Dedication to their customers and the wider community has been the key to Whitney Jewellers’ longevity, according to fourth-generation owner Gina Brown. Established by Herbert Whitney in 1919 at 149 Talbragar Street – where they remain to this day – Whitneys Jewellers is this year celebrating a century of service. Bob Whitney joined his father in the business in 1930. Bob had six daughters and no sons, so in 1955 he asked nephew Peter Carolan to join as well. “In those days, all jewellery was handmade: every little part of a diamond ring – the claws of the ring, the setting, and the band itself,” Peter said. “Handmade jewellery is still a big part of our business, although like most manufacturing businesses today, technology takes us to a higher level through efficiency of custom design and quality manufacturing. “Grandfather specialised in hand engraving. He would spend hours engraving signatures and so on with a little pick tool.” 1955 was a challenging year for Whitneys, as well as the wider community. When the flood struck in February, 1955, Peter recalled having three family homes to clean, as well as the shop. After 64 years, Peter has now retired, but can still be seen helping at the engraving bench now daughter Gina runs the show. She said “good quality jewellery always stands the test of time”, and so had Whitneys. ALSO MAKING NEWS: – New adventure: Leaving to go to university ‘bittersweet’ for Dubbo student – Anthrax poisoning kills hundreds of sheep at a property near Nyngan – ‘When I told them I wanted to run a mine, they laughed at me’: Vote in NSW Women of the Year Awards “I attribute that to our customers being the foundation of the business,” Gina said. “I love my customers … I love picking that perfect piece. “But also that we give back a lot to the community.” Whitneys Jewellers were the inaugural sponsor of the Whitney Cup – Dubbo’s first grade cricket competition – and have sponsored the Dubbo Showgirl competition for more than 40 years. Last year they sponsored the inaugural Fashions on the Field series with a prize worth about $7000. The business has been through thick and thin with Dubbo, and Gina hoped it would continue to serve the city for another 100 years. “We’re so grateful for the support of our customers and that stems four generations of customers that are still coming through our door,” she said. “They’re the only ones I want to thank. They’re everything.”
MILESTONE: Gina Brown (right) with niece Bella Astley, jeweller Warren Brown and master jeweller Peter Letzbor. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE
Dedication to their customers and the wider community has been the key to Whitney Jewellers’ longevity, according to fourth-generation owner Gina Brown.
Established by Herbert Whitney in 1919 at 149 Talbragar Street – where they remain to this day – Whitneys Jewellers is this year celebrating a century of service.
Bob Whitney joined his father in the business in 1930.
Bob had six daughters and no sons, so in 1955 he asked nephew Peter Carolan to join as well.
“In those days, all jewellery was handmade: every little part of a diamond ring – the claws of the ring, the setting, and the band itself,” Peter said.
“Handmade jewellery is still a big part of our business, although like most manufacturing businesses today, technology takes us to a higher level through efficiency of custom design and quality manufacturing.
“Grandfather specialised in hand engraving. He would spend hours engraving signatures and so on with a little pick tool.”
1955 was a challenging year for Whitneys, as well as the wider community. When the flood struck in February, 1955, Peter recalled having three family homes to clean, as well as the shop.
After 64 years, Peter has now retired, but can still be seen helping at the engraving bench now daughter Gina runs the show.
She said “good quality jewellery always stands the test of time”, and so had Whitneys.
“I attribute that to our customers being the foundation of the business,” Gina said.
“I love my customers … I love picking that perfect piece.
“But also that we give back a lot to the community.”
Whitneys Jewellers were the inaugural sponsor of the Whitney Cup – Dubbo’s first grade cricket competition – and have sponsored the Dubbo Showgirl competition for more than 40 years.
Last year they sponsored the inaugural Fashions on the Field series with a prize worth about $7000.
The business has been through thick and thin with Dubbo, and Gina hoped it would continue to serve the city for another 100 years.
“We’re so grateful for the support of our customers and that stems four generations of customers that are still coming through our door,” she said.
“They’re the only ones I want to thank. They’re everything.”
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