THE whistles blew; the trains steamed into town and life revolved around tent city. Wonthaggi was finding its feet and was the new kid in Victoria.

Passed down through four generations, Melbourne Furnishing Company in Wonthaggi opened that same year, in 1910, and last week (September 25), celebrated 115 years all in the hands of the Abraham family.

The unique Graham Street store has been owned by Talia Abraham since 2004, and continues to bring Wonthaggi’s homes to life over 115 years later, though the fashion styles have certainly changed. 

“Some of my earliest memories are of running up and down the ramp that goes through the store,” Talia said.

In 1910, her great-grandfather, Samuel Abraham, moved to Wonthaggi with his wife and two children in tow and established the business.

The reason why the business is named Melbourne Furnishing Co. is subject to some speculation.

“One theory is that the association with Melbourne through the name might have simply made the store sound that little bit fancier,” Talia said.

The other theory is that Samuel’s wealthy sisters helped fund the store.

“The sisters may have invested some money to help establish the business, which came with some influence over the name,” she said.

Sam operated the store for approximately the next 30 years. He and his wife Grace had three children, one of whom, Alan, took over the store from his father around 1940.

“I didn’t know my grandfather Alan, who unfortunately died before I was born,” Talia said.

“Alan and my grandmother Matilda had five children, including my father Alwyn, who was born in 1947.
“Twenty years later, when my dad was in his first year of studying at a pharmacy college in Melbourne, my grandfather fell sick, which caused dad to abandon his plans and come back to Wonthaggi to run the family business,” she said.

Alwyn Abraham remained at the helm of Melbourne Furnishing Co. from 1967 until 2004.

And although the pieces they stock have certainly changed over the century, their ethos has remained the same: ‘to furnish homes with genuine quality, craftsmanship and service’.

“It’s not just what’s on the store floor, we can get all styles,” Talia said.

From Hampton, Scandinavian, Country cottage, Bohemian, traditional, retro or industrial, Melbourne Furnishing Co. has a wide range and sources Australian-made where possible.

“We encourage choice, the right chair, the right style,” she said.

“I have the contacts who can make the piece the shape you feel most comfortable on and in the materials that suit your home,” Talia said.

With generations of contacts and experience, it is no surprise that Talia can assist in completing your ideal piece, and encourages custom designing. 

Talia assures that Melbourne Furnishing Co. will continue to provide the traditional personal service that has been their trademark, well into the future. Having stood the test of time, that appears to be a given.

Discover your new favourite piece with Talia and the team today.