There were only 22 stallholders at the first market in the Jamison Centre car park, but it raised around $200 for Rotary and seemed to hit a note with patrons and stallholders alike, says club president Des Walsh.

“The idea was brought to us by then-president Ron Morris, who saw a similar concept in Sydney,” he says.

“We all agreed it could be good, and by the second week the markets had raised $500.

“In three months it raised $6800, and in 10 months, $86,000. It was up and running.”

The Belconnen Rotary Club will be celebrating 40 years of the iconic Trash’n’Treasure with a special celebratory market on Sunday, November 23, featuring draws, lucky stallholder prizes, balloons, face painting, buskers and entertainment.

To date, the markets have raised $5.5m, all of which has gone towards community projects, says Des.

“The markets are our major fundraiser and we support local, national and international community and related projects,” he says.

“Major activities have included the construction and extension of Rotary Cottage at Calvary Hospital, ongoing support for the Shepherd Centre for deaf children, Snowy Hydro SouthCare, hampers at Christmas for five major charities, as well as supporting youth exchange programs.”

Other projects include donating a special bus and trailer to Black Mountain School, scholarships at ANU and UC, funding for youth, schools, artists and world causes, and $30,000 to build the Garden of Delights at Cranleigh School.

“Every dollar we earn, we spend,” Des says of the markets, which are run with help from the Rotary Clubs of Ginninderra, Canberra City and Woden.

The Trash’n’Treasure has had a very natural growth over the years, says Des, and people seem to really like the concept, that you could come along for a fossick or have a stall instead of a garage sale.

“As with all the things you start, you live in hope that it will take off,” he says.

“The markets have become a social hub, and nowadays we get around 4000 patrons through on a Sunday.

“We like to think of it as part of the social fabric of Belconnen and wider area.”

“There are only two things we compete with – the proliferation of other markets, and the weather!” says Trash’n’Treasure committee member Wal Cooper.

“There are so many other markets now, but we were the first of this kind in Canberra,” he says. “It has affected us somewhat, with less stallholders mainly, but not significantly.

“We usually go ahead whatever the weather if we can, but we know that if there’s a deluge people won’t come. There’s no protection from bad weather for the stallholders’ goods.”

People sell anything from CDs, DVDs, books, toys, plants, fruit and veg, tools, furniture and clothes – general garage-sale things, says Des, and the lovely thing is that the stallholders and Rotary volunteers have become friends over the years.

“Some people might take a stall once in their lives, whereas others have been coming every week for years,” he says.

“I like coming – though I may not be so thrilled when the 5.45am slot comes up on the roster in June, July or August,” he jokes.

“I like mixing with a range of diverse people and products, socialising with the visitors, seeing friends at the market while I’m on duty and enjoying the interaction.”

Rotary Trash’n’Treasure, 6am-1pm, every Sunday in the Jamison Centre car park, Macquarie. Stalls cost $20. Entry by gold coin donation.