Toowoomba Antique Collectable Fair to take place at Toowoomba Showgrounds this weekend

‘People always ring and ask me what’s going to be here and I say it’s impossible to know, there’s everything.’

A TIME capsule of Australia’s history will be opened and go on sale with the Toowoomba Antique Collectable Fair taking place at Toowoomba Showgrounds this weekend.

Rare finds and memorabilia ranging from jewellery, old toys, records, bottles, coins, cards books and more will be on display at the Founders Pavilion

Toowoomba antique collector Graham Christensen will have his unique collection on show over the weekend, which includes genuine historic pieces from his time spent in Papua New Guinea.

Antique collector Graham Christensen with some of his wares that will be on sale this weekend at the Toowoomba Antique Collectable Fair.

Mr Christensen said he and his family lived in Port Moresby from 1981 to 1986, and one day a particular wood carved fish caught his eye. “I travelled all over the country during my time there and one day I was in this village and a young boy was selling this unique fish, so I asked him how much it was and I bought it,” he said.

“I like to collect things that I like the look of, and travel to antique fairs. It’s a lot of fun looking at what everyone has because it’s a real surprise what you may find.”

Organiser Allan Lawson said there’s treasure waiting to be found.

“People always ring and ask me what’s going to be here and I say it’s impossible to know, there’s everything,” he said.

Mr Lawson said he was keen for the weekend, which for the first time will feature vintage and collectable cars. “We’ve got people coming from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and NSW as well, I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s like shopping at an old style department store of years gone by because it is a real step back in time.

“Stall holders will have some rare memorabilia items for sale to allow the public an opportunity to add to their collection or start off in this fast-growing hobby.”

The Toowoomba Antique Collectable Fair will be open to the public on Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.

Entry is $10 for adults, pensioners $8 and children under 14 years enter for free.