About Croydon Galleries

Croydon Galleries was established in April 1978 by Mary Brooke alongside her son Grant Brooke. The business originated as a small gallery in Mary’s family home garage, which then quickly relocated to our location of Mount Dandenong Road in Croydon as is present to this day. Croydon Galleries remained in the Brooke family until November 2003. Darren Wilkinson, who had been working for Croydon Galleries with the Brooke’s since June 2000; purchased the business from the Brooke Family to continue the Croydon Galleries name. To this day the business has been in the caring and experienced hands of Darren, Fran who has been with the business for over 15 years and as of May 2026, Olivia, his youngest daughter, has also joined the family business to continue the legacy.

Meet the Boss:

Darren Wilkinson is the owner of Croydon Galleries. He came from a glazing and cabinet making background in his youth. Later in life he began his picture framing career with Groves & Pringle in 1989. In January 1995, he was offered the opportunity to relocate overseas to England by his employers to establish Groves & Pringle U.K Ltd. Darren single-handedly, at 24 years of age opened a custom picture framing store in Buckinghamshire as well as a hobby picture framing equipment company called “FrameCo. UK Ltd”

Darren returned to Australia in January 1997 where he managed the moulding manufacturing branch at Groves & Pringle.

Early 1998 he started working for Steven Print Gallery in Abbotsford. Peter Steven, the owner of Steven Print Gallery was an integral part of forming Darren’s work ethic and skills and with Peter’s help, Darren learnt high-end picture framing techniques that are required in being a successful custom picture framer. Peter retired in June 2000 which led Darren to begin his journey with the Brooke’s Family at Croydon Galleries. Peter mentored Darren with the purchasing of the business in 2003. Darren is still the successful business owner of Croydon Galleries to this very day!