Get CityNews in your inbox. Daily. The best local news sent straight to your inbox every workday!

Make a donation and support the future of journalism and media diversity in the ACT.

From exercise to beauty, health to workwear, and more, Canberra is home to plenty of experts passionate about their skills and services with the community.

NOTED American educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom once said experts are always made, not born.

If that’s true, Canberra’s certainly helped make more than a few experts.

From exercise to beauty, health to workwear, and more, there are plenty of professionals in the ACT passionate about sharing their insights and skills.

SEEARS Workwear has recently extended its floor space to cater for its largest range of winter workwear stock – the biggest in the region, says owner Pat Seears.

With more than 30 years of providing quality work clothes to the Canberra region and a team that’s backed with more than 90 years’ combined industry experience, Seears Workwear knows what working people are after, says Pat, who runs the business with his son Shane.

The store also has workwear for chefs, paramedics and firefighters, says Pat, who knows the needs of local businesses and supplies many Fyshwick businesses with their work uniforms. 

Stocking work apparel such as high-vis workwear, jackets, jeans, shoes and hats, he says: “Everything is the best quality from the best manufacturers.” 

Located on Barrier Street, he says they stock safety work boots, leather shoes and steel-toed canvas shoes, from brands such as Puma, Rockport and Dunlop. 

Seears Workwear can also assist companies through their corporate uniform services, which provides customised embroidery services for promotional clothing and business uniforms. 

Seears Workwear also has stores in NSW and Queensland, and Pat says they deliver all over the country. 

Seears Workwear, 60 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 4111 or visit seearsworkwear.com.au

AWARD winners at the Canberra Region Local Business Awards, and experts in strata management, co-owners of LMM Solutions, Michael and Jane Fennell love what they do. 

“First of all, we’d say it’s a fantastic industry, constantly growing and it’s always something different.”

They say that LMM Solutions specialise in high quality strata management services. 

“Our clients love our strata team. They’re proactive, responsive, professional and thorough,” they say.

Michael and Jane say they pride themselves at LMM Solutions on the training they provide.

“We have weekly meetings as a team to discuss any important issues. Our managers have an hour each week specifically for training, and we have a litigation lawyer that comes in each month and chats to us as well,” they say.

“We try to ensure that we’re putting the needs of the development first, and we’re really, really good with communication. Our systems are built around clear, concise communication so that way everyone who needs to know is kept up to date.”

LMM Solutions, unit 231, 29 Braybrooke Street, Bruce. Call 5110 3200, or visit lmmsolutions.com.au

OLIVIA Robinson, owner of The Glowing Complexions, began working in beauty when she was 15.

Eight years later, she says she’s never stopped learning.

“There’s always more to learn, there’s all these new ingredients to figure out and it just never stops,” she says.

She’s encouraging new people who enter the industry to do a lot of training, and practice as much as they can.

“I struggled getting used to being so close to people, because they’re in such a vulnerable state and you’re near their eyes. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to start with but you do get used to it.”

Olivia loves working in beauty, and loves that there’s new things to learn every day.

“Giving people confidence, and boosting their natural features, it makes them feel good about themselves and that’s why I love it,” she says.

“Facials are fun, and it’s satisfying to see the change in people’s face and skin.”

The Glowing Complexions, 3/16 Weetangera Place, Weetangera. Call 0401 164421 or visit theglowingcomplexions.com

SUE Oliver says her “Care For Yourself Weight Loss Program” focuses on helping male and female clients struggling with weight issues, to lose weight effortlessly and permanently.

An expert in the industry, having worked as an energy healing therapist for 20 years, Sue says her guidance for beginners is to “always remain curious as to why someone is having weight issues”.

“If it were straightforward to solve, no one would have weight issues.”

She says her business stands out because it’s not about being on a diet or restricting food intake, but about seeing each client as an individual with habits, beliefs and experiences that have created who they are today.

“During the 12-session program I discover the reasons they are struggling with weight issues and use a range of techniques to clear them,” she says.

“There are 12 weight blockers or reasons the body holds on to excess weight, and they all need to be addressed to help a client lose weight and keep it off.”

Sue says she does this work because she loves the challenge of discovering how she can help someone be the best they can be.

“The most rewarding part is renewing clients’ hope and motivation about their future, thinner selves and sharing in their excitement as they achieve their weight-loss goals,” she says.

