Merbein Street Market Report

In the new Year Chris Westwood and I had a coffee and Floated an idea for a street market in Merbein to try and boast the traders sales in our economically hard times. With hurdles of Council requirements, Vic roads, Town planers and Insurance. We finally had our first market on the 3rd Sunday of April on a trial basses.

Chris was Flying overseas that morning and spent all morning at the air port on the phone to me. 32 stalls and it so exciting. 5 markets later and approx 80 stalls it looks to be a permanent feature of Merbeins calendar.The feed back from the public and community is very encouraging and i feel we have achieved what we set out to do by bringing people into our town and creating carry on sales. More involvement and help from any one interested would be appreciated.

Another MDA great achievement.
Merbein market coordinator,
Pam Amey

'Why Merbein' - Merbein's own song - Soon to be a hit!

With the market running so well, it appears that some of the vibrancy has become contagious with one resident penning the words to a Merbein specific song with a difference! Look out Madonna, Kylie and Kanye, this is some great work!

'Why Merbein'

We grow olives, we grow pumpkins
We grow mushrooms, we grow citrus
avocadoes and asparagus
It's all frest and clean
Our fruit trees and vineyards
can grow almost anything
The best in Sunraysia
Is found in Merbein

We play cricket, we play football
We play soccer, we play netball
We play tennis, we play croquet
We're proud of our teams
There's a golfcourse and a bowling green
And a swimming pool and a skate park
We're all active and healthy
Out here in Merbein

We got truckies we've got blockies
we've got sparkies we've got plumbers
we've got painters we've got builders
the best that you've seen
There are doctors and a chemist
and a butcher and a baker
There's always a bargain
out here in Merbein

Our op shops and traders
sell antiques and clothing
collectables and bric-a-brac
the variety's a dream
so whatever you're wanting
for lifestyle and happiness
you'll feel very welcome
out here in Merbein!

setember market 21st

Hi folks
It is time for the market again and the weather has finally started to warm at last . No more freezing mornings we hope.
There are 70+ stalls at this stage and still growing with possum skin moccasin's for those cool mornings still to come or may be plants for our spring gardens.Meg will be there with Christmas sacks and stockings just to remind us that that season is just round the corner.Country ware products that we all know to Rawleigh goods that have proven the test of time. Chocs from Broken hill ,olive oil Robinvale Nuts Nagiloc ,Potatoe lady boundary bend and fresh produce from over the river , trees from Swan hill we are certainly collecting stalls from around the area. It gives us a lot of variety and they say that variety is the spice of life.
So lets hope for a large crowd and wonderful weather.
See you there
Pam

August Street Market

Cold, Cold, Cold but still 70+ stalls. No doubt we can expect September 21st to be much warmer weather.

Very positive news in that most stalls reported a brisk trade especially our garage sale style stalls. Elders forecourt was a sell out and more stall holders want to be there as there are deeper sites for pergola’s and so on.

Congratulations to the Girl Guides who had a great success with their sausage sizzle. With Rotary lining up for the next sausage sizzle, the girls will be waiting with great anticipation for their next turn.

Our local schools are excited with their fund raising stalls selling Jelly cakes & citrus faster that the running Jamaican in Beijing!

The Uniting Church and Chaffey Aged Care were happy with their efforts; it’s really great to see all our local community getting behind the market, this really makes all the hard work seem worth while.

The RSL was open showing the memorabilia and had a steady crowd through their rooms. It is a credit to them and well worth the look.

Our market day raffle was won by Kellie Frazer with orange ticket D. 011 sold by Murphy’s takeaways. The raffle is proving to be very popular with market goers!

As the market moves into the future the organisers welcome any comments. We are open to any suggestions to improve our market. Comments can be sent to merbeinmarket@gmail.com or phoned through to market coordinator Pam Amey on 03 5025 1284.

For all news and updates on the market checkout: http://merbeinmarket.blogspot.com/

MERBEIN MARKET DAY STRUCTURE

In line with the Merbein Market’s continual improvement for stall holders and visitors alike a brief day structure has been plotted out below to help you get a feel for what happens on the day.

