Market thrives in face of wild weather warnings

By Bree Harding

Aug 26, 2024

Cindy Silveira sells her creations at her Hooked By Chin stall at Mooroopna Market. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Despite the wild weather warning reducing the number of stallholders brave enough to trade — and the number of trading hours — the first market in Mooroopna since 2018 was a triumphant success.

Julie Rafferty brought her six-year-old King Charles cavalier, Davey, with her to the pet-friendly market. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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From fresh-baked items and unique crafts to food trucks and product tastings, plus a free jumping castle for the kids, there was something to interest everyone.

Helen’s Woodwork and Resin stall owner Helen Smith with some of her creations. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

After working to get the market off the ground since the beginning of the year, Mooroopna Market organiser Belinda Pritchard said a forecast for severe storms had meant almost half the booked stalls had pulled out in the days leading up to Sunday’s launch.

However, looking along the rows bustling with shoppers, there were no obvious gaps.

Ms Pritchard is no stranger to the challenges that come with hosting markets.

It was a family effort selling plants at Mooroopna Market for the Eddy family, including Hayden, 10, Jaxon, 11, Rhiann, 15, Melissa and Kieron. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Originally from Mooroopna, she also runs the monthly Nagambie market and a couple of others closer to Melbourne.

Marley, Ivy and Violet Henderson with their purchases at Mooroopna Market. Photo by Bree Harding

There are 78 stallholders on Ms Pritchard’s list for future markets, with a capacity of 100.

Siblings Harmony, 10, Cienna, 8, and Kalina, 6, Hexter-Briggs with their cousin Lucy Lui, 4, at Mooroopna Market. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

She was thrilled with the community interest and support after 1800 people had responded as attending via the market’s Facebook event page.

Anna Duke and Bella of Made by Anna Louise were thrilled with the turnout at Mooroopna Market on the weekend. Photo by Bree Harding

Stallholder Anna Duke, who braved predicted adverse conditions and showed up to sell her handmade keyrings, lanyards and car diffusers through her Made by Anna Louise market stall, was equally impressed with patronage.

“It’s been an amazing turnout; I wasn’t expecting this many,” she said.

Artic Creations’ Nathan Tetley was doing a roaring trade selling his 3D-printed creations at Mooroopna Market. Photo by Bree Harding

Nathan Tetley, who has only been selling the 3D-printed creations he’s been making for more than seven years via markets since mid-winter, could barely keep up with the customers swarming around his Artic Creations stall on Sunday.

“We’ve been having more success selling at markets than online,” Mr Tetley said.

Emma Chua with her sons Justin, 4, and Franklin, 2, enjoying time together at the market. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Lions Club volunteers Pat Goyne, Bill Winters and Rob McDougall were pumping out buckets of chips from their food van to feed the hungry hordes and said it was great to see a market back in Mooroopna after their club had stopped hosting the former Mooroopna Farmers’ Market in 2018.

BB Woodcarving stall owner Bob Beecroft with a piece he created with a hidden Holden in the wood work. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The community market will be held at Ferrari Park on the last Sunday of each month from 9am to 2pm, except in December, when it will be the last Sunday before Christmas.

The market is free to the public and sites begin at $35.