Parramatta Collectors fair organiser caught up in scandal

Found a flyer in Galaxy bookshop in the city. This was back in 2002. Been attending since about then.

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

A poster on a telegraph pole on the Cumberland Highway

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^ this

From this site. :)

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Originally Posted by Wheelie

How did you guys originally find out about the parra fair?

Not the scandal, but the fair itself

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I had just gotten into collecting and was looking for some way to complete my G1 Magnus as I was unfamiliar with the ebay parts trade. At this point I had no idea about the local TF community and figured I was likely on my own. While looking for local TF resources online, I came across someone mentioning it.

I honestly cannot remember where I heard about the fair. Been going since mid-2000's. I think it was through Jamie when I was after a replacement part for my G1 Megs.

So the Parra fair looks like its down for the count huh? Bummer, being a Victorian I'd always wanted to go up and see what's what. Heard a lot of good things about it from you guys and from a friend who used to live in NSW. I'm guessing its early days to think about how it can be restarted huh? The fairs we have in Victoria are crap, in terms of Transformers anyways. Only good thing about them is you can meet up with some fellow Ozformers.

This forum I believe. I informed two other friends to check it out.

Heard about it from here. Used to go to the music fair all the time when I was a teenager but never realized that there was a toy fair too.

The 1st time I heard about the Parra Fair was forever ago when Azrael called me one day, saying something along the lines of:

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"Hey, you lazy bastard, rather than us going to the Markets next Sunday, did you wanna come with me and Burnie to this fair at Parramatta Town Hall? - We'll have to go by train, so it'll be a 4:00am start - if you can handle it, but it has heaps of stuff!..."

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...or something to that nature. :rolleyes::p


All I know is that it was awesome and for the next 2 or so years he & I made that journey almost every quarterly time, then once I joined up here at OTCA I learnt that it was used as a regular meeting point - I've lost count of how many I've attended now. :D

...so with that I've got to say, it's really sad to see that it looks like it's come to an end; typically, it's always a few who spoil it for the many. :(

I was just thinking we should try and at least have one meet a year if nothing else eventuates.

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Originally Posted by The_Damned

I was just thinking we should try and at least have one meet a year if nothing else eventuates.

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Agreed. While we didn't do it last year the BBQ is a great day :)

Personally I like the idea of meeting at Westfields every 3 months anyway.

The BBQ is more fun, I agree but it's weather dependent & more work to actually organise (which goes to waste it if rains). Just my 2c..

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Originally Posted by dirge

Personally I like the idea of meeting at Westfields every 3 months anyway.

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I'd very much like to see this continue going forward. ;):)

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Originally Posted by dirge

Personally I like the idea of meeting at Westfields every 3 months anyway.

The BBQ is more fun, I agree but it's weather dependent & more work to actually organise (which goes to waste it if rains). Just my 2c..

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Yep, and at 10am instead of 8... preferably. ;)

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Originally Posted by dirge

Personally I like the idea of meeting at Westfields every 3 months anyway.

The BBQ is more fun, I agree but it's weather dependent & more work to actually organise (which goes to waste it if rains). Just my 2c..

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Originally Posted by Tober

Yep, and at 10am instead of 8... preferably. ;)

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Agreed. BUt as Trent pointed out, a BBQ once in awhile in one of the meets would offer a variation and extra fun to look forward to especially on months that are weather friendly for such outdoor fun. :):)

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Originally Posted by Wheelie

How did you guys originally find out about the parra fair?

Not the scandal, but the fair itself

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Word of mouth... but this was YEARS ago... I've been going there for well over a decade now. IIRC we started having organised meets at the Parra Fair in 2007.

August 19, 2007
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...et190807_5.jpg

Btw, without the Parramatta Fair itself, what do you guys think would be a decent starting time for Parramatta Fan Meets? Because back when we used to have CBD meets we started at 12:00 and finished later, whereas Parra Meets we start before 08:00 and typically finish before midday. It'd be nice to sleep in a little bit on Sundays now that there isn't a Fair to have to line up for (and Sunday is the only day that I don't have to get up early for :p), although I'm not necessarily saying we should start as late as 12:00. Whaddaya guys reckon?

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Originally Posted by dirge

Personally I like the idea of meeting at Westfields every 3 months anyway.

The BBQ is more fun, I agree but it's weather dependent & more work to actually organise (which goes to waste it if rains). Just my 2c..

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I don't really see the point in meeting at Westfields as most of is import our toys, so there is no real hunt like years gone by.

Of course it can be a great contingency plan if the BBQ is washed out.

