Australia’s Garage Sale Trail wends its way through the Eurobodalla Shire on October 20 and 21.
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It is Australia's biggest re-use event, with more than 10000 garage sales held nation-wide.
Co-founder Darryl Nichols said the event is a step beyond a good spring clean:“It’s a great form of sustainability. A lot of people are pretty good at recycling, but don’t know that re-using actually sits higher than recycling on the waste hierarchy. The impact on the environment is much greater.”
Bernie Richards, of Broulee, will be hosting her fourth Garage Sale Trail event – but it’s a first for the “Broulee Bazaar”.
“Every year we set up a big chai tent – people come for the garage sale, but they eat as well,” Ms Richards said.
“I’m looking forward to having it in Broulee, because previously we’ve been in Congo as ‘Congo Bongo’, so now it’s ‘Broulee Bazaar’.
“We want it to be something the community buzzes about for months afterwards.
“Every year we try to do something different. It’s like a mini community festival.”
It’s a festival with a cause – the ‘Broulee Bazaar’, like ‘Congo Bongo’ before it, will raise money for the Refugee Action Collective Eurobodalla.
“The first one I did – we had five artists, we had the chai tent going, and we raised something like $1,300,” Ms Richard said.
“It’s grown from there. People are really generous with their time, and the memories you have from past events that are really special.”
Some special offerings available at the ‘Broulee Bazaar’ include an authentic fez, and 1950’s ball gown.
“It’s great to get rid of unwanted items, but there’s a story behind everything we sell, and that’s why I like (the Garage Sale Trail) – I can tell them where I bought an item and the story behind it,” Ms Richards said.
“I’ve travelled a lot, so I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff and it’s a really good way to share those experiences, as well as reduce, reuse, recycle.
“I’ve decided to part with my beloved fez – I don’t really have anywhere to wear it in Broulee. I found it when I was living in China, and it comes from a persecuted tribe.
“I’ve also got a 1950’s gold lame ballgown that has some lovely memories attached, and an authentic German dirndle.”
The bazaar also features books, vinyl records, jewellery and assorted “bits and bobs”.
If you’d like to declutter, or find a bargain, head to the Garage Sale Trail website at: http://www.garagesaletrail.com.au