Ballarat Antique Fair celebrates 40 years

By Kim Stephens
Updated November 2 2012 - 1:29pm, first published March 8 2010 - 1:34pm
LOVE OF ANTIQUES: Lori Victorsen checks out the 3m scale model of the Titanic at Ballarat's 40th antiques fair at the Ballarat Badminton Centre on Saturday. Picture: Kyle Barnes
LOVE OF ANTIQUES: Lori Victorsen checks out the 3m scale model of the Titanic at Ballarat's 40th antiques fair at the Ballarat Badminton Centre on Saturday. Picture: Kyle Barnes

ANTIQUE dealers Tarin D'Este-Holmes and her husband Matt Holmes travelled from the Sunshine Coast to Ballarat to claim a prized spot at Ballarat's 40th antiques fair at the weekend.As the hordes poured in on Saturday, it seemed the trip was worth it.Originally from England, Ms D'Este-Holmes, a third-generation art dealer who also trades in antique European furniture, described those perusing the various stalls as a "very knowledgeable crowd"."True collectors are always looking for good pieces ... we are looking forward to not taking some of the bigger pieces home," she said.Fair organiser John Markworth said 100 stall holders from across the country travelled to Ballarat at the weekend for their chance to trade at the fair."There is generally a waiting list. The event is booked out from one year to the next, but we like to have a rotation each year so we have a few new ones," he said.Mr Markworth said a diverse range of antiques were offered this year, from ancient Greek and Roman antiquities to collectables from the 1970s.He said the fair had earned a solid reputation as one of Australia's best, and it was expected that 18,000 people would pass through the doors over the three days."They come from absolutely everywhere. For many it's the highlight of the year," he said."Before we opened in the morning the queue stretched for two blocks."Normally a person would need to drive hundreds of kilometres to see what is all in one room this weekend."Warrnambool sisters Rachel Matthews and Annie MacCulloch came with their mother Marianne MacCulloch for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday."Mum bought something in the first five minutes," Ms Matthews said.The sisters said their love of antiques came from their mother, and they eagerly awaited the fair each year."I like the Victorian furniture and Rachel likes the Art Deco," Ms MacCulloch said."In Warrnambool we're a bit isolated, so here we can find everything in one place."

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