The local faces behind three businesses that have contributed to Canberra's legacy

Who are the local faces behind the businesses you know and love?

The ones who lift your spirits with their roaring voices, smiling faces and mouth-watering food?

We take a look at just three of the countless businesses that have contributed to Canberra’s legacy over the past 20 years and beyond.

Farhod “Freddy” Moarefi

Known for: Spruiking fruit and vegetables at Trugolds at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets

Time in job: 30 years

If you’ve ever ventured to Trugolds at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, chances are you’ve seen the smiling face (or heard the booming voice) of Farhod “Freddy” Moarefi.

The now full-time bus driver has spent the past 30 years spruiking the specials and giving Canberrans a taste test of the most deliciously sweet and juicy fruit and vegetables.

Freddy arrived in Australia from Persia in the late ’80s.

“I was studying at university in Persia when the revolution happened,” says Freddy.

“My father was in the secret service for the king and lost his job. He told me to get out of the country and go to Europe before things get worse, so I packed up and went to Germany.

“I was 19 and, in the end, a friend said I needed to go to a country with a cleaner lifestyle like Australia, and because I had family here, I decided to come to Canberra.”

Soon after his arrival, Freddy’s family threw him a welcome dinner to meet a few of their friends. One just so happened to be the owner of a fruit shop at the Fyshwick markets and with a little prompting from his aunty, he left with the promise of a job.

“Customers know me because I’m always making them laugh.” – Farhod Moarefi

“Five days later I started and I haven’t stopped since,” says Freddy.

For Freddy, those who surround him at Trugolds are like family.

And while he says he’s too old to continue the labour-heavy work at the fruit shop, he still works every Saturday because he loves the people.

“Customers know me because I’m always making them laugh,” says Freddy.

“Like last Saturday, I was spruiking passionfruit and I was asking, ‘Is anyone looking for some passion today?’ A lady passed me and told me she already had plenty of passion and I said, ‘No, not for you, for your husband!’ And she said, ‘Give me three packs!’”

Freddy is also known for giving customers a taste of the sweetest in-season fruit, but with COVID-19- related restrictions in place, that’s not possible any more.

In fact, even before 2020, Freddy said things in the area had changed a fair bit.

“Life is a lot more expensive these days. Rent is more expensive which means produce is more expensive and we’re competing with the bigger supermarkets that can afford to offer very cheap prices,” he says.

“People aren’t travelling across Canberra as much for their fruit and veggies because they can get what

Padmini “Minnie” Gaundar

Known for: Serving up sensational curries with a smile at Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant in Pearce

Time in job: 29 years

No matter what happens in her life, there is never a day that Padmini “Minnie” Gaundar isn’t smiling.

For locals, she’s the joyful face behind one of the area’s most popular restaurants, Rama’s, discreetly located at the Pearce shops.

It’s one of those “if you know, YOU KNOW,” restaurants, having been attended by many a football player and politician including Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.

Having grown up in Fiji and venturing to Canberra to study at college and complete a bachelor of science at ANU, Minnie says she never really had a desire to work in a restaurant or own her own business.

But when the opportunity to purchase Rama’s came about in ’91, it was one she couldn’t pass up (and not for the reasons you might think).

“My sister was working there as a chef and the owners were sponsoring her to stay in the country,” Minnie says.

“I always go into work giving it 100 per cent and not letting a bad day get in the way.” – Padmini Gaundar

“So, when they put the business up for sale, we were very worried my sister would have to go back to Fiji. So we decided to secure her sponsorship, we would buy the business.”

At the time, Minnie was working at a local bank and for several years after purchasing the restaurant she would continue her work there, as well as pursuing weekend work at the Woden newsagency.

“Back then, things were very slow. Some Saturdays we were flat out making $150 over the entire night,” says Minnie.

Eventually, locals started to discover the incredible food being served at this humble little restaurant. By ’95 it was busy enough for Rama’s to receive a renovation and since then Minnie says she hasn’t looked back.

“Our business has gone from strength to strength and I feel grateful that we’ve been able to create jobs for so many more people than just my sister,” she says.

“We’ve hired other Indian women, taught them how to work in a kitchen and helped them form friendships.”

Even though it was a career she accidentally fell into, Minnie has no doubt that she has found her passion.

“I love food and people,” says Minnie.

“I always go into work giving it 100 per cent and not letting a bad day get in the way. Rama’s is like one of my babies.” And it shows.

Customers treat Minnie like a close friend, delivering her flowers on her birthday or sending her home-baked sweet treats to say thank you for her service.

In the 29 years Minnie has owned Rama’s, she says the surrounding suburb and broader Woden area has changed so much.

“Pearce has become a more expensive suburb to live in, but it’s a great one for families,” says Minnie.

“Woden is also such a hub and it’s like the new middle of Canberra.”

Minnie believes the population growth in the region has certainly impacted her business in a positive way.

“Locals don’t have to drive far to go to a nice restaurant. They can just walk down.”

Sascha & Joelle Brodbeck

Known for: Flipping juicy flame-grilled burgers from a little red caravan called Brodburger

Time in job: 11 years

It’s arguably Canberra’s most iconic burger joint steeped in history from humble beginnings as a little red caravan by Lake Burley Griffin, but few know that the recipe for the Brodburger was developed in one night.

Working well under pressure, co-owner Sascha Brodbeck and his father stayed up late one night to create the recipe that would become a Canberra sensation.

“My dad is a chef by trade and while I was also on the path to be one, I never quite got there,” says Sascha – perhaps because a popular burger got in the way.

Born in Switzerland, Sascha made the move to Australia with his parents in the early ’90s.

From a young age, he was bound to be a hospitality prodigy.

“My parents owned a pub-style restaurant in Switzerland. I still remember being a young boy, sitting at the bench eating a sausage while watching my dad cook,” says Sascha.

“I’ve always loved comfort food and my dream was to do pretty much exactly what I’m doing now – creating good food that’s accessible to everyone, no matter how rich or poor you are.”

“My dream was to do pretty much exactly what I’m doing now.” – Sascha Brodbeck

Sascha met his wife and co-owner, Joelle, on a night out at a little-known club called Lot 33 in 2007.

The couple put together a business plan to own a bricks and mortar store, but when the landlord knocked back their proposal, they knew they needed to think outside the box.

“So I decided we needed to get a van and a few days later, we had one!” says Joelle.

The couple chose their iconic Bowen Park location after spending many afternoons grabbing takeaway and heading down to the lake to relax and chill out together.

They operated there for three years, with countless Canberrans waiting upwards of an hour (sometimes in 0-degree temperatures) to wrap their hands around Brod’s tasty burgers.

But after a dispute with the National Capital Authority, Brodburger made the move to the Canberra Glassworks at the Kingston Foreshore.

“When we moved, there was only one apartment block to our left and nothing else,” says Joelle.  Since then, the foreshore has seen myriad development.

“We’ve loved seeing the foreshore grow around us, bringing more people and more business to the area,” says Joelle.

“We would give people buzzers so they could explore the area while they waited for their food.”

The couple says over the past 11 years they’ve developed such a love and passion for the local community.

“We’ve had families who have grown with us, who came to the lake as young kids and are now adults visiting us regularly,” adds Joelle.

Since 2009, Brodburger has expanded, opening up two other vans with another on the way.

Read more of Allhomes’ 20th anniversary story series here.