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The Fish Works has been trading since 2002, when Bernard, Anne and Matthew Lai put a shovel into the ground of an old horse paddock.
We had been breeding and selling koi for many years before that, but just trading out of our home in Allambie.
Now The Fish Works is now known as the experts in all things fish ponds, with over 30 years of experience.
We are your one-stop shop for everything to build, stock and maintain your garden fish pond, with expert free advice to anyone, be it your DIY homemaker, Architects, builders and landscapers.
We give honest advice and experienced advice and sell only the best brands., with long warranty periods and an emphasis on energy efficiency.
We want everyone who wants a pond, to have a great experience and avoid the costly mistakes that can easily be made when designing or running a fish pond or water feature.
We will match anyone’s advertised price.
But don’t take our word for it! Check out our reviews from our customers!
Who are we though?
Matt is the proprietor of The Fish Works
Matt has a Bachelor of Science degree (Environmental) from the University of Sydney where he studied animal and plant biology, chemistry as well as coastal and catchment management, among other fields.
He has over 20 years of experience in designing fish ponds, biological filtration systems, and installations and has provided advice on hundreds of ponds around Australia.
Matt’s father Bernard Lai has been a koi and goldfish breeder for 35 years and was one of the first designers and manufacturers of bio balls in Australia, having come from a background in engineering. Matt has learned much of his knowledge from Bernard’s experience in fish husbandry, filtration design and pond aesthetic.
Growing up in a “fish family” had Matt surrounded by fish ponds growing up, watching his father breed koi, as well as breeding tropical fish himself, such as Bettas and guppies and native fish as a child.
Matt keeps abreast with the latest developments in products, practices and science within the pond industry, having attended events such as
Matt can help you with your pond and filtration design for builders, architects and DIY pond builders.
He can troubleshoot fish pond water quality issues and tailor solutions
Available for pond consultation site visits to assess current pond equipment and recommend improvements to systems to fix common problems with ponds such as poor water quality/fish health.
Tunji has been an integral part of The Fish Works team since 2015.
Tunji has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology which has given him strong foundations in plant and animal biology, environmental and biological processes, among other fields
He also has a professional history in Wildlife Conservation in Nigeria (primate conservation) which has given him a wealth of experience in animal husbandry, genetics, and medicine.
In the fish pond industry, he brings a depth of knowledge and experience, having consulted on literally hundreds of ponds in Sydney for pond and filtration design, installation and tailored maintenance programs.
Tunji keeps abreast with the latest developments in products, practices and science within the pond industry, having attended events such as
Tunji can help you with your pond and filtration design for builders, architects and DIY pond builders.
He can troubleshoot fish pond water quality issues and tailor solutions
Available for pond consultation site visits to assess current pond equipment and recommend improvements to systems to fix common problems with ponds such as poor water quality/fish health.
The Fish Works proudly supports a variety of local and international charities. We strongly believe that all successful businesses owe a debt to the community that supports them.
The Fred Hollows Foundation
These guys are amazing, once we heard that these guys can restore someone’s sight for as little as $25, we decided to support them. What a great cause and great ambassadors for Australia abroad.
We donate $75 per month to these guys, which gives us a great feeling, but more importantly, gives the gift of sight to people in need.
Please click on their logo to go straight to their donations page.
Wayside Chapel
Wayside Chapel provides services and meals to homeless people in Sydney. Their work is invaluable. In 2020, The Fish WOrks donated $8000 to buy over 400 traditional Xmas meals for people in need.
Access Industries
Access Industries is a non-profit organisation that help people with disabilities to gain meaningful work and with developing their work skills, with a view to increasing their personal and financial independence and enabling them to take their rightful place as productive and valued members of Australian society.
They run awesome raffles a few times a year with great prizes! Check out their website and see how you can help by clicking on their logo! We are always in the raffle, we will win the prize one day! 😉
World Vision
Everyone know’s what these guys do. We sponsor a cool kid in Laos, who is doing great in school (and judging by his school work, trying much harder than I did!!) 😉 Keep it up Phick!
Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia
In 2013, one of our dearest customers sadly passed away from a form of Motor Neurone Disease. Science will find a cure for this one day but needs both dedicated scientists and funds to do this. They have the scientists.
MND Australia works in collaboration with the state MND associations to help Australians impacted by MND live better for longer. They provide trusted information and raise awareness to promote the best possible care and support. They play an authoritative role in shaping government policies to empower the MND community. Every research project financed by MND Australia has been scrutinised and endorsed by their committee of experts to ensure that our supporters’ donations fund only the best research.
The Fish Works donates $50 per month towards the research arm of the MND. We encourage you to visit their website to see if there is any way you can contribute too.
Medecins San Frontieres – Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) is the world’s leading independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid. Every day more than 24,000 Médecins Sans Frontières field staff are providing assistance to people caught in crises around the world. They have offices in 19 countries supporting these teams, including our office in Sydney. Every year around one hundred Australians and New Zealanders are sent to and supported in the field by Médecins Sans Frontières Australia.
We believe that providing free medical treatment in some of the world’s most dangerous and desperate places is such a worthwhile cause because so many innocent people get caught up in these places and are in need of medical treatment due to the actions of others. A life saved, is a friend for life.
The Fish Works donates $50 per month to this most important of initiatives.
UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 428(V). The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and to find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
We contribute $50 per month to this agency that is more stretched than ever, due to the ongoing wars of our times and the human cost that comes with this.