Great turnout for Rocky Swap 2021 despite lockdowns

Covid didn’t stop people from Emerald, Bundaberg, Mackay and anywhere in between heading along to host stalls and pick up some bargains at the Rockhampton event.

Rocky Swap organiser Rod Green

Car parts, unicycles, collectable coins, resin art, axes, books, old DVDs, clothes and gel blasters were among many of the quirky items on sale at the 2021 Rocky Swap.

Organised by the North Rockhampton Rotary Club and All Classic Motor Club of Central Queensland, the 24th Rocky Swap had about 850 stalls set up with many thousands of people attending the one day event on August 7.

Event organiser and North Rockhampton Rotarian Rod Green said the money from this ‘buy, swap and sell’ event would be spread out across community organisations like Rotary, Lions and Scouts.

He said the funds from the last Swap in 2019 were able to fund two PCYC Braking the Cycle vehicles to help young people get their learner hours up.

“We live in times where Covid is real in the world. We’re lucky enough to live in a part of the world that... hasn’t got the effects of community infection,” Mr Green said.

“The public supported a community event in times where things could have been doom and gloom.

“People spoke with their feet.”

Rocky Swap is believed to be the third biggest swap meet in Australia, behind only Toowoomba and Dubbo.

It’s understood about 100 potential stallholders weren’t able to make it due to lockdowns.

But that didn’t stop people from Emerald, Bundaberg, Mackay and anywhere in between coming along to host stalls and pick up some bargains.

Cheryle Champion and Katalin Klerck

Yeppoon artist Katalin Klerck and her friend Cheryle Champion set up a stall to promote kids toys, small plants and Mrs Klerck’s impressive acrylic and resin art.

Yes - all of those amazing artworks were handmade.

She’s been a Yeppoon local for six years and has a fondness for the ocean, but after her husband suffered an illness a few years ago, she looked to art as an escape and her ‘safe haven’ during those tumultuous times.

“That’s why I wanted to share this with others because it does help me a lot,” Mrs Klerck said.

She’s been doing acrylic art for three years now and resin for 1.5 years and runs workshops for the community to learn how to make art pieces.

She enjoys seeing the faces of people when they succeed.

Originally published as Great turnout for Rocky Swap 2021 despite lockdowns