By BEN CAMERON
IT STARTED as an idea on Facebook to attract more visitors to Cockatoo and now it’s set to open for business this Saturday.
The Cockatoo Country Market, located at the Alma Treloar Reserve, will be an artisan-style farmers market providing a wide range of locally grown primary produce.
Market organiser Owen Deppeler said the market was an ideal way to encourage people to visit the town.
“We have a lot of traffic pass through our town but most don’t stop,” he said.
“We see this as a way to encourage people to stop and to enjoy the many products that will be made available.
“We are spoilt for a few great markets in the area. The difference in our market is the goods on sale will be made or grown by the stallholder.
“We want to provide a unique experience to customers by ensuring that the people responsible for the production of the goods for sale are the people that are on the stall.“
Run by a not for profit group, all money raised will go back into the community.
“We are always on the lookout for new stallholders. We just ask: did you grow or make what is being sold on your stall?” he said.
A committee was formed six months ago to start the market after an idea germinated on Facebook.
“Cockatoo Facebook pages are active places where people suggest ideas,” he said.
“The market is one of those ideas.
“When there was a large amount of interest shown on the pages for a market, a meeting was held and a steering committee was formed. Cockatoo used to have a market many years ago.”
The market, handed $1000 by Cardinia Shire Council to cover insurance costs, has already earned praise from Mayor Leticia Wilmot, who will officially open the market this Saturday from 8.45am.
“This could be a great thing for the community,” she said.
The market will be held at 9am on the first Saturday of each month.
More information on cockatoocountrymarket@outlook.com or on 0400 543 626 or 5968 9678
