprise that’s a gallery, art school, art store and studio, says principal artist Margaret Hadfield. 

Margaret has been a working artist in the Canberra/Queanbeyan area since 1990. 

Although not formally trained, Margaret says she honed her skills and became a self-supporting artist. 

She is an inaugural winner of the Gallipoli Art Prize and finalist in major art prizes, as well as completing many significant commissions. 

Margaret says she developed her art practice through versatility and following her passion, which she loves to share with others. 

“The Art School caters for most mediums and is a very relaxed environment to ‘play’ with paint for teens and adults,” says Margaret.

“The Artists Shed has evolved to include two studio spaces, for Doodleism artist, Benjamin van Eldik and Roseologist, a floristry studio.”

The gallery includes Margaret’s nature and history inspired paintings, such as the Branching Out series, as well as a space for Friends of The Shed to exhibit.

“The Art Store has quality art materials and hampers of art materials for art gifts,” says Margaret.

Margaret Hadfield Gallery, the Artists Shed, unit 1-3, 88 Wollongong Street. Call 0418 237766, or visit artistshed.com.au

High-end furniture at an affordable price

Canberra’s leading second-hand furniture store, Ex-Government Furniture, has something for everyone, says co-owner James Fullerton.

With a combined 50 years of experience working with second-hand furniture between James and his co-owner Taylor Radnell, James says they can help furnish any home, and to any budget.

At the moment, he says it’s a great time to get designer-brand furniture at a fraction of the retail price, as they currently have a huge range of designer items in stock. 

James says they have stock that includes some of the most high-end brands in the furniture industry, including Eames and Herman Miller.

But, for those working to a specific budget, James says Ex-Government Furniture has plenty of budget-friendly items available.

“We have some serious bargains at the moment as well as the high-end stuff,” says James.

“But with new stock arriving every week, it’s best to get in quick.”

For those looking for the ultimate deal, he says they are offering a special package for students, where a bundle of four dining chairs can be bought for just $10.

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

Denture professionals at the cutting edge

Fringe Dentures is a direct-to-the-public denture clinic that makes and fits dentures and mouthguards, and also other services such as repairs, and realigning.

“We’re embracing new technology to make sure we get the best service and quality of work, and a better customer experience,” says owner Terry McHugh.

“We’ve transitioned to digital denture and mouthguard manufacturing, which has revolutionised our processes. 

“We were doing high-quality work before, and we’re doing even higher-quality work now because of the new technology that we’re using.”

Terry says that the business has expanded to include another clinic in Hawker, as well as regional centres in Jindabyne and Gundagai.

“We’re still servicing the industry through a lot of partner dentists,” says Terry. “And you can claim through your health funds.”

“The most important thing, and the most enjoyable thing, is seeing happy customers walking out with their new dentures. 

“If you’re happy, we’re happy.”

Fringe Dentures, 3/24 Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick. Call 6239 2534 or visit fringedentures.com.au

Chris has shed loads of building materials

Chris Perkins never knows what building materials will be coming through the front door at Handyman’s Trading Post.

“We’ve got two sheds packed to the brim with new and used building materials,” says Chris, who took over the store in 2015 but has been working there for more than 25 years.

The store itself has been around for close to 40 years, and Chris believes it’s the only one of its kind in the area. 

“We have a variety of products but we do get a lot of doors in such as sliding doors, french doors, hinge doors, and front and back doors,” he says.

“We also have doors with brass handles that you can’t source anywhere else.”

At most furniture stores, Chris says it usually takes about six to eight weeks for customers to get their order but at the Handyman’s Trading Post they don’t have to wait.

“The beauty of our shop is you can see what you’re buying and take it home right away,” he says.

And Chris says if they don’t take it home that day, it might not be there the next day. 

“We get things in daily so you’ve got to get it while you can,” he says.

As for the service Chris and his team deliver, Chris says they haven’t had a complaint.

“Just have a look at our Google reviews,” he says.

“We treat everyone the same and we tell it how it is so they know exactly what they’re getting before they leave with it.”

Handyman’s Trading Post, 34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 4036 and email build@htp.net.au

‘Beautiful’ furniture for the home

Owner of Timberland Furniture Tony Purdy says he has a range of beautiful furniture that includes almost anything the home needs: bedding, dining suites, TV units, coffee tables, buffets and more.

There are four unique Australian hardwood timbers available, including Pine, Tasmanian Oak, Tasmanian Blackwood and “feature-grade” Ash. 

But for Tony, there’s no looking past the 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.

“We display [Tasmanian Blackwood] in its natural colour and you can’t beat it as far as I’m concerned.”

“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.” 

“It’s my favourite timber.” 

Timber is a more natural choice than other materials, says Tony who adds that the Tasmanian Blackwood, like their other hardwoods, can be complemented by any piece of furniture. 

Tony says they also have local and imported ready-made furniture products at an affordable price.

At the moment, Tony says the store is offering up to 50 per cent off all floorstock, so everything is on special.

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