Alley a hoot for car boots

THE Rotary Club of Ballarat South has been leading the Ballarat Market at the Showgrounds for more than four decades, but the Sunday tradition continues to grow and evolve.

In recent weeks, a car boot alley section has returned to the event, and is gaining momentum, encouraging people to bring out their quality pre-loved goods and sell them on from the back of their vehicle.

Market committee member Helen Newell said no bookings are necessary, people can just come along, pay a $26 registration fee at the office, and sell their wares.

“It’s purely for those that want to have a bit of a declutter,” she said.

“The alley runs along Cairns Drive, parallel to Creswick Road, and can be seen by visitors as soon as they walk in.

“It’s something new and innovative, not just for the market but the people that come along. We’re keen to get the market fired up again and get people excited about it.”

Club member Maree Roache said car boot alley aims to provide an alternative to a spring or summer garage sale.

“If people don’t want the general public coming to their house, they can pack up, and bring to the market the things they might like to sell from the back of their car. That way, it’s of no risk to them,” she said.

“The real advantage and attraction is that it’s a garage sale in a public space, and we can have up to 20 cars on site at once.”

The Ballarat Market continues to have a range of weekly stallholders, and food and coffee vendors, with all money raised at the gate directed to the Club’s grassroots initiatives.

For the first time in two years, the popular flower vendor returned two weeks ago, and was “welcomed with open arms.”

“Numbers have been down over the harsh winter, but we’re so grateful for our long-term stallholders,” Ms Roache said.

“All members of the Ballarat community who come through the gate and put their donations in, they’re helping to fund our projects including scholarship and breakfast programs for schools, support for the Ballarat Arts Foundation and Ballarat Sports Foundation, and more.”