By Callum Ludwig
The Woori Yallock, Hoddles Creek, Yellingbo, Launching Place and Don Valley (WHYLD) Community Groups’ seasonal Spring Secondhand minimarket is coming up this weekend.
Marking the fresh start a spring season provides, stalls were encouraged to begin a spring clean and sell up at Don Valley Hall on Saturday 17 September from 12 – 4pm.
Secretary of WHYLD and Minimarket Coordinator Meryl Knoll said it is a good opportunity for people to get cash for unwanted items.
“Anything legal goes, I really had in my head that this might be like a car boot sale where people would just come along and open their car boot and we’ve basically filled up the space inside,” she said.
“We’re prepared for any bad weather, with a bit more space under the roof and extra marquees. We hope people don’t cancel, as long as you’ve got a marquee over your head and you’re dry and warm, that’s the important thing.”
The spring edition of the markets, which were started last year, follows the Autumn Harvest market and Winter Craft market, with a Summer Festive market also still to come in December.
Ms Knoll said WHYLD really want the markets to go with the seasons.
“We start the year with the autumn harvest because that’s about the time most people are bringing in their harvest, in March. Then in winter, we have craft which is something that people probably tend to do more in winter, before a spring clean with second hand and a festive market to celebrate the festive season in summer,” she said.
“This is our first Spring Secondhand market because the one for last year was cancelled due to the lockdown and we’ve actually got quite a lot of secondhand items as well as others. It’ll just be quite a mix of stuff and hopefully, there will be plenty of bargains.”
The WHYLD Co-Op stall will be selling fresh local produce, Yarra Valley Red Cross will be selling handmade goods and homemade spreads and preserves and Don Valley Primary School will be firing up the barbeque.
Ms Knoll said we should all celebrate coming out of the winter months.
“It’s always a nice time of year when you see the trees budding and the blossom, I just came in from the garden as the wind started and it’s blowing all the blossom like it’s raining which is quite nice,” she said.
“I think most people love Spring, and on days like this, we can all go out and enjoy. I’m sure a lot of people are in the garden today.”
Attendees can hold on to their ticket for a chance at winning a $10 voucher at a stall of their choosing. Yarra Valley Drummers will keep everyone entertained and the proceeds from the event will go to future markets and deliver a great community experience and become self-sustainable.
Ms Knoll said the market is affordable to help support the local community.
“These markets aren’t just about people selling things, it’s about bringing the community together. That’s what WHYLD is about,” she said.
“Hopefully we can continue to have some local entertainment so people can come and grab a coffee, sit down and socialise a little bit, rather than just come and shop and run out again. We like to encourage people to hang around.”
The event is plastic bag-free so BYO or purchase one on-site.
