Share Space and local markets

On the 29th of March, I attended the Share Space Easter market at Arcadia Reserve, at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall in Rowville. Best market, I think, that Share Space has run so far, and that's a high bar. It was a fantastic turnout. Hundreds of families right before Easter. I think they said about 5,000 Easter eggs were snapped up in a matter of seconds when the Easter egg hunt took off. It was wonderful to see. Fantastic weather. So many local entrepreneurs and micro businesses that are local to Rowville and Knox that were selling items and wares at the market. So we shopped up a storm, as we always do, and left with plenty of Easter goodies and gifts.

On Sunday the 7th, I attended the Makers and Bakers Market in Rowville. This is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Rowville Lysterfield. They're really hitting their stride now with this market. The Christmas one, I think, was the busiest one this year. I think I've been to four in a row now, and all the stalls are doing well. There's some fantastic arts and crafts, and everything locally made. So, for those that didn't get down to it this year, have a look at the Rotary Club of Rowville Lysterfield Makers and Bakers Market in 2026.

Thank you, Mayor Kennett. Yesterday I attended the Share Space festive market at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall in Rowville. It was wonderful to see the local community turn out in droves to support our local market. There were only 31 days to Christmas, someone said yesterday, which scared me a little bit and motivated me to do as much of my shopping at the market as I could, because there were so many local wares and crafts and bake stalls that it was very easy to shop up a storm.

The CFA in Rowville brought Santa there, which was a highlight of the day for the young kids. Santa was there with the lights and sirens on the truck, and the kids were thrilled. So I do send thanks to Gail and Brian from Share Space, and their family and friends and volunteers generally, and all of the stallholders and community groups that make those markets the fantastic community event and celebration that they are. So, well done to the Share Space team for a brilliant market yesterday.

A couple more from me. A while back, the 2nd of November, I attended the Makers and Bakers Market. We love a market in Rowville. That was at the Rowville Community Centre. They're a bit of a different offering. A great market that's carving out a good niche, and there's another one coming up in a couple of weeks, I think their final one for the year. The Makers and Bakers Market, run by the Rotary Club of Rowville Lysterfield, continues to provide a great platform for our local artisans and food producers, and there's some standout stalls there.

I'd note the Rotary Club of Rowville Lysterfield Makers and Bakers Market, which was October 5th, which certainly showcased the strength of our local creative economy and social enterprise. They've got a great platform there that Rotary supports for our local artisans and food producers, including The Greatest Doughman, The Source Candle Co and The Basin Backyard. And I'd send my thanks to President Bob and all of the Rowville Lysterfield Rotarians who organise the monthly market, and we're certainly in discussions with them about how we can do our best to help them support and promote the market each and every month.

Thank you, Mayor. Yesterday I attended the Share Space spring market at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall at Arcadia Reserve in Rowville. It was beautiful weather. They had a wonderful crowd and buzz. It was a wonderful community activation on a Sunday afternoon. So, a shout out to Gail, Jess, Brian, all the familiar faces and friends and Share Space volunteers, and the many vendors and stallholders who came out to bring the market to life.

Yesterday, I would note, we had Cypriot Street Grill there, a pretty famous food truck there on Stud Road, who came out to provide lunch to everyone. The Sundaez N Chill soft serve truck, the Lizard Wizard bringing snakes and turtles for the kids. There was local live music, and a shout out to some small businesses in Rowville: Angie Craft Creations and Izzy Bicky Dog Treat, two small home businesses mostly run by kids, who were there selling their wares. And I also note Bubbles @ Rowville and the Rowville Hawks Junior Football Club were there as well, with activations to bring some colour and movement to the day. So it was a wonderful community event. There would have been hundreds of people there. We were there for three or four hours, and it was great to chat to so many friends and family locally.

Yesterday, Sunday the 25th of May, it was a pleasure to be at the Rowville Scout Hall at Arcadia Reserve, attending the community market put on by Share Space. There was a big crowd down there, a great buzz. It was a wonderful activation of Arcadia Reserve on a lovely Sunday afternoon. So a shout out to Gail and Brian and Jess and Mandy, all the familiar faces and volunteers from Share Space, and to the wonderful vendors and stallholders who came along to bring the market to life for the locals. Rowville CFA was in attendance, Sundaez N Chill, Heavenly Sweets and Treats, the Lizard Wizard, which was quite popular, snakes and turtles and spiders and the like, and local live music.

I also bumped into Helen, who's the group leader of the 1st Rowville Scouts, and was able to have a look around the scout hall and look at some of the improvement work that they really need to get done and get cracking on. So, a remarkable effort by Gail and the Share Space team. I'm a big supporter of theirs. They do wonderful work at an incredible time of need across our community, so I commend all of those involved in organising that yesterday.

And just quickly from the end of 2024. On the 17th of December, I attended the Share Space sanctuary group end of year Christmas lunch, which was at the 1st Rowville Scout Hall. It was amazing to join Gail and her generous and smiling volunteers, so many friends and locals. It was a really great way to meet an inspiring bunch of people who were all in support of one another, and a very generous group.