May 1976

With this market we conclude our first year of operation: before a winter recess.

The Red Hill Community Market began last September in the Red Hill Hall, with perhaps romantic notions of a small group gathering each month to trade and purchase locally produced goods. It was obvious from the first market that the response to such a venture was to be beyond our wildest expectations and that a new site would need to be found hence the shift to the Red Hill Showgrounds

Since that initial market, stall holders and buyers have grown enormously with regular visitors coming not only from the local area but from throughout the Peninsula and Melbourne.

Through criticism, praise, suggestion and general comment it is obvious that the attraction to regular attenders is the unique nature of the market offering a comfortable, friendly, almost old-world village style of trading in goods personally produced a delightful gathering of craftsmen, gardeners cooks and producers of livestock. The greatest fear expressed is that the market could become ‘too commercial’ or develop into a ‘trash and treasure’ venture common throughout Melbourne.

During the year the Managing Committee has attempted to steer the direction of the market to avoid those fears becoming reality, but because initially, firm guidelines were not established as to the nature of stall holders accepted, there have been difficulties in maintaining the market’s unique character. In the establishment of a policy to cope with the enormous and increasing requests for stalls, it is true that some anomalous situations have occurred in acceptance and refusal of stallholders.

The Committee now feels that for the second market season beginning on September 4th (and thereafter on the 1st Saturday of each month), that an underlying policy needs to be established and stated as guidance for the growing number of interested stallholders. The original concept of traders marketing their personally produced products at reasonable prices is still felt to be crucial if the market is to continue in its present form.

Therefore, as a basic theme and policy for future markets, stall holders, to be accepted, must fit into the catch-phrase:

‘MAKE IT, BAKE IT, GROW IT OR BREED IT’.

We realize that most stall holders already meet these requirements and a few others would be acceptable through slight modification or selection of the goods.

Some problems have been experienced with a few stall holders acquiring extremely large frontages in the setting up of their stalls making it unjust for smaller stalls and awkward in unifying and isolating a group of traders from parking areas. It has, therefore, been decided to charge $1 for stall frontages under 8 ft. $5 for larger frontages (Maximum 15 ft.) and 20c. for children’s stalls. We are sure that stall holders will understand our desire to retain those qualities which have made the market attractive to so many patrons and we ask for their cooperation.

By adhering to the general policy and by making prices comparatively low in keeping with the minimum charges levied, we feel sure that the new market season will be as successful as the one just completed.

NOTE: The market pavilion will not be opened before 8a.m. for setting up stalls.

The Committee of Management accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of goods nor injury to any person during market day.