Catanach
From her days as a child polishing silver to moving toward her role as
future custodian of Catanach’s Jewellers, Olivia Catanach is ready to
take on the next chapter for her family’s incredible, long-standing
business. Completing her gemmology qualifications, she embraces the
family’s deep commitment to the craft. Olivia now leads the 150-year
celebration, honouring the Catanach legacy with the Botanical Series
inspired by family and looks forward to shaping the future of
Catanach’s with pieces that reflect timeless beauty.
The next Catanach’s
custodian
For Olivia Catanach growing up,
Catanach’s Jewellers was always at the
centre of her and her sister Lexie’s
universe. Some of Olivia’s earliest
childhood memories are of time spent in
the shop cleaning silver on a Saturday
afternoon. School holidays were often
spent with Papa — Blair Catanach —
getting to know gems and antiques.
Taking on the role of the next custodian
of Catanach’s Jewellers is something
Olivia is proud and excited to move in
to.
Upholding dedication to
gemmology
In 1947, Olivia’s great-grandfather William
‘Bill’ Catanach (you met him back in
Chapter 3) helped to establish the
Victorian branch of the Gemmological
Association of Australia (GAA). Just last
year, Olivia completed her specialist
gemmology diploma qualification with
the GAA — an area in which she has a
great amount of skill and passion. Olivia
intends on furthering her studies in
gemmology, upholding the Catanach
family commitment for the craft and
dedication to fine jewels.
Celebrating the family’s
150-year legacy
Coming to the forefront of the family
business 150 years after George William
Catanach sailed to Australia and began
Catanach’s Jewellers, Olivia wasn’t going
to let this anniversary pass by unnoticed.
After all, how many family businesses
can say they have been going strong for
150 years? And through all the time that
has passed, the family is still in the store
and creating timeless pieces for
customers to this very day. Olivia and
the Catanach’s Jewellers team has
coordinated this 150-year celebration
including a special anniversary
commemorative book chronicling a
century and a half of precious memories.
They have gathered customer stories
from all over the country and the world,
including some who’s pieces have been
photographed and will feature in the
book. And of course they have been the
instigators of this very online celebration
to share the Catanach story.
The Botanical Series:
Hydrangea
The hydrangea flowers have long had a
connection with the Catanach family,
and so their featuring as the inspiration
for the 150-year celebration collection is
a warm homage. The Botanical Series is
a testament to Catanach's 150 years of
crafting beauty. Its pieces spotlight the
delicate yet powerful nature of the
hydrangea. Symbolising abundance,
heartfelt emotion, and gratitude,
hydrangeas were also the favourite
flower of Corona ‘Coco’ Catanach. Olivia
has always loved hydrangeas too — so
much so that they lined the aisle at her
wedding in 2023. Inspired by Coco’s
care and dedication, incorporating these
striking flowers into the 150-year
anniversary collection has been a lovely
way to pay tribute to then and now.
Continuing tradition of
giving back
Olivia is committed to carrying on the
family's tradition of giving. To begin with,
she’s continuing a 10+ year partnership
with the Epworth Gala Ball, taking part
again in 2024. This year Catanach’s will
be donating a limited edition hydrangea
piece from the 150-year Botanical Series
to be auctioned at the event. Events like
these make a remarkable fundraising
impact and Catanach’s Jewellers will
continue to strive to make a positive
difference through charitable ventures,
as the family always has.
The future of Catanach’s
Jewellers
We’ve learned a lot about the fascinating
150 year journey of Catanach’s Jewellers
and the Catanach family — but what’s
next? Olivia feels that being a custodian
of this family establishment brings her a
great sense of pride. She looks forward
to being a part of the next generation of
pieces. From remodelling pieces to be
loved again, to crafting once in a lifetime
trophies, and of course creating that
special piece to mark a magical moment
in life, Catanach’s Jewellers will continue
to be at the forefront.
“I feel that our strength is in timeless
beautiful pieces. Made by our family to
stay in yours for generations to come.”
– Olivia Catanach.
Jewellery inspired by this era
Buy your own piece of Catanach’s history.
Thank you for being a part of the Catanach’s Jewellers
150 Years of Timeless Beauty
celebration.
Ready to relive the journey? Start from the beginning in
1874 and explore our story
all over again.