Waratah Florist in Sydney celebrates 50 years of its floral journey

·

A Sydney family business, Waratah Florist celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.

Ever since Paul and Pauline Bertuzzi opened the florist shop in 1973, it has been an iconic spot and community favourite in Earlwood for everything flower-related.

Pauline and Paul’s daughter, Anne Andrades said she took over the shop eight years ago, however had been working there for close to 40 years as she helped her parents out when she was still in school.

waratah florist
Paul prior to opening his own shop when he worked in his uncle’s florist in Paddington. Photo supplied.
waratah florist
Paul in the late 80’s at Earlwood in the current shop.

“We’re a family business,” Anne told The Greek Herald.

“My mum still works with me behind the scenes and my husband now also works in the business, ever since my father passed away.”

Waratah Florist are located at 4/322 Homer Street in Earlwood, Sydney and specialise in floral arrangements for many hotels, weddings, engagements, graduations, funerals and more.

Anne said although she never imagined becoming a florist, it was a part of her upbringing.

Waratah Florist.
Anne (second from left) always knew she’d work at Waratah Florist.

“We sort of knew that was what we’re going to do and over time, I grew closer to customers, and I developed a love and passion for it,” she said.

“I also love the interaction with the customers, and I love the fact that the Greek community as a whole supports us so much.”

The Sydney florist said it was very exciting to hit 50 years with her family business.

Waratah Florist.
The business turned 50 this year.

“All I want to do is thank all the staff, past and present, because without them we wouldn’t be here,” Anne said.

“We have had a lot of people come and go and help us through the years and some of them have even stayed for 30 years with us, so we’re very grateful. Our staff are our family.”

Anne said the 50-year journey was one full of hard work, determination, and constant support.

“It’s all about having good customer service, and being fair and not greedy,” she said.

“I think that it’s also very important to give people value for their money.”

waratah florist
Waratah Florist team.

The florist further shared that this achievement also made her mother, Pauline really proud.

“Waratah Florist, to me, is a lifetime of hard work,” Pauline said.

“It feels unreal actually [that the business hit 50 years]. I can’t believe that many years have passed, but they have. It wasn’t easy, it was hours and hours of hard work.”

Anne said Pauline took a lot of pride in the business and everything they have achieved over the years.

“She is feeling the same as I am,” Anne said.

“She’s mentioned over the last few weeks to different people, that her proudest moment was doing the flowers for the Sheraton Wentworth hotel in the city when Lady Diana came to Sydney.

“It was quite a memorable moment for her and a memory she treasures to this day.”

Pauline shared what she loved about having the floristry in Earlwood.

“The people here are beautiful,” Pauline said.

“They are very, very supportive of me, and I always try to be supportive of them in every way possible.

“That’s the way we’ve kept in business, by helping each other.”

Anne said although the staff played a big role in holding the family business together, the customers also need to be thanked for their success.  

“I am also very thankful for our customers, we’ve had such an amazing and overwhelming response from them,” Anne said.

waratah florist
Anne, Pauline, Anne’s son and husband.

“They’ve been coming in and congratulating us, and it just makes me feel so proud. There are not many florists that have lasted so many years with that continuous support and loyalty.

“We value the smiles on our customers faces, the laughter, the joy and the memories we have made together and we are beyond grateful to have created long lasting friendships throughout our journey.”

Anne said she has two kids who are quite young, and despite not knowing whether they will carry on the family business in the future, she said, “I’ve still got enough energy to continue, not for another 50 years, but at least another 20.”

Waratah Florist is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6:30pm, Saturday 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm. You can find it at 4/322 Homer Street in Earlwood, Sydney.

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Athens to Adelaide: Hellenic bonds strengthened at dinner for Loverdos

South Australia’s Greek community gathered at the Mortlock Chamber to honour visiting Deputy Minister Ioannis Loverdos.

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney pays tribute to women of courage and resistance

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney hosted a deeply moving and meticulously researched presentation titled Greek Heroines of WWII.

Anemones in full bloom, 25 years of Greek dance and giving

The hall was brimming with warmth, laughter, dance, and homemade food; unmistakable signs you’d stepped into an Anemones celebration.

Sydney Olympic may be forced to drop new logo over Olympic symbol breach

Sydney Olympic FC may be forced to change its new logo after it was found to breach protections over official Olympic symbols.

Greek Australian community leader Nola Radiotis honoured with Senior Award

The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards took place at Government House on this Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 

You May Also Like

“Greek community and Bank of Sydney are one and the same,” says Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas

“I can proudly say that we are the only bank that contacted all the customers who have loans and cared about their wellbeing in a 100% way," Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas, tells The Greek Herald.

EU states to take in 1,600 migrant children in Greece

A group of European Union countries has agreed to take in at least 1,600 migrant children in Greece traveling without their parents

Aiva Anagnostiadis named Australia’s first F1 Academy driver

Aiva Anagnostiadis has recently been confirmed as Australia’s first driver to ever appear in the F1 Academy series.