Still Going Strong: Geelong's Independent Traders

A National Wool Museum exhibition produced in conjunction with writer and photographer Ian Kenins

Ken Phemister, Butcher, has been trading at his Boundary Road store in East Geelong since 1972.

Still Going Strong: Geelong's Independent Traders 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.

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.

Featuring biographical stories and large scale photographic portraits of the traders, this exhibition is a fascinating look at the coalface of small business in Geelong. The display of objects vital to the business bring the traders' stories to life, and show how in some instances the technology remains largely unchanged over many years.

On show now until 9 July 2008.

Tom and Margaret Ivory of Ivorson Produce Store in Newcomb say "We'd like to have our Sundays back, but supermarkets rule our lives now. But we can give a lot advice they can't."