The Hoskings story
The Hoskings story
Did you know that Hoskings Jewellers is celebrating our 76th birthday in 2021? And to mark this wonderful milestone we thought we’d share a little more of the Hoskings story with you. A perfect story of love, romance and jewellery! We’ll tell you how we came to be, the people that make Hoskings so special. Yes, that includes you too! And the importance of the family culture we’ve nurtured for 76 years.
The beginning
In 1945, an ambitious 24-year-old gentleman named Perc G. Hosking returned from fighting for his king and country in the 2nd World War to his hometown in Frankston. At that time Frankston was a small town, 50ks south-east of Melbourne city with a population of around 10,000 people. An instrument maker by trade, he set out to establish a watch repair business below his residence in Young Street.
He very quickly gained a reputation for his expertise and unfailing devotion to excellence. He was an astute businessman that went above and beyond for his customers and worked tirelessly to make sure the people of Frankston received the best possible service. It was likely because of that same work ethic and sense of duty that resulted in him being elected to the position of the first Mayor of Frankston.
And we’re glad that 76 years later, Hoskings Jewellers remains one of Frankston’s greatest success stories and continues that same commitment to quality for our customers.
Original job card / Newspaper article / Original Art Deco bakelite ring box
A family business
Although Perc passed away at the age of 74, in 1995, Hoskings is still very much a family-run business. Perc’s son Graham followed in his fathers’ footsteps to complete a watchmaking apprenticeship and became actively involved in the management of the business in the 1970’s. Or, “the good old days” as he refers to them! We think he’s a little biased because it was then that he met his future wife, Kerry.
Their love story actually began in the Hoskings store in Frankston after Kerry had applied for a sales assistant role. She recalls being interviewed by Perc, who at the time was lying on the floor as he often suffered severe pain resulting from a wartime injury. Undeterred by the peculiar, and a little bit brusque interview, Kerry was delighted to accept the role!
Kerry’s first week at Hoskings coincided with Graham’s return from an overseas trip, so he kindly offered to show her the ropes. After explaining how to work the till and write receipts, Graham asked Kerry to place some Swiss Army knives in the shop window. They’d been opened out for display purposes and placed on a block of polystyrene foam. Kerry recalls, with a laugh thankfully, that the knives were heavier than she’d anticipated and once she picked them up, they immediately fell and cut her on the way down! Graham was mortified and did his best to help patch her up. Though it seems it was a perfect excuse to make it up to her by taking her out for dinner later! And so their love story had begun.
Despite that baptism of fire, Kerry and Graham went on to grow the business all the way from Frankston to the Northern Territory, establishing the first Hoskings Jewellers in Smith Street Mall, Darwin in October 1987. They are lucky to enjoy a long and happy marriage and are still involved in the family business, although their kids and their partners are now responsible for the day-to-day running.
Ginevra and Tony / Graham and Kerry / Clinton, Hayley and family
The Hoskings story continues with 3 generations
In the 1990’s, a young man called Anthony Nash joined Hoskings and became Graham’s right-hand man for the next 30 years. Staying true to Hosking’s romantic origins, Anthony met and fell in love with Ginevra Hosking (Kerry & Graham’s daughter) at ‘the most romantic jewellers’ in Frankston. They married in 2001 and their 3 kids are enthusiastic jewellers-in-training! In his tenure, Anthony has contributed to the continued growth of Hoskings Jewellers nationally and is now the General Manager of the Melbourne stores.
Graham’s eldest son Clinton Hosking is an award-winning jeweller, diamond specialist and gemmologist with over 30 years’ experience. He and his wife Hayley and their 3 beautiful children moved to Darwin in 2010 to manage the NT stores and have been warmly welcomed into the Darwin community.
Hoskings store managers 2020
Maintaining the values Hoskings Jewellers is famous for
The Hoskings family values are deeply entrenched in our business. We value integrity, kindness, responsibility and providing a quality service to our customers. And we extend that same significance of ‘family’ to our team members, many who have been with us for an incredible twenty to thirty-plus years!
