CityNews speaks to some of the local experts who have mastered their craft and are passionate about sharing it with others.

Noted American educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom once said experts are always made, not born.

If that’s true, Canberra’s certainly helped make more than a few experts.

Whether it’s wanting to improve health, get pampered, learn a new creative skill, or language, or even looking at ways to get a better night’s sleep, the Canberra region has experts in every field imaginable.

Thor’s 30 years of sustainable timber solutions

Thor Diesendorf, founder and owner of Thor’s Hammer, is a key figure in Canberra’s sustainable business scene, and in recognition of his efforts, Thor’s Hammer won the Ministers’ Award for Leadership at the ACT Government Climate Choices Business Awards in 2023.

Now celebrating 30 years in business, Thor’s Hammer plays a pivotal role in Canberra’s circular economy – where materials are reused and repurposed to minimise waste, says Thor.

“Demand for sustainable options in construction is booming,” he says. 

“It’s great to see more people choosing recycled products – not just for their environmental benefits, but for the unique character and story they bring.”

Recycled timber from Thor’s Hammer isn’t just sustainable; it’s top quality, he says. 

“We mostly salvage Australian hardwoods, ideal for flooring, cladding, decking and furniture for both inside and outside,” says Thor.

As they enter their fourth decade, Thor says there are no signs of them slowing down. 

“We’ve doubled in size over the last five years,” he says. 

“That’s allowed us to invest more in sustainability. Our equipment is more efficient, we’re upcycling more waste like sawdust and offcuts than ever before, and we’re close to becoming fully electric, with a 60kW solar PV system and an all-electric forklift fleet. 

“It’s been an incredible 30 years – but there’s still more to do, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

Thor’s Hammer, 10 Mildura Street, Griffith.Call 6282 9900, or visit thors.com.au

Kim says it’s a good time to get a new mobility scooter

Now’s the time for a great deal on a new scooter, says Open Mobility’s showroom manager for its Belconnen and Tuggeranong branches. 

“We’re offering an incredible $500 off all new scooters, plus a trade-in offer of up to $500 for your old one!” she says.

Kim says this deal is designed to help customers upgrade to the latest models without breaking the bank. 

“Scooters are not only eco-friendly but cost-effective in the long run,” she says. 

“With this sale, we’re making it easier for everyone to switch to a more sustainable mode of transport. 

“Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or getting your first scooter, this is the time to buy.”

Kim says their wide selection of scooters includes everything from compact models to more powerful options for long-distance rides. 

Plus, she says the $500 trade-in option means customers can get rid of their old scooter while enjoying significant savings on a new one.

Open Mobility, 32 Cohen Street, Belconnen and 310 Anketell Street, Greenway. Call 6108 3899, or visit openmobility.com.au

Christian sets the benchmark in sleep services

Benchmark Sleep Services’ owner Christian Rabatsch has more than 30 years’ experience in dealing with sleep apnea and related conditions, having previously worked in sleep labs and for the major supplier companies, such as Phillips and Fisher & Paykel.

Christian says he set up Benchmark Sleep Services because he felt the major retailers were leaving clients unsatisfied, and focusing on profits instead of client wellbeing.

“You’ve got to have the passion to make sure that you’re doing the right thing and the customers and patients are happy at the end of the day,” he says.

“We are taking care to the next level, and our goal is looking long-term.

“If you’re having a problem with your CPAP machine and you need help, we’re the place to go to, because we can download your machine, we can look at the data, we know what we’re looking at, and we can find out what the problem is.”

Importantly, Christian says they can deal with all the brands, allowing them to assist with a much wider range of items. 

This is great for patients and customers looking for a new mask, because in the past year, Christian says there have been six to seven new CPAP masks released, and they can assist with all of them.

“If you’ve been using the same mask for the last few years and you’re having issues, come in and see something new,” he says.

Benchmark Sleep Services, level 1, 8/48 Corinna Street, Phillip. Call 6105 9000 or visit benchmarksleepservices.com.au

Rebecca leads pain support with a personal touch

Arthritis ACT can support people no matter what type of chronic pain condition they have, with many staff not only being experts in their fields, but peers in that they also live with similar chronic conditions, says CEO, Rebecca Davey.

“This means we really understand where you are coming from, your fears, your hopes, and what you can do,” she says.

“We specialise in helping people with invisible disabilities.”

Rebecca says Arthritis ACT has an occupational therapist who can assist people, particularly with their assistive technology needs.

“That includes wheelchairs, scooters, home modification and he can also do private driving assessments for people with disabilities who need them,” she says.

Rebecca says it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference Arthritis ACT’s services can provide.

“Many of our programs are held as group programs. This helps keep the costs down for you, but it also means you get to meet other participants who are dealing with similar issues,” she says.

“Sometimes when we’re living with invisible disabilities or illnesses, you feel really isolated because you feel no one else understands. In our programs, everyone understands.

“Many people come to our programs and make lifelong friends with others who really do ‘get you’.”

Rebecca says Arthritis ACT also offers services such as exercise physiology and disability support to help people in managing their pain.

“No task or question is too big or small for us,” she says.