Care For Yourself. Call 0403 145976 or visit actenergyhealing.com

THE highly trained team of physiotherapists and exercise physiologists at Higher Function use the latest scientific research in their evidence-based treatments and classes, says CEO Janet Fabbri.

“With more than 50 years of combined experience in musculoskeletal sports injuries and neurological conditions, we understand the physiology of the body, biomechanics and how the body moves,” says Janet.

“We’re the best place for helping people reach their higher functioning goals.”

Whether someone wants to walk up and down the stairs without pain or to be able to run up and down Mount Ainslie, Janet says the Higher Function team takes the time to learn the goals of each individual.

“We try to empower people by educating them. In our classes we talk about why we’re doing a certain exercise,” she says.

“We help our patients perform better physically, reducing pain and stiffness, by giving them the science behind their exercise, specific physio and exercise physiology treatment, and ongoing support and care.”

Janet, who’s been in the industry for more than 35 years, says she still finds it incredibly rewarding to see people make progress and reach their goals.

“Things won’t happen overnight, consistency is key, but really seeing people improve over time is wonderful.”

Higher Function Physio & Pilates, Suite 4, Level 1/23 Petrie Plaza. Call 6262 9664 or visit higherfunction.com.au

LOUISE McMahon, owner of Deziner Beauty, says as the extreme colder weather comes around, it’s important to look after your skin.

“Everyone needs to strengthen their skin to better handle the extreme temperatures, cold or hot, and facials are a good way of doing that.”

She says clients expect beauticians to be there for their big moments such as weddings or holidays, as well as wanting information on the latest fads.

“My advice would be to people starting off in the industry, you must be firm, confident, hard working and reliable.”

She says her own biggest fear was travelling to do wedding make-up.

“My fear was something happening that stopped me from getting to the location and wrecking their special day, so I would always leave the day before so that I would be there, ready.”

And, she says she’s always researching new products and treatments.

“There are always new treatments coming out and clients ask me for my expert knowledge and advice.”

Deziner Beauty, 72 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6299 5792, or visit dezinerbeauty.com.au

Award-winning architects Maria Filardo and Can Ercan joined forces just over 12 months ago to create their boutique firm, Filardo Ercan Architects, located in Griffith. 

Renowned for their residential architecture, interior design, commercial and hospitality fitouts and heritage projects, Maria and Can’s combined expertise in architecture, interior design and heritage allows them to provide a unique skill set and a holistic approach for clients. 

“We chose to be a small firm (with big impact) so we can always provide a personal service to our clients,” says Maria. 

Maria has over 20 years experience in architecture and is skilled in residential, commercial and hospitality design. She is also a lecturer at CIT in building and interior design. 

Can has over 25 years of experience in heritage conservation, having worked for NSW Heritage Office, ACT Heritage Unit as well as an associate and senior architect with leading firms in Canberra and Sydney.

“As a team, we are unique in that we offer creative and sustainable design in architecture, interior design and heritage conservation. We always aim to offer something different and better in every new project,” says Can. 

“We love what we do and the good relationship we have with our clients is reflected in the great end results we achieve,” says Maria.

Filardo Ercan Architects, visit feas.com.au or call Maria on 0421 342625 and Can on 0415 550801.

STUDENTS from any institution in the world can sit their exams right here in Canberra with Fraser Exam Centre, says manager and senior invigilator Janet Fraser.

“We provide a service for anybody to save them time, travel and accommodation,” she says.

“Rather than going back to the institution, students can give us a call. We’ll handle all the administration and they can sit their exams right here.”

Janet, who’s been an invigilator for more than three decades and worked all around the world, says their services apply to anyone looking to increase their qualifications.

“We do both written and computer-based exams for individual and group bookings,” she says.

“I also like to set the centre up to be very friendly so people feel comfortable while completing their exams.

“It becomes more like studying at home, and can result in better outcomes for students.”

Fraser Exam Centre, call 0437 771559 or visit fraserexamcentre.com.au

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Hold the fertilising, winter's here, says gardening writer JACKIE WARBURTON.

Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON says high teas are visual extravaganzas, but it’s not all about the look, it’s also about the taste.

Belconnen has become a thriving hub for North Canberrans, with so much to offer residents and visitors.

Make a donation and support the future of journalism and media diversity in the ACT.

Get CityNews in your inbox. Daily. The best local news sent straight to your inbox every workday!