Yeah, I think the advantage of meeting in the downstairs Westfields food court is the comfort/convenience factor. :) People coming in by train would have a shorter walk, and even drivers can choose to park directly inside Westfields -- both of which would be extra convenient if it was urinating down rain outside. It might also be more convenient for any late comers and new attendees to find. ;) The barbecue could still be done perhaps once a year -- I think end of year would be good (and also summer weather would be better for it anyway).

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Originally Posted by Bartrim

I don't really see the point in meeting at Westfields as most of is import our toys, so there is no real hunt like years gone by.

Of course it can be a great contingency plan if the BBQ is washed out.

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It's not about the shops, it's about the covered, indoor location that's an easy landmark & taking crappy weather out of the equation. As Gok alluded to, it's also much easier for those arriving by public transport.

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Originally Posted by dirge

It's not about the shops, it's about the covered, indoor location that's an easy landmark & taking crappy weather out of the equation. As Gok alluded to, it's also much easier for those arriving by public transport.

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Yep. The BBQ should remain a once a year thing, mainly due to the logistical issues if nothing else. I'd still attend the food court meet. 9 or even 10am as Tober suggested would be a good time. It's a nice place to meet where we we don't have to give a damn about the weather :)

Parking at Parramatta becomes a big problem the later it gets.

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Originally Posted by kup

Parking at Parramatta becomes a big problem the later it gets.

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This is so true.
i'd prefer an earlier start, 8 or so. I'd still park behind the hall, it's halfway between phantom zone and Westfield.

True. I think 10 would be a good time, any later & parking may be an issue

So, now that it's the first of the month, have we got this meet thing nailed down or are we still talking it through? If we are going ahead, it would be wise to start another topic so the details aren't lost within this thread.

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Originally Posted by Sinnertwin

True. I think 10 would be a good time, any later & parking may be an issue

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Even 9, I think. if we get there too late we won't be able to have a maccas hashbrown, one of the highlights of the day.

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Originally Posted by 5FDP

So, now that it's the first of the month, have we got this meet thing nailed down or are we still talking it through? If we are going ahead, it would be wise to start another topic so the details aren't lost within this thread.

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you and you're flawless logic:rolleyes:

:cool:

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Originally Posted by UltraMarginal

you and you're flawless logic:rolleyes:

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Wait! What? Did I miss something? :o

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Originally Posted by 5FDP

Wait! What? Did I miss something? :o

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I was using sarcasm to imply you had a good idea and should start that thread.

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Originally Posted by UltraMarginal

Even 9, I think. if we get there too late we won't be able to have a maccas hashbrown, one of the highlights of the day.

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They serve breakfast until 10:30 ;) :p

Hi there,

I just saw this board online. I am not sure if anyone here is also in the FB groups thinking about the Parramatta toy fare.

You can check the conversations about it in this group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/521161417948980/

I hope there is a toy fare this month in Parra. :confused::confused:

Kind regards,

Latest news on this scandal

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From Kyle at 2nd Childhood Collectables post on Facebook

Just got off the Phone from Glenn who runs the Parramatta Collectables fair. He said he will find out tommorrow if the fair is going to be running. Am i getting played or should i really hope that the council allows the fair to proceed. He may just not be willing to refund me my table costs that I paid in advance. Has anybody else got any contardictory information.

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And in the comments when someone asked if he has been charged

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No he said the department of fair trading has cleared everything. He said that the council is the one stopping the fair but they havent come to a decision yet.

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Still, take this with a grain of salt for the time being until we hear some official word.

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Originally Posted by Starscream77

On a side note Parra town hall is being renovated and they are not taking bookings for at least 12 months one of the stall holders told me

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That may be a factor in the council's decision

So, the Dept. of Fair Trading have found no case to answer for. You know what, I'm inclined to believe that considering who broke this news in the first place - A Current Affair. Wouldn't be the first time they've manipulated public opinion to create something 'news worthy'.

So maybe in hope the fair might continue? This is good news if it does.:)

Just got this email from the fair.

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Due to circumstances beyond our control,

The Collectables Fair has been cancelled.

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PARRAMATTA COLLECTABLES FAIR

SUNDAY MAY 25



We apologise for all and any inconvenience

And we will advise of our future fairs…

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^ Suspected as much. Nice to get official confirmation though.

I guess that's that then.

I hope dealers who've pre-payed will be able to get their money back.

At least it just mentions the one Fair... not the Fair in general. Could be hope for it to return, maybe in a year if the renovations thing is true. (the Brisbane Town Hall was closed for a couple years for its renovations recently, which kicked out everyone as well during that time)

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Originally Posted by DarkHyren

Just got this email from the fair.

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Ooh, you're in the mailing list. :). Keep updating us :)

I'm on the mailing list too and got that email while I was asleep :o

Is there an explanation why their site is down? Or when the next one will be?