The blood tests are fast, very professional and very painless. I have never had to wait longer than a couple of minutes which is good because they have a pathetic assortment of magazines. They bulk bill.

Approximate cost: $0

My cat had hurt her eye and this was the only local vet where I could have her seen immediately. They stayed open longer so that I could get her there and the vet and the vet nurse were very caring and very good with both my cat and myself. Its a small practice so is usually very hard to get in to see a vet but is worth it if you can wait. They sell stray kittens who are housed in the waiting room so its very difficult to come away without a new addition to the family!

Approximate cost: $120

John built a garden bed out of red bricks and mortar for us and gave us invaluable landscaping and gardening advice. He was highly skilled and very professional, arriving punctually and respecting our toddler's nap time and his inquiring nature. I highly recommend his services and believe he is one of the rare tradies who take great pride in their work.

Approximate cost: $35

The restaurant is huge and has a dedicated play area for the children similar to the ones you see in McDonalds. There are games and giant slides and enough for the children to do that you don't see them for 3 hours but know that they are safe and easily accessible. This is the most child friendly place in Brunswick! The meals are very big and ok quality and the staff are very lovely and child friendly. Big car park out the back.

Approximate cost: $20

I had my eyebrow waxed and the beautician dropped a wade of wax in my hair just above my ear. She wiped it with a towel and said it was better to leave it and just wash it out. The beautician was really dismissive about it, but took a week of washing and pulling to get it all out. I have never been back and I have never experienced this poor level of service from any other beauty therapy.

Approximate cost: $25

Dr Thai Lim is an outstanding family GP. He has an excellent manner with children and adults and is always highly supportive, sympathetic and complimentary. Its great to find a GP that can treat the entire family and treats us all so well. The main receptionist, Andrew is phenomenal. He is brilliant at squeezing you in in an emergency and has a very welcoming and reassuring manner. Its all you could ask for in a family doctors.

Approximate cost: $65

Jason is my three year old son's hairdresser and he is AMAZING with children. He genuinely enjoys cutting children's hair and so creates a fun and friendly experience. My son has had his hair cut by two other hairdressers and wouldn't sit still and hated every minute of it. He now asks to see Jason. I cannot recommend Jason highly enough. Jason works very quickly and achieves an excellent cut every time.

Approximate cost: $20

The staff are sooooo incredibly sweet and lovely and caring. They have an appointment system now and I have found getting an appointment to be fairly easy and the vets have been fairly punctual with their appointments. The vet nurses are beyond compare. Their compassion and dedication to the animals is inspiring.

Approximate cost: $16 a visit with a healtcare card

The Brunswick Flour Mill is a hot spot for mothers with prams and the staff are very attentive to these new mother's needs, which is touching to see. The service is highly professional and very attentive. The range of cakes and biscuits is excellent and they are all delicious! Its a great menu all around. The coffees are really good.

Approximate cost: $7.00 coffee and cake

Tom, one of the owners of Penny Royale is a beautiful looking, charming man with impeccable customer service skills. He is welcoming to small children in his cafe, providing some indoor and out door toys for their entertainment and forgiving them for their messiness. Its great to actually find a cafe with child-friendly staff. Tom is also and excellent barrista and I can highly recommend his coffees.

The food is great as well, including soldiers on the children's menu and a small range of crowd pleasers on the adults menu.

The only draw back is that one of the rudest and surliest waitresses in the world works there. She has finally turned us off going there, which is a pity because we enjoyed supporting Tom in his business.

Approximate cost: $12