Mother's Day Special

Mother love

As Mother’s Day approaches, some Subiaco mothers and their children posed for a very special photo shoot by Josh Wells.

Dimario Italian Shoes / Allora

By Rose Frontino

"For us, Mother’s Day means honouring and celebrating with my gorgeous and amazing daughter, Rebecca. Mother’s Day means love in our family, it’s always been our special thing.

We have a saying: "You don’t just give love. You are love."

All we both can wish for this year in our businesses is positivity and support from all of our local community." Pictured Rose Frontinto and daughter Rebecca Frontino.

Hiddlestone Electrics

By Natalie Hiddlestone

“I cherish my relationship with my Mum, Kay. It is a connection which is now much deeper, stronger and richer – both personally and in our family business.

Before the unexpected loss in 2014 of my Dad Vern - who I miss terribly every day - my Mum was always the homemaker for our family, and I spent the majority of my time at work. So, we didn’t get to spend much time with each other.

Since his passing, my Mum now works with me at Hiddlestone Electrics in our Townshend Road premises, so we get to see each other every day.

The opportunity to foster this relationship with my Mum is the one gift that has come out of such a heartbreaking loss for me.

In a world of uncertainty and ever-changing conditions, our focus is the same that it has always been in our 102 years in Subiaco, steeped in the core values of my father and the company’s forefathers: to provide good, reliable service.” Pictured: Natalie Hiddlestone (left) | Kay Hiddlestone (right) | with Natalie's dog Molly. www.zolotasaustralia.com

Handmade couture gowns from Greece

359 Hay Street, Subiaco 6008 (by appointment) Tel 6201 8197 | Mob 0431 883 417 | @Zolotas_australia

Chandelabra Weddings & Events

By Kerri Sharp

"My daughter Courtney and I create a good balance in our business relationship.

We both have creative talents in different areas which come together and result in the culmination of a beautiful wedding, both aesthetically, with the complete visual styling of the day, and also emotionally, by making the bride and her bridal party including others and grandmothers, feel confident and beautiful.

We are hoping this year to continue to draw inspiration from each other and both adding new services to our business, including bridal headpieces and hair styling services to the repertoire." Pictured: Courtney Sharp (left) and Kerri Sharp (right) Zolotas Bridal

by Sophie Linardopoulos

"We are a mother and daughter bridal business who chose Subiaco for the beautiful leafy green streets and heritage-listed buildings. Subiaco feels like a village to us with a strong community feeling that takes us back to Greece.

I grew up on the Greek island of Paros, and my mother Donna taught me everything there was to know about running a business as well as instilling hard working values and morals in me. I am passionate about every woman that becomes a Zolotas bride, as I feel that we are able to bring back a piece of my Greek heritage to Australian shores." Pictured: Sophie (left) with baby Amara and Donna Linardopoulos (right).

BY | Gail Williams.

LIGHTING UP

SUBIACO

The Hiddlestone name is as familiar to Subiaco locals as, well, Rokeby, Hay and Townshend. And just like those other monikers, the family name is also a thoroughfare, named in honour of the long-standing family specialising in electrics.

WORDS | Gail Williams PICTURED | Natalie Hiddlestone

THE ICONIC FAMILY name - Hiddlestone - has become local shorthand for the words “good, reliable service” when it comes to electrical repairs and installations.

But even those unaware of the famous Vern Hiddlestone line: “Subiaco has been good to me. Without Subi, I’m no good,” will be familiar with the legacy of community involvement that three generations of Hiddlestones have contributed.

Since 1920, Hiddlestones have continued to base their business on the decent human principles of “be true to your word, say what you mean and mean what you say.”

Subiaco, in 2016, returned the love and immortalised them by naming a laneway after them. It's just one of the ubiquitous reminders of the business that began on Rokeby Road with Howard and Bert Hiddlestone, and their brother Cecil.

Cecil’s son, Vern, who became one of Subi’s favourite identities, continued it on. Following his sudden passing in 2014 – with 1,000 people at his funeral – Vern’s daughter, Natalie, took over Hiddlestone Electrics, which was his wish. Managing a team of eight, Natalie – the third of four daughters – runs and protects the legacy of their family business with her mother, Kay, quietly working in the background from their Townshend Road premises.

You don’t have to look far to see Hiddlestone’s handiwork.

The iconic Regal Theatre stands as a monument to the original wiring work they carried out. Hiddlestones were also responsible for the wiring and restored verandahs - which Vern fought for while on Subiaco council - of many other heritage buildings along Rokeby Road. Vern’s electrical knowledge and tenacity lead to Subiaco’s underground wiring. And Subiaco’s Christmas street party, he lighting of Carols by the Lake at Jualbup, and dozens of other fundraising events have always had Hiddlestones' involvement..

Every second home in Subiaco seems to have a much-loved chandelier, retro lighting or bespoke electrical fitting, restored in the dedicated workshop of Hiddlestone Electrics. They have become synonymous with it in Subiaco and Perth, primarily through word-ofmouth referrals.

The tight knit team can still proudly proclaim to have been inside nearly 80 per cent of Subiaco homes to carry out some sort of electrical work.

Natalie Hiddlestone, who had worked as a teenager with her father in the business and has a restricted electrical licence, is very comfortable at the helm and employs the same old school business principles she learned from her colourful, hardworking father.

“It’s all about customer service,” she says.

Not a day goes by when Natalie’s isn't reminded of her well-loved Dad, who would express his often-strident views while a Subiaco councillor living in Duffel House on Hamersley Road.

“There are so many times I feel like my Dad is in the office with me, looking over my shoulder.

“Just after Dad died, Willy Wagtails started appearing in our workshop. They land on our hands, and we feed them to this day. For us, they represent special messengers of Dad watching over us; they’re a constant, welcome and comforting reminder of his presence.”