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Brief
history of Glazit
Proprietor of Glazit, Mark Carpenter, moved straight into the
trade of, Carpentry and Joinery, as an apprentice with Wilson
Hart, Rockhampton after finishing school in 1975. Some of the
training included in glass and aluminium joinery and installation.
After finishing the trade, Mark looked to further his experience
in the glass industry. The idea of staying in a factory never
impressed Mark very much, because he enjoyed, creative practical
art, the out doors, and mixing with people.
Marks great uncle Mr Joe Moss (who was born in Rockhampton, and
was one of the early Lakes Creek School students, and whose father
worked at the Lakes Creek Meat Works) had at that time his own
large leadlighting business in Toowoomba. Mark was always impressed
with the beauty of leadlights, so the quest to further his knowledge
in that area of glasswork began. There was no thought of ever
starting a business, even though business was a way of life for
him. Mark's parents were in business at Hire Trestles in Park
Avenue. When the opportunity arose to attend a leadlighting workshop
in Rockhampton, Mark grabbed the opportunity and enjoyed the experience
so much he knew wanted to make leadlights for the rest of his
life, and if you're a leadlighter you will understand that, its
addictive. There was a real need throughout Central Queensland
for a leadlight production and repair service.
Mark Carpenter in the consulting room at the GLAZIT workshop
The start
Receiving encouragement from workmates, family and friends, in
May 1981 Mark gave up the secure job he had, to start out in business.
Starting a business was so much less complex in the early eighties.
Getting supplies was difficult, and expensive, and transporting
glass was always risky. There was only one person leadlighting
part time in Rockhampton, and he didn't sell supplies. All supplies
had to come from Brisbane, which is still the case for Mark, but
not for the hobbiest, because he supplies the materials and tools
through Glazit.
Little was known about starting a business but good advice was
given, and knowledge had to be gained quickly to survive. Mark
placed a small add in the local paper promoting repairs and manufacture
of leadlights, and the work started pouring in. The business grew,
and a reputation of, a good job for a low price, was established.
Working under the name of Mark's Glass and Leadlights, Mark worked
from underneath his rented home in Bowen Terrace Rockhampton,
until he built a home in 1983 at 351 Hinds Street Koongal, and
moved the glass studio to that address. The Business name was
changed Glazit, in 1995. The reason for the change was to take
Mark's name out of the business and provide an easy to remember
single name, and prepare for expantion. It was like starting again,
but Mark's reputation for a quality service remained and continues
to grow. -
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