Iconic gems for sale at fair

TWO iconic local treasures will be among the goods for sale at next weekend’s Wizard’s Annual Book and Record Fair.

A Bertie the Cellerman statue will be available along with a doll replica of Channel Nine’s Gerry Gee.

Bertie was a much-loved cartoon character created in 1926 by the Ballarat Brewing Company, and fair organiser Peter Wills said his love of collecting brewing merchandise stems from his childhood.

“Ballarat Bitter was the local beer made by Ballarat Brewing Company and my father actually worked at the brewery,” he said.

“I can remember going to the brewery with my father on our truck and loading up and smelling the beer.

“During the Christmas holidays I’d be working on the beer truck and pulling the barrels up.”

Alongside these iconic figures will be thousands of records, Cassettes, CD’s, books and other collectors’ items for sale.

The event is now in its sixth year and Mr Wills has been selling antiques in the Ballarat region for four decades.

“My love of records stems back from the ones I had and I’m trying to rebuild my childhood I suppose,” said Mr Wills.

“It’s amazing to see people light up when they find what they’re looking for.

“A guy I remember used to work very close to the shop years ago and he came in and spent a lot of money on records that were his particular taste, and he was just phenomenally happy.”

Wizard’s Annual Book and Record Fair will be on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November at Messenger Hill, Soldiers Hill.