Born into the business: Joe Di Conza and wife Angela have recently sold Pat and Tina’s BP on Numurkah Rd, Shepparton, one of the region’s pioneering migrant businesses.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
This week, one of Shepparton's iconic family businesses closed a chapter with many stories to tell after 50 years of operation.
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But there's perhaps one story in particular that emphasised best the hard-working approach of the region's migrants.
When Joe Di Conza's father, Pat, launched his business on Numurkah Rd in Shepparton back in 1973, it was surrounded by orchards.
Fifty years later, when Joe and wife Angela sold Pat and Tina's BP it was surrounded by commercial properties, the Shepparton Sports Stadium and sporting fields.
This week, while recalling some of the stories from the five decades of trade, Joe retold one that not only highlighted the hard work of the region's migrants but also how he himself was almost literally born into the industry.
The setting was a petrol station the family was linked to before Pat and Tina's was even created.
"My mother broke water on that driveway. My dad put her into the car and to the hospital, and then four hours after I was born my mother was back on the driveway serving petrol. True story. That's how they were back then," Joe said.
In departing, Joe thanked the local community for its support over so many years.
"We've been very fortunate that the Shepparton community has always backed us and they've supported us," he said.
"We've always done a lot of sponsorship, we've sponsored the Gators, we've got a massive little influence over at MOVE, which is the motor museum. They ‘icon-ed’ (gave the business icon status) us in there. They built the service station (a replica), how it was back in ‘73.
"So we've sponsored footy clubs, soccer clubs throughout our journey. We've contributed a lot to the community of Shepparton, but they've given a lot to us."
Next chapter: Joe and Ange Di Conza of Pat and Tina's BP have sold up after 50 years in the business.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Summer scene: Traffic in Maude St, Shepparton will be restricted during the Summer City Market.
Photo by
Murray Silby
Sizzling summer market
Shepparton's bustling commercial centre will be a scene of heightened activity on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24 for the Summer City Market.
"Two days of sizzling summer sales from the businesses that you know and love" are promised during the market in Maude St.
The best of summer sales, live music and great food all across Shepparton's Maude St and its surroundings are on the agenda from 10am to 6pm Friday, and 10am to 3pm Saturday.
Maude St will be closed to traffic during the event between Fryers and High Sts.
Red Rooster fined
Red Rooster in Wodonga is the latest business in the north of the state to be fined for breaching child employment laws.
Red Rooster was fined $5500 and ordered to pay $4000 in costs in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to 29 breaches of Victoria’s child employment laws.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria, the state’s child employment regulator, began investigating Wodonga Food Pty Ltd, trading as Red Rooster Wodonga, in August 2022 after receiving a tip-off from the community alleging the business was employing children under 15 years of age without the relevant permits.
The business pleaded guilty to employing 10 children under the age of 15 without a permit on 154 occasions, failing to ensure the children were supervised by someone with a Working with Children clearance on 154 occasions, employing children for more hours than they are permitted to work on 12 occasions and employing children later than 9pm on three occasions.
The offences took place between April 9 and September 24.
The Wage Inspectorate Victoria said a business usually needs a child employment permit or licence to employ someone under 15, whether the work is paid or voluntary.
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