Rebecca also says there is good news with the building at 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce, and the University of Canberra Hospital pool being back in service!

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Fiona’s team find ways around life’s difficulties

“As people age, for a variety of reasons, certain things that they do in their life can become more difficult,” says Fiona Sanders, general manager of Salvos Home Care. 

“This might be because of declining mobility, or because of the way the house is set up, or the usual social support network is no longer available.”

Salvos Home Care, the Salvation Army Aged Care’s in-home care division, offers a range of services to support clients to live independently in their own home, says Fiona. 

The service works with clients and their families to develop personalised plans based on individual need, which can be adjusted at any time and are focused on enhancing a client’s independence, health and wellbeing.

Fiona says that the most common services for older people are domestic assistance and gardening, followed by social support, such as assisting people to go shopping, or to access community services.

She says other popular services include physiotherapy, podiatry, personal care, such as showering people, helping them to dress, and clinical care such as wound care and helping people with medications.

“All our staff are fully qualified. They participate in regular training; they are police checked and we’ve got a great team of support staff to make sure that the team are well looked after and that they care for people properly in the home,” says Fiona.

Salvos Home Care ACT, 2-4 Brisbane Avenue, Barton. Call 1300 111 227 or visit agedcare.salvos.org.au

Steadfast Charlie’s passion underpins the awards 

Charlie Sgroi’s “absolute dedication” to the industry over 45 years has underpinned Car Mechanical Services recognition for innovation.

The Fisher-based company was named champion in the automotive services category at the 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. 

It won a gold Stevie award in the Best Entrepreneur – Automotive & Transport Equipment category at the recent 21st International Business Awards.

At the same awards, co-owner Raffy Sgroi won a bronze Stevie for the Sustainability Leadership Award in Asia, Australia and NZ at the International Business Awards, and was awarded silver in the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion category.

All of these awards follow on from Car Mechanical Services being one of the first automobile companies in Canberra to win a sustainable small business of the year award, in 2023.

Raffy says much of their success stems from co-owner Charlie’s absolute dedication to the industry, with this year marking 45 years since Charlie has had “spanners in his hands” and started his apprenticeship.

She says he has stuck with it continuously, never changing jobs and having stayed servicing the Weston Creek community for much of that time.

“Everybody knows him, and his integrity speaks volumes,” says Raffy.

“And he’s really good with the new generation, he really wants to pass on that legacy to any young people that are wanting to get into the industry.”

Raffy says it is easy for “old school” people to become frustrated with newer generations and industry changes, but that she is constantly amazed by Charlie’s embrace of it all.

“Usually you lose passion as you’re getting older in your job, but he’s still got that spark,” she says.

“He wants to see kids getting passionate about motors and how mechanical engineering works.

“He’s open-minded to fast-paced change, and inclusion has always been something very important to him.”

Car Mechanical Services is always striving to become more inclusive, says Raffy, including training programs aimed at encouraging young women to join the industry.

“He’s also really pleased, and I can see the twinkle in his eye, that young girls are coming around and having a go. Giving that possibility to everyone, it was a high priority,” says Raffy.

“He had always decided to focus on the purpose of his business more than the profit.”

Raffy says Charlie’s enthusiasm for the job also extends to the rapidly changing world of electric vehicles.

“Even if you don’t want to go and modify your shop completely for e-vehicles yet, you still need to be getting into training and upskilling yourself, so he’s been embracing that marvellously,” she says.

“For someone that could say, ‘oh, I’ve only got a few years left in the industry,’ it always strikes me how he is still embracing that.”

Raffy says this willingness to upskill and seek knowledge about innovation in the industry by Charlie is what has allowed them to keep running for such a long time, and it is his commitment to inclusion that has allowed them to focus so much on the community.

Car Mechanical Services, 82 Kalgoorlie Crescent, Fisher. Call 6162 4111 or visit carmechanicalservices.com.au

Giving kids a headstart on their schooling

Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre understands that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for development, says owner Kristen O’Connor.

“Kidstart offers classes for children from five months to five years of age to develop them socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually,” she says.

Operating since 1996 and located in Wanniassa, Kristen says Kidstart offers three distinct and age-appropriate programs to ignite a love of learning.

The first program is for children under the age of three, to attend with an adult, and introduces them to music, stories and stimulating equipment.

The second program is a “Pre-Preschool” program for three and four-year-olds to attend by themselves before starting preschool.

“It has been amazing to see 22 years’ worth kids and their families growing, loving, enjoying and benefiting from the program,” says Kristen.

The third program is Preschool PLUS. It’s designed for children to be involved alongside Preschool. The program is centred on phonics based literacy. 

“We use interactive computer sessions to expose the children to the letter sounds, letter identification and letter formation,” says Kristen.

“We are passionate about developing a love of learning in each and every child.

“By allowing them to thrive in an educational setting and experience the joy in exploring and achieving, we hope learning will be a lifelong passion for all our Kidstart kids.”

Kidstart are currently taking enrolments for term four, 2024.

Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre, 65 Sternberg Crescent, Wanniassa. For enrolment enquiries visit kidstart.com.au