Neighbours axed: How much fans could pay for TV soap’s memorabilia

Want to get your hands on something from Toadie’s house or the Ramsay St sign? This is what experts think memorabilia from the TV soap could be worth.

MJ Docking Real Estate director Adam Docking with a Ramsay St sign at a home in Pin Oak Court, which is used for filming of Neighbours. Picture: Tony Gough

Neighbours fans could get pieces of the axed soap’s memorabilia for wallet-friendly prices if they are sold off, according to local auction houses.

Producers Fremantle have begun the process of dismantling the TV soap’s filming studio after confirming earlier this month it would be axed after 37 years on air.

Filming will finish in June, providing a potential opportunity for fans to snap up memorabilia from its sets in Vermont South and Nunawading.

Matthew Fiedorowicz, of Burwood auction house Abbeys Auctions, said screen-warn clothing from similar TV shows was selling online for $30-50 a piece.

He expected Neighbours’ items could attract a similar price, and original “clapper boards” used to film the show could sell for about $100.

But Mr Fiedorowicz said significant items such as the Ramsay St street sign could sell for up to $10,000, depending on how many had been used in the show’s long history.

“A more iconic piece, such as the Ramsay St sign would hold more value,” he said.

“If there was only one then $5000-$10,000 would be my estimate … if there are a handful of signs then I’d say somewhere around $2000-$4000.”

Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney, who plays Toadie Rebecchi, pictured at Harold’s Cafe in 2015. Picture: Andrew Tauber

Longtime valuer Max Williamson, of Mount Waverley’s Abacus Auctions, said there was a limited market for TV soap memorabilia, with movie set items generally attracted higher prices.

Mr Williamson said any items from Neighbours would serve as solid collectables for fans, but wouldn’t hold a high resale value over time.

“TV is low on the chain of desirables, unless its from an iconic event,” he said.

“Things associated with Kylie and Jason’s wedding like her dress would be fab, whether someone still has that, I don’t know.

“I can imagine collectors wanting some of their (the show’s) stuff, and by all means it would be a great thing to put in your home, but not a great investment.

“If it’s like Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings it would be famous, but Neighbours isn’t in that league.”

A Fremantle spokeswoman said the company was “working through the dismantling of the studio” for Neighbours and a decision was yet to be made on what would happen to the show’s sets and props.

Leader revealed last month Whitehorse Council is investigating options for heritage protection of homes featured in the famous soap.

The council will compile a feasibility report to introduce a heritage overlay for eight homes in the “Ramsay St” precinct, which includes six homes in Vermont South’s Pin Oak Court, and two in Weeden Drive.