Vintage treasures going on show

HANDMADE treasures, vintage keepsakes and cuddly companions will fill the Geelong Masonic Centre with colour and character next month when a long-running fundraising event makes its return.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the Geelong Doll, Teddy and Craft Show on June 14, with visitors young and old able to peruse the stalls of about 40 traders who will have “everything imaginable for sale for doll, teddy and craft enthusiasts”.

Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Geelong, the event also serves as a major fundraiser for the community service-focused organisation, helping to raise funds to support a variety of its programs including its school scholarship initiative and its annual donations to local charities, such as Geelong Foodshare.

Event co-organiser Carmen Chapman said the show promised the community a great day out and encouraged everyone to come along, enjoy the display and a Devonshire tea, and help support the region’s hard-working non-profits.

“A lot of grandparents bring their granddaughters to have a look at old dolls and certainly anything crafty,” she said.

“We also run a kitchen, so we sell lunches if anyone wants to have scones, jam and cream, a Devonshire tea or a sandwich… and they can buy tickets to our raffle.

“We’re undercover, air-conditioned, you can go to the dining room and have a cuppa; it’s an old-fashioned afternoon.”

This year, the Doll, Teddy and Craft Show is also celebrating its 35th anniversary. In that time, the event has raised more than $1 million in funds with every cent, Ms Chapman said, going to charity.

Established in the United States in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global volunteer organisation focused on supporting the needs of children across the world.

Its Geelong chapter was formed more than 50 years ago, and its members meet for dinner meetings at the RSL in Belmont twice a month.

Geelong Masonic Centre is at 27 Regent Street, Belmont, and the Geelong Doll, Teddy and Craft Show will run from 10am to 4pm.