Town Talk

Recently, I sat down for a chat with Ray Behrends, the local owner of Furniture Edition.

We are all aware that there were many heroes during the lockdown years — and local business owners were among them. They battled with circumstances they had never encountered before and, at times, survival was in doubt. So, my first question to Ray was “how would you describe the past three years?” He said they were challenging to say the least.

During the first round of lockdowns, in 2020, there were government grants that helped, and there was a period, as pensioners were given financial assistance, when sales (during open times) were reasonable. The Federal Government had asked people to spend the money they were given, to assist the economy — and, as travel was out of the question, there was some benefit to furniture stores. However, sales were few and far between in 2021 and Ray believes that Shepp suffered as much, or more, than other cities. We talked about our dark days when 20,000 of us were under strict lockdown; when the supermarkets couldn’t deliver to homes because of staff shortages and simply finding food became a priority for many.

“What about now?” I asked. Ray said the year hadn’t been too bad until right now, after the floods. He said that although things would pick up as Christmas approached, currently it was as if people were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is everything going to be okay? How much more rain is coming?

When Ray opened his new store in Melbourne Rd, he was far from a newcomer to the furniture business. Having worked originally for Colin Wise Furniture, he bought the business. He then purchased G.V. Furniture World and folded the Colin Wise business into it. The business was strong for around eight years when Ray decided to take a fresh approach. Furniture World had been around for decades and he wanted a new store. So, in 2016, he opened Furniture Edition, with a range of Australian-made furniture and a variety of overseas brands — including, of course, the ever-popular La-Z-Boy recliners. The furniture is stylish, of high quality and, to a large degree, timeless.

And here I must confess a friendship; a few months after opening, Ray gave me a call to give him a hand with marketing. We had a chat and decided that, given we were both Richmond supporters, we’d get on well. I liked his friendly approach to his customers; he is always fair dinkum and there is none of that ‘say anything to get a sale’ style. His customers recognise and appreciate his honesty. There is always a friendly welcome. It might be something like this, “Hello there! If you’re a Tigers supporter, you’re in the right place for a bargain. If you barrack for Collingwood, bad luck!” And there is laughter and a totally relaxed atmosphere. I like that, because customers feel free to have a good look around; they aren’t annoyed by the salespeople and are far more likely to enjoy their visit.

And there were so many success stories. I remember one gentleman who lived in Wagga and had been travelling around southern NSW and northern Victoria. He said he had lost count of the number of furniture stores he’d visited. From Ray, he got all the genuine info he wanted about timber furniture and found the perfect dining room suite.

In 2019 Sel’s Gifts and Decor (Fraser St) closed and Ray did something that surprised and delighted me. He bought Sel’s stock — and it was beautiful. (Under the expert care of Sherie Thorp, it still is.) The décor items work well with the furniture and enhance the store’s appearance. The gifts items have solved problems for many customers and the clothing is superb — well selected and very tempting.

I find it difficult to call in to say hi to Ray without seeing something I want. It might be a scarf or a candle or a cushion or two; once it was a dining room suite; last week it was a large, beautifully framed photo. It may not appeal to everyone but, when I saw it, my heart did a little dance. It was taken from the western end of Westminster Bridge in London — and is now hanging on our wall.

I don’t know if any of you will remember but once I told you about taking my mum to England. She planted herself in the middle of Westminster Bridge, loudly and clearly recited Wordsworth’s poem Composed upon Westminster Bridge, while I pretended I’d never seen her in my life. She then put her arm through mine and said “I’ve always wanted to do that.” And this photo is of what I could see as I hurried her away.

Ray and I parted ways in 2020 when I was busy at the newspaper and I felt he didn’t really need me anymore. However, although he and I will always be mates, I write about his beautiful store because it is locally owned and well worth your attention. It has never been easy competing with the big guys but as more and more find their way to us, it gets tougher all the time. Some of our centrally situated businesses have been hidden behind hoardings for quite a while. Add to that the financial pain of the recent past and you’ll understand why some people are finding it just too difficult.

For Shepparton, as a shopping centre, it is important that we have our smaller, independent stores that differentiate us from other towns and cities. Otherwise, why would people come here on shopping trips? Please support them, on our way to Christmas.

Furniture Edition is at 7999 Goulburn Valley Hwy — opposite BMW.

Let’s have some common sense regarding roadworks

The Fryers and Welsford streets roadworks are causing problems, particularly with Watt Rd closed. It is taking people up to 50 minutes to get from the northern parts of the city to the south. School buses are running late. It is costing businesses money, with tradies being held up for long periods. It would have been difficult even if there was another crossing to Mooroopna — but the current situation is ridiculous.

Gary Randhawa is the council’s director of infrastructure and, naturally enough, he is worried about delays to the government-funded work — and says delays will cost well over $1 million.

However, surely the government is aware that we’ve had flooding; surely we could explain the current situation and the stress and financial pain it is causing; surely we could ask for an extension — now? If the people in charge are ignorant or indifferent — if they say ‘no’ to an extension — the people of Shepparton will know where to direct their anger.

I have, to a large degree, been supportive of our council over the past couple of years. However, there have been decisions made recently that indicate to me that they are not in touch with their communities. In this situation, they appear to be indifferent to the frustration and anger that people are feeling.

Australia Day changes

For the first time, Town Talk has had communications from readers asking that they not be published. A few wanted to let off steam — without appearing to be some of the things they are not. Let’s be clear, it is not racist to want to commemorate Australia Day according to our history. It’s not awful or mean or selfish. In fact, you may be in step with most Australians — but we don’t know, do we? And that is the problem! If the majority of people wanted to change the date, everyone would accept that.

I also had an email from a lady who does support a date change. However, it was not for publication. Eventually, she decided to adjust her writing and send it to the editor. All of that is fine.

And I did hear from a gentleman who was not afraid of stating his opinion:

Dear Marnie,

I suppose I am not the first person to offer a correction to your article on Australia Day, Bangerang people and Mr Edward M. Curr. You quote from a shire history piece and write of a Mr Currone. I believe it should be “Curr, one the early squatters” of the region.

I think a missing comma and a space are the culprits.

In any event, I liked your article today, as always.

I am currently reading Recollections of Squatting in Victoria, then called the Port Philip District, from 1841 to 1851 by Edward Micklethwaite Curr. I am enjoying it so much, with references to so many places and people of our area. He was an interesting man and apparently respected by the native people.

With regard to Australia Day and date, I feel strongly about retaining these as they were. I, like many others, chose to come to Australia to live and be naturalised. When I obtained my citizenship at Eastbank many years ago, I was so pleased and thankful that the day, date and ceremony finally had taken place. I do not want my part of this country’s history to be written off just to satisfy a few vocal people who probably had no choice as to where they began their lives.

Anyway, history cannot be changed and for some our history here will be celebrated each and every day, but best of all on January 26 of each of my remaining years. Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley have been good to me.

Thanks,

Robin of Kialla

Robin was the first — but not the last — to point out my error. I don’t think we can blame a missing comma and space; I think we should blame a woman who reads too quickly for her own good. I did know that Mr Curr was one of our early settlers but, for reasons I can’t explain, turned him into Mr Currone and then pondered about it being a name I had not previously encountered! Sometimes, I bewilder myself!

Take care everybody. Until we get this roadworks issue sensibly adjusted, it is not easy driving from north to south — or, God help us, to and from Mooroopna. Perhaps we’ll have some nice weather for a while and can start thinking about Christmas, which is 33 days away.

May it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish)