4 minute read
50 Years And Three Generations Of Glaziers
50 YEARS AND THREE GENERATIONS OF GLAZIERS
In 1974, Terry happened to be at a friend’s Christmas party which was hosted by a large residential builder. A few hours into the party, the owner was informed that a huge storm had just smashed around 50 windows at one of his display villages. The builder contacted their regular glaziers, but they had already stopped for Christmas and declined the request for help. ‘Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Dad got wind of this emergency and sprang into action, working through the night to replace every panel, much to the builder’s delight,’ explains Brett. This kick-started an exclusive glazing partnership between Macedon Ranges Glass and that builder that meant we glazed all windows onsite and installed all shower screens and mirrors. This continued right up until the builder ceased trading a few years ago.
In 1988, Terry’s daughter, Nicole Vernon, joined the business in administration, and still works in the business today. Shortly after this, Brett joined as a glazing apprentice, ‘because I had always seen Dad strike a good balance between hard work, job satisfaction and time to watch cricket, and that’s the kind of life I wanted for myself,’ he explains. ‘In 2019, my son Riley joined the team, becoming our third generation in the glazing trade, something which the family is really proud of. Dad retired in 2019, but still drops in each week to discuss all things cricket, football, and greyhounds.’
Running a longstanding business in a small Victorian town like Gisborne, means you must be doing a good job. ‘We pride ourselves on the service and quality delivered by our 13 staff members, who are a pleasure to work with. Some of our glaziers even get requested by name! Our 5-star Facebook and Google reviews from customers and builders alike, are another reason we’re so busy’ says Brett. ‘We recently opened a second facility in Kyneton.’
For a business in a small regional town, Macedon Ranges Glass has some very impressive projects under its belt, including the MCG redevelopment for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Airport and Melbourne Central.
‘In recent years we’ve moved away from commercial glazing, and now focus on providing builders, designers, architects and homeowners with glass products for high end homes,’ explains Brett. ‘We will always continue to provide our local region with day-to-day glazing services such as glass replacements, splash backs and mirrors. Another part of our business that is quickly growing is the retrofit double glazing of existing windows. This is a popular solution in the cooler climate of the Macedon ranges.’
‘Now in our third generation of glazing, my family and I are looking forward to the next 50 years in the Macedon ranges,’ ends Brett Vernon
I would love to see AGWA working toward ensuring all glass and glazing companies become at least accredited and maybe even licensed, similar to plumbers and electricians. We are forever fighting the battle of competing with the 'backyard' glaziers running around at half our price and no assurance of them installing the correct glass type.
