In 1965 Orfeo opened a small workshop in Sydney and was commissioned by Jewellery Retailers all over Australia to design and make Jewellery. When he opened his workshop he had already been a successful Jeweller for over 30 years, so while our business is over 55 years old, our experience is over 75 years
The business grew and in 1977 my father Ken joined. My grandfather ran the workshop and my dad ran the office and sales. My three aunts at various times had different roles in the business, from sales, marketing, design and manufacturing. My mum looked after payroll and accounts, and I spent my holidays working in the office, running errands and helping out in the workshop.
Demand for Quality Australian-made Jewellery, bolstered by government protection on imports allowed the business to thrive, at one time every major Jewellery retailer and duty-free store carried Jewellery made by Anania.
To date, Anania has been the 5th longest member of the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA). Ken has served on the board of directors of the JAA and the President of the Australian Opal & Gem Industry Association which then became a sector of the JAA.
In the year 2000, I officially joined the business, first on secondment to Sydney International Airport selling Jewellery while studying at University, and then in the office in 2003 as the office manager. Over a period of 10 years from 2008 to 2017 I had the opportunity to start and run a business outside of Jewellery but continued to work in the business and as much as any know-it-all son does, make suggestions about changes to the business. The industry changed and the business changed with it.
In 2017 I came back and Ken decided that after 43 years it was time to retire.
It didn’t take long to realise that Jewellery is in my blood. I’ve lived and breathed Jewellery my entire life. My passion for it is boundless. I have had the great fortune to not have a job, I have a career, one that gets me out of bed in the morning and looks after myself and my 3 daughters. I am honoured and humbled that my clients trust me, and let me into their lives to help them create beautiful pieces that will last beyond our lifetimes and on to our children and grandchildren.
3 Generations
This is the only photo of the three generations together. Fun fact there are exactly 25 years and 2 months between each generation. I have 3 daughters now, and I’ve grown up just a bit.
If you would like to talk to me about creating an item of jewellery, call me today on Tel: (02) 9299 4251, or use our online contact form, or send us an email to sales@anania.com.au. I look forward to hearing from you.
