43 years, countless Sundays: The man who never missed a market day retires

On Father's Day, Candelo Market bid a fond farewell to the long-time committee member who "missed almost no market days" in 43 years.

The idea for the market originally came from the late Dr Jake Morgan, who wanted to "create something for the children" of Candelo.

Following the doctor's sudden death, Mr Chance and a small committee took the reins to bring that vision to life at a time when no other Bega Valley markets existed.

Speaking to the Bega District News, a former committee member highlighted how the market took off, saying it "generated this great income within the town and it had flourished from that point".

While creating a place to give local youth something to do, the market had since evolved into a vibrant space for locals to sell fresh produce, second-hand goods, and original artworks.

Funds raised from the market were used to build the Candelo and Kameruka Swimming Pool in 1997 on land donated by Frank Foster, the previous owner of Kameruka Estate.

"Peter was very instrumental during the construction of the pool. He bulldozed the hole, did the tiling, organised the plumbing and worked with engineers to build the swimming pool. Pete can do anything," the former committee member said.

Following the pool's construction, Mr Chance and his wife Yvonne worked alongside volunteers to expand the market into a major fundraiser, equipping playgrounds, installing park benches, and supporting events like the Candelo Village Festival.

"The town is really appreciative of the hundreds of hours Peter and Yvonne have put in for the betterment of Candelo," the former committee member said.

Reflecting on her time on the committee, another former member, Judy Winters, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Mr Chance, Mrs Chance and several founding members who were no longer with us.

"Peter was a very calming influence that made sure that everything ran smoothly. He was always there. He was always there to help with any questions, anything that was a bit of a concern," Ms Winters said.

"He was very good to work with."

Current committee member Peter Smith echoed those sentiments, noting that Mr Chance's long-standing dedication would not be forgotten.

"His efforts will be missed on market day," Mr Smith said.

"It would be nice that he gets a little bit of recognition. He was fantastic to work with and he pretty much turned up to every market."

While news of Mr Chance's departure marked an emotional transition, Mr Smith said the long-serving stalwart was stepping back for good reason: to focus on his family.