Start Time Finish Time Task
0630 0900 Stall Setup period (prior to stallholders setting up they must register with the market coordinator).
0900 Market Commences
1000 1130 Site fee collection period
1230 Raffle drawn
1300 Market stalls to commence trading
1300 1400 Stalls pack-up period
1400 Commercial Street to be returned to a clean & tidy state

Merbein Market Feedback

Now 4 markets old, the Merbein Market Day has certainly had a great impact on the community of Merbein. There has been much feedback to the organizers and it’s definitely worth sharing this with the broader community. Some of the feedback includes:

• Just like the end of the war, with people laughing and dancing in the street

• A great carnival atmosphere

• Such a boast to the moral of the town

• Exciting carry on sales during the week for the traders

• Great increase in turnover for the shops on the day

• Have never seen so many people in Merbein at one time

• Just shows what great community sprit this town has even when things are tough

• Good to see the men standing in the street talking and laughing again

• The town welcomes you and a nice family day out with the merry go round and clowns etc

• Stall holders comment a well run and festive feel to the day

However, it can’t always be positive so it’s worthwhile mentioning some of the negative feedback which is just as important in terms of improving the market!

• Congestion on the footpaths

• No car parks left

• Weather is to cold and the market should only be in summer months

• Too much of the same thing need more food stalls

Record crowds flock from far & wide to enjoy the Merbein Sunshine!

Many thoughts raced through my mind as I lay listening to the much needed rain on Saturday night, but someone was watching over us and when the sun came out in all its glory I knew that we would have perfect conditions for all the Merbein Marketeers!

WE had a lovely day with over 70 stalls braving enough the weather conditions.

Free pony rides were very popular with the little folk as was the hot bread, pies and pasties that were a sell out with the Mums and Dads.

Our shop traders were truly satisfied with the people explosion in the little town of Merbein. One elderly lady likened the atmosphere to ”just like the end of the war when we danced in the street” and so they danced on Sunday to” Big Bad John ”who was playing live and selling his CDs at a fast pace.

With the very enticing prize of $100 in petrol on the cards, the Market raffle sold quickly and who would not want that as a prize! The raffle winner was Halley Treffene , Ticket number Black D82

These markets are a hard act to follow as they just get bigger and better each time. We are so proud of our community spirit and now having interstate visitors as well as stall holders from as far as Broken Hill the future is very bright.

So with that happy note I will leave you with this quote: “If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give “

Pam Amey
Coordinator

P.S: Some exciting news coming out of the market, we have been nominated for the “Regional Achievement & community Awards” to be announced in Bendigo in October so stay tuned!

July market - Only a week away!

Hi Merbein Marketers,

Our 4th market and winter is here but it won’t rain on our market day, I know that man up stairs. And even if it does rain that will be a great result for all the farmers. We have proven previously that rain doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm and vibe the Merbein Market offers.

We have over 70 stalls with a lot of new ideas as well as our regulars. With the Elders fore court now been opened up it gives us more room, however we have no covered sites left. Given this it’s worth noting that our ‘stallies’ are going to start looking at providing there own cover.

Aged care is holding sausage sizzle at the post office. The sizzling aroma will be beautifully complemented with the smells of the mid morning hot bread bake at Treffene’s bakery and the ever popular fragrance of freshly roasted beans from Coffee Que. Another tantalizing new stall will be Scopaletti’s Olive Oil ice cream, which is sure to be worth a taste, even on a cold morning!

In building the Merbein Market as a great family event, face painting with Belle the clown, the jumping castle, and even free pony rides are all planned!

We hope to have lovely music to set the atmosphere for the ‘stallies’ who we thank for all your hard work to make our market a success.

Just a quick reminder also that all stall holders coming under Merbein Development Association insurance are required to re-pay MDA fees again as it’s the end of the financial year.

See you on Sunday 20th July for another great Merbein Market

Pam Amey
Merbein Market Coordinator

Merbein Market hits new heights!

Merbein Marketeers did it again last Sunday, June 15 2008 with the market day an outstanding success with 67 stalls on a beautiful sunny day.

In excess of 800 people attended with clowns, balloons, a merry go round and jumping castle all adding to the carnival atmosphere. There was everything from art, craft, fresh produce and preserves on display. Stall contents also included everything from rabbit traps to carrots, with ever even pig’s ears completely selling out. Commercial Street businesses did a brisk trade and some even employed extra staff.

Thanks to our stallholders for a wonderful range of products with out you there would be no market. The public are very supportive and forever welcome.