Although, like Perc, we still love watches, nowadays our range of products includes all types of jewellery and gifts too. From traditional jewellery to the latest fashion brands and the most stunning engagement rings and bridal jewellery.
We’re lucky that our customers trust us to source beautiful jewellery, watches and gifts for them, often suggesting brands they’d like to see in store. That’s why we stock a wide range to make sure we can provide you with quality products and that exceptional level of service that Hoskings is famous for!
We’re proud to say that 76 years on, this third generation of Hoskings are just as invested in the Hoskings promise of quality products and excellent customer service, allowing the Hoskings story to live on. And we’re so grateful to have this opportunity to let you know how much we appreciate your contribution to the Hoskings story.
To speak to our customer service team, please call 1800 819 796 in VIC/ NSW/ QLD & TAS. Or (08) 8981 8895 if you’re in NT/WA or SA.
Written by Niamh Hislop
Historical images from @frankstonhistory
APPENDIX:
Acknowledgement of Country
Hoskings Jewellers acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Excerpt from The Frankston Standard, Wed 5th Oct 1949
“HOSKING, THE JEWELLER
The photograph appearing elsewhere in this "Jubilee" issue is a section of the 7 workshop where Mir. Hosking undertakes the repair of clocks, watches and jewellery.
Hosking's staff are not merely men who work at the trade for a living; but men who take pride in their 'microscopic,' art. Both before and after cleaning, each watch is critically examined for wear, which may be detrimental to the efficiency of the watch.
Atter cleaning, it is oiled, adjusted, and placed on a test rack for a period considered necessary. If a faulty- part is found during its examination, the watch is placed aside until the customer consents to its replacement. At various times the part needed is replaced at the expense of Mr. Hosking. It is after this cleaning period that the individual watchmaker, employed at Hosking's, views his work with pride. Not a particle of dirt anywhere; the highly polished watch plates gleaning against the minute jewels in their spun settings, and the regular, even glide of the balance wheel. When a part is unobtainable, Mr. Hosking generally manufactures the part himself, to "original-like" exactness.: This is only a small part of the watchmaking carried out at Hoskings, the Jewellers.” Frankston Standard, 5th October 1949
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74252708?browse=ndp%3Abrowse%2Ftitle%2FF%2Ftitle%2F233%2F1949%2F10%2F05%2Fpage%2F7169974%2Farticle%2F74252708#
Frankston City’s First Mayor
Having lived in Frankston for the past 38 years and having witnessed the spectacular growth that has taken place during this period, it gives me great personal satisfaction and pleasure to be associated with the elevation of the shire to city status and to become the first mayor of the city. I have but one regret, and that is that neither my mother nor my father was spared to see Frankston become a city; loving the district as they did, they would have been very proud parents and residents at this time.
The achievement of city status may be regarded by some as a mere change of name, while others may look upon it as a symbol of maturity and sophistication. I se it more as a starting point – an opportunity, if you like, to open doorways to greater prosperity and better living conditions.
Naturally, I don’t contend that the term “city” is a magical one which will transform Frankston into a Utopia overnight. However, I am confident that the new status will inspire far greater interest in community and civic matters throughout the municipality. After all, the council’s main function is to provide such services and amenities as the ratepayers as a whole demand and nothing but good can flow from any move that will help mould the council and citizens into a team, all members of which are striving to achieve common objectives.
While our thoughts at this time are naturally focussed on the present and the future, I think we should pause to express our sincere appreciation of what has already been done in building Frankston into the city that we know and love. Indeed, we must record our deep gratitude to those who, despite the acute shortages of finance, manpower and materials, and the many other difficulties of the day, were responsible for laying this excellent foundation.
In conclusion, I wish to take the opportunity at this significant point in Frankston’s history of conveying the council’s best wishes to all citizens.
P. G. Hosking.
@frankstonhistory