New 'trash and treasure' market to launch in Newcastle

A new "trash and treasure" market launches on Sunday.

Holly Pobje is reviving the popular Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans Market, also known as Islington Market, which had attracted bargain hunters to Wickham Park on the last Sunday of the month for the past three decades.

Last month's market was cancelled when the Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans, who organised the market to raise money for veteran welfare, decided not to renew their licence to run the market.

"Unfortunately the OBE has got to us," Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans committee member Allan Crumpton told the Newcastle Herald last month.

"Over bloody 80.

"We simply don't have enough of our fellows to continue on with the markets."

Ms Pobje stepped in, got the necessary approvals from City of Newcastle, and will launch the new-look monthly market on Sunday.

"I own food trailers and have been involved in events for some time, but event management is really in my blood. My parents have run many events over the years, so I've grown up around the planning, organisation and community spirit that comes with them," she said.

"I also genuinely felt that the community needed this market. The Islington markets were loved by so many people, and I didn't want to see that sense of community disappear.

"Reviving the market is my way of helping keep something special alive while giving local stallholders, makers, producers and small businesses a place to showcase what they do."

And for those wondering if the market will keep its eclectic vibe and continue to offer second-hand goods for sale, the answer is yes.

"Wickham Park Markets will never be a bougie white-tent market. There's absolutely nothing wrong with those markets, they're just not what we're trying to create here," Ms Pobje said.

"We want to keep that good old trash-and-treasure vibe that everyone knows and loves. You'll see a real mix of secondhand goods, vintage and pre-loved items, local makers, creators, producers and small businesses.

"The whole idea is to create a market where you never quite know what little treasure you're going to find. It's about being affordable, relaxed, welcoming and, most importantly, keeping that community feel alive."

Ms Pobje has some "big ideas" for the markets, looking forward, but for now the priority is "getting the market back up and running and giving everyone a chance to come along and enjoy it again".

"I think I've gained a few more grey hairs ... but we got there, and I'm really excited that we've managed to make things happen in time for this month's market," she said.

"Given the short turnaround for the August market, it will be what it will be, and that's OK.

"The market has the necessary approvals in place, and now it's about getting each individual stallholder organised. Public liability insurance is a must for every stallholder, and honestly, it's in everyone's best interest to have it anyway.

"It protects the stallholder, the public and the market, so everyone can enjoy the day with a bit more peace of mind.

"I want to sit down and talk with the long-standing stallholders, listen to what they loved about the old market, what they'd like to see going forward, and where we can take it together.

"At the end of the day, it's their market too. I want to build something that works for the stallholders, the community and the people who come along every month."

One of the questions she plans to ask longstanding stallholders is whether or not the markets should continue to raise money for the Newcastle and Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans.

"I think it's important that the market continues to give something back to the community, and personally, I feel it would be fitting to continue supporting the veterans group in some way," she said.

"I'd also like to look at other charities and community organisations we could support along the way. At the end of the day, I want the stallholders and the community to have a say in where that support goes."

All are welcome to check out the new markets at Wickham Park on Sunday from 7am to 1pm.

"I'm no Gavin Morris, but I've been tracking the weather app pretty closely! At this stage, I'm keeping everything crossed for sunshine, lollipops and smiles everywhere," Ms Pobje said.

"The current forecast is looking pretty promising, so hopefully Mother Nature is on our side.

"This is just the beginning, and with the support of the community and our stallholders, it's only going to get bigger and better.

"There'll be plenty of things to browse and buy for both young and old, with a great mix of stalls and plenty of treasures to discover.

"Come down, have a wander, grab a sausage sandwich from the guys at Rotary, support the local stallholders and enjoy being part of bringing the market back to life."

People interested in having a stall at Wickham Park Markets can email expressions of interest to islingtonmarkets@hotmail.com.