A new exhibition to open this Easter Saturday at the National Wool Museum looks at the fascinating stories of twelve small, independent traders from throughout Geelong, who despite all the odds, have continued trading in the same business for thirty, forty, even fifty or more years.
Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Economic Development for the City of Greater Geelong, Cr Peter McMullin said the exhibition, titled Still Going Strong: Geelong's Independent Traders, is a tribute to those small businesses that bring life to their retail strip.
"Staying in business isn't easy!" said Cr McMullin. "The traders vary from shoe repairs to real estate, and from sewing machines to hairdressing, but the theme remains the same - a dedication to their business and to serving their customers, and resilience in the face of progress," he said.
"Featuring biographical stories and large scale photographic portraits of the traders, provides a fascinating look at the coalface of small business in Geelong," said Cr McMullin.
"The display of objects vital to the business brings the traders' stories to life, and shows how in some instances the technology remains largely unchanged over many years," he said.
The exhibition has been produced in conjunction with local writer and photographer, Ian Kenins, who has long been interested in the subject and has published a book on fifty of Melbourne's long-term traders.
"Despite the increased world-wide trend towards shopping malls, many of Geelong's small independent traders are surviving and some are even thriving," said Mr Kenins.
"Few have the money or marketing savvy to match the advertising campaigns of their big brand rivals, but what they do have is reputation, whether it is for service, quality or simply customer loyalty earned over several generations.
"Many of these traders have sacrificed holidays, a comfortable office job, or lucrative offers for their premises for the sake of continuing their business and to serve their valued customers. These are their stories," he said.
On show at the National Wool Museum from 22 March to 20 July, 2008. Telephone 5227 0701 or visit www.nwm.vic.gov.au for further information.