The raffle of a petrol voucher was drawn by the local fire brigade who was in attendance with their new fire engine. The successful winner was Jean Pappin with ticket number 36.

The prosperous market looks to be a set fixture now and the next market will be 20^thJuly 2008 from 9.OOam - 1.00pm. Expect it to be bigger and brighter.

Pam Amey

Market Coordinator

Merbein Marketeers 'run' in the Mallee 12!

Merbein Marketeers were out in fine form with involvement in the second annual Mallee 12 fun run and charity walk last Sunday, 8 June 2008. 

It was an exhilarating day with Steve Monagetti leading runners from far and wide, all showing us what fitness is all about. The Marketeers were extremely well represented as they show cased many items. Stall holders included the ever smiling ladies from Our Ladies Primary School with their jelly cakes, a new member to the marketeers, Elizabeth from Broken Hill with a stall of fine chocolates to tempt as well. Krystyna’s Hats made a splash of color and were needed with the fine cool day temperatures.

Tim’s honey sold at a steady rate as did Norma’s Date loaf, both helping put back the lost energy into the runners and walkers legs. 

This is the first year the marketeers have been involved with the Mallee 12. We were really happy to establish this partnership and we look forward to being involved well into the future as the event continues to grow.

Hope to see more entrants & spectators at next year’s great Mallee 12 fun run and charity walk.

Merbein Market - Stall Holder Conditions

The Merbein Market Committee would like to welcome you to Merbein Market. The market is being run under the Merbein Development Association as an initiative to promote Merbein and its businesses. We would like to thankyou for your involvement and encourage you to take a quick look over a few simple conditions of the market day.

1. Stalls will be allocated at a measurement of approximately length 4m x width 2m (width will be dependant on there being approximately 2m of footpath left clear)

2. A stall fee of $10 per 4m x 2m stall must be paid to the appropriate person who will come around the collect the fee. Receipts will be provided.

3. Vehicles associated with the setting up of stalls will be given until 10am to unload the necessary equipment, at which point the vehicle / trailer / truck is to be moved away from Commercial Street. (This condition is in place to ensure that there is sufficient parking available for the public attending the market).

4. Mildura Rural City Council regulations state there must be a 2 metre clear and unobstructed provision of footpath at all times.

5. A copy of appropriate insurance must be handed to the organiser.

6. If in the case whereby the stall holder does not have their own public liability the person operating the stall must become a member of the Merbein Development Association (at a fee of $5-) and complete the appropriate paperwork.

7. If applicable the appropriate food certificates must be displayed for the public to clearly see.

8. At the conclusion of the market all sites must be left in a clean and tidy state, this includes the removal of any rubbish.

If you have any questions please speak with any of the committee member in attendance on the day, or contact market coordinator Pam Amey on 5025.1284.

Regards,

PAM AMEY
MERBEIN MARKET COORDINATOR

Merbein Street Market – May 2008 Report

Merbein is on the move with their shop locally plan, starting with the market in Commercial Street, every 3rd Sunday of the month.

We started with 34 stalls and a great deal of enthusiasm. A beautiful day helped the carnival atmosphere, the May market bought with it a true test as it was a little chilly and there was intermittent rain, but who could be unhappy when we needed it so badly. We still had 38 stalls and a large crowed to peruse the variety of stalls that included Fresh Produce, Art & Crafts, to Rabbit Traps to Carrots, even Pigs Ears.

Our next market is on this Sunday 15th of June and have 60 confirmed stalls.

There are 5 Second hand & 2 Antique shops that will be open with the majority of other businesses, and food shops too. We have a sausage sizzle with the sausages from Gathercole Butchery, who have been serving the locals for 40 years, and we are not forgetting the little folk with a Jumping Castle & Merry Go Round, and Belle the Clown will be there to add to the great family day atmosphere.

The RSL will be open showing war memorabilia and local diggers in their uniforms of the day. The ladies will make a cuppa for a gold coin donation, no doubt it will be well worth a look.

Adding to the Merbein Community coming alive for market day, the historical society will be open to show their memorabilia promoting collecting and preserving the history Merbein and surrounding districts. The centenary committee will be there to welcome you and discuss the great event next year when we turn 100 years old.

Merbein welcomes you all to come and share our great fun day.