VBQ – Your Ideal Project Partner

Over its 50 years in operation, Victorian Bluestone Quarries (VBQ) has perfected the craft of stonemasonry. Founded in 1970 by stonemason Anthony Skliros, VBQ is a well-established family business with specialist knowledge in the local sourcing and production of premium bluestone solutions. We have developed extensive expertise and ability to efficiently deliver high quality bespoke products working across many sectors and diverse project types. We recognise that every project is unique – our bluestone is made to order with minimal lead times to suit all design aesthetics. This makes us an ideal project partner. VBQ takes a conscious mindset to supply chain, processing and operations.

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The VBQ family, a Passionate and Experienced Team

A second-generation family business, VBQ is managed by the four Skliros siblings. Our aim is to empower design, engineering and construction professionals to make informed decisions. We are focused on ensuring the benefits of using local bluestone are understood and celebrated. With more than 50 years in business, we have come a long way and marked many business milestones!

1964

Anthony migrates to Melbourne from a Greek Island called Lefkada. He worked numerous jobs to support himself and his family back in Greece. One of these is at Standard Quarries in Footscray, where they processed Australian granites and bluestone which supplied landmarks such as the NGV and Shrine of Remembrance.

1970

Anthony and his wife, Voula, established Melbourne’s first Greek speaking Stonemasonry, to cater to the migrant community. Anthony & Preston Memorials focused on monumental and building masonry using only natural Australian stone. By 1972, manufacturing had moved from the garage workshop to a new factory and office in Coburg.

1978

Anthony took on Work Authorities for other local granite and bluestone quarries. The family established Kessel Hill Pty Ltd to manage quarry holdings in Victoria and Australia’s north, allowing stone processing for other stonemasons. The core business remained monumental stonemasonry but expanded to residential / commercial under the name A.P.V.S. Marble & Granite.

1999

This year marked the “official” birth of VBQ with the building of a new stone processing facility in Lara, southwest of Melbourne, on one of our Work Authority sites. The facility focused on processing locally sourced Victorian Bluestone and cemented our experience in the Australian stone industry.

2000

This year saw VBQ appointed as official suppliers to the City of Melbourne which significantly increased our standing in the civil market. We also supplied our first export project – the first of many.

2013

Steady business growth over the intervening years led to the relocation of VBQ to a 25,000m2 site in Brooklyn, which enabled us to unite our processing and warehousing. These operations had previously been divided between Lara and Coburg.

2021

VBQ refreshes its position in the market with a new website and logo. Peter, Sophie, Tina and Harri are focused on developing the business into the future and creating new opportunities.

Peter Skliros

Managing Director

Peter’s childhood was spent shadowing his father in the original factory. After completing a stonemasonry apprenticeship in 1986, he gained invaluable quarrying and processing expertise. Peter manages business operations and is passionate about innovative processing techniques in the Australian natural stone industry. Peter leads by example and maintains strong industry connections. He’s also a keen fisherman and casts in a line whenever time permits!

Peter Skliros

Managing Director

Peter’s childhood was spent shadowing his father in the original factory. After completing a stonemasonry apprenticeship, he gained invaluable quarrying and processing expertise. Peter manages business operations and is passionate about innovative processing techniques in the Australian natural stone industry. Peter leads by example and maintains strong industry connections. He’s also a keen fisherman and casts in a line whenever time permits!

Sophie Skliros

Leader, Finance & Accounts

Sophie oversees VBQ’s accounts and finance, and property management. She balances strong ambition with conservatism and is VBQ’s voice of reason. Sophie officially joined the business after completing a Bachelor of Economics in 1996. It was a natural progression after being her father’s bookkeeper from the age of 15.

Sophie Skliros

Leader, Finance & Accounts

Sophie oversees VBQ’s accounts and finance, and property management. She balances strong ambition with conservatism and is VBQ’s voice of reason. Sophie officially joined the business after completing a Bachelor of Economics in 1996. It was a natural progression after being her father’s bookkeeper from the age of 15.

Sophie Skliros

Leader, Finance & Accounts

Sophie oversees VBQ’s accounts and finance, and property management. She balances strong ambition with conservatism and is VBQ’s voice of reason. Sophie officially joined the business after completing a Bachelor of Economics in 1996. It was a natural progression after being her father’s bookkeeper from the age of 15.

Tina Skliros

Leader, Major Contracts & Client Relations

Tina develops strong client relationships and upholds VBQ’s high quality of service. She ensures customised products meet unique project needs. After completing a Bachelor of Business Marketing, Tina worked in various marketing roles until completing her Master of Marketing. In 2006, she joined the family business in a customer service and estimating role.

Tina Skliros

Leader, Major Contracts & Client Relations

Tina develops strong client relationships and upholds VBQ’s high quality of service. She ensures customised products meet unique project needs. After completing a Bachelor of Business Marketing, Tina worked in various marketing roles until completing her Master of Marketing. In 2006, she joined the family business in a customer service and estimating role.

Harri Skliros

Leader, Business Development

Harri has played a key strategic role developing the business over the past decade. She is resourceful and pursues opportunities. After completing a Bachelor of Health Information Management, Harri pursued positions in pharmaceutical sales before joining VBQ in 2011 as Architectural Sales Representative. Her role has grown from there.

Harri Skliros

Leader, Business Development

Harri has played a key strategic role developing the business over the past decade. She is resourceful and pursues opportunities. After completing a Bachelor of Health Information Management, Harri pursued positions in pharmaceutical sales before joining VBQ in 2011 as Architectural Sales Representative. Her role has grown from there.

Harri Skliros

Leader, Business Development

Harri has played a key strategic role developing the business over the past decade. She is resourceful and pursues opportunities. After completing a Bachelor of Health Information Management, Harri pursued positions in pharmaceutical sales before joining VBQ in 2011 as Architectural Sales Representative. Her role has grown from there.

Gaofeng Zhang

Production Manager

Gaofeng skillfully manages production, scheduling and maintenance resolving issues that arise and ensuring quality and lead times are met. He has been with the business since 1999 and has vast experience in the mechanics of stone processing machinery. Always under pressure but unflappable, he is an integral part of the business.

Gaofeng Zhang

Production Manager

Gaofeng skillfully manages production, scheduling and maintenance resolving issues that arise and ensuring quality and lead times are met. He has been with the business since 1999 and has vast experience in the mechanics of stone processing machinery. Always under pressure but unflappable, he is an integral part of the business.

Our Process

Why Victorian Bluestone?

Gallery

“As a sculptor and artist, I have worked with Victorian Bluestone Quarries as a reliable supplier of one-off bluestone blocks and specialised cut to order slabs for over twenty years. The quality of the product and having access to this unique supply of stone has been essential for my creative business to thrive.”

– Anthony Russo, Orchard Design

We are Victorian bluestone specialists renowned for our friendly and reliable premium stonemasonry service. Contact us now for an obligation-free chat about your project needs.

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