GALLERY: All the faces and unique finds from city’s antiques fair

All things old, antique and rare were presented at Toowoomba’s favourite antiques fair, which drew in locals and tourists. SEE THE PHOTOS HERE

John Learmonth with the 1938 Noddy toy car he bought at the Toowoomba Antique Collectable Fair at Toowoomba Showgrounds, Saturday, July 10, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

John Learmonth is a seasoned antiques collector, so much so that he’s made it a family affair.

Mr Learmonth, from Toowoomba, collects antiques with his grandson and daughters – he owns a growing collection of items and is showing no signs of slowing down.

One of his purchases at the annual Toowoomba Antiques and Collectables Fair has earned pride of place inside his shed at home – a 1938 Noddy toy car, an item he described as “unusual”, but well worth the purchase.

“It’s something to add to my collection,” he said.

“I’ve got a lot of other stuff and this is something I’ve always wanted.”

The fair, hosted at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, drew together buyers and sellers all with one thing in common – a love for all things antique and unique.

The two-day event, run on Saturday and Sunday, invited passionate sellers of antiques who displayed a variety of estate jewellery, vintage clothing, collectables, comics, TV and movie memorabilia, mid-century modern furniture and more.

Like many in attendance at the event, Mr Learmonth said collecting was just something he was drawn to.

“I always have, all my life,” he said.

“I look for something unusual.

“I collect so it’s here and not in the rubbish dump.”

Hannah Stunden, 16, purchased an antique doctors bag that used to belong to a medical professional at Toowoomba Base hospital.

She said she purchases antiques as a “passion project”.

“I’ve always wanted to restore something as beautiful as this to it’s former glory,” she said about the bag.

“I was just wandering around the stalls aimlessly, not looking for anything in particular.

“But as soon as it caught my eye I just lit up.

“The lovely gentleman there and I discussed a price, and it was just perfect.

“I’ve always got a project on hand.”