IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Our Maitland Markets office will be closing on 20 February 2021.
If you have anything that needs to be finalised please contact us before this date either by email catherine_blanch@bigpond.com.au or by phone 02 49625522.
Thank You
It is with deep regret and overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of the founder of the Maitland Markets, Mrs Gwen Murphy aged 93 and the permanent closure of the Maitland Markets at the Maitland Showground. After more than 40 years and 4 generations of working together cooperatively, in the common pursuit of the success of the show ground, the Association has decided it is in their best interest not to renew our licence.
To ensure the timely return of monies due, stall holders requiring refunds for pre payments are asked to apply in writing to :
The Market office at P.O. Box 40, ISLINGTON NSW 2296 Advising:
Name
Address
Site number
Amount/Description
We appreciate your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
COVID PLAN
Contact us via writing Market Office PO Box 40 ISLINGTON NSW 2296
MEDIA RELEASE
BELOVED LOCAL MARKET VIBE SET TO RETURN AND KEEP ITS HISTORY ALIVE FOR EAGER PATRONS AND STALLHOLDERS
The temporary close-down of the iconic Maitland Markets due to COVID-19 restrictions was felt with gloom across the district in March this year. It has been a central thread in the rich tapestry of cultural and artistic diversity and community connection in Maitland for over 4 decades.
Market Owner and Maitland descendant Catherine Blanch was thrilled to confirm that the community marketplace will be reopened on 2 August at its home of forty years, the Maitland Showground and unless plans are derailed by restrictions, will continue to operate as a regular economic driver for the region throughout the year.
“The Maitland Markets have been a staple event for many artisans, self-funded retires, pensioners, farmers and curious shoppers since 1980,” Mrs Blanch said. The market has acted as an incubator of small business for decades and now celebrates 4 generations of a family business.
“There are always some neat second-hand goods on sale, but the real gift of these markets is all the amazing creative works produced and sold by mainly local people with amazing talent – we’ve had so many enquiries about when the markets will start back up, people are really missing them,” she said. Boredom and loneliness are a real threat to personal wellbeing for many single, aged or isolated people and many consider the market part of their extended family stated Mrs Blanch, As do I. she said.
Stallholders thrive in the tried and tested model for buying and selling handcrafted and curated wares, and many have used the marketplace as a platform to raise much-needed funds for a range of locally focused projects and charities.
Market Owner, Catherine Blanch said that the markets started as a community project to raise money to build a tourist hut which stands in King Edward Park, East Maitland.
“This project was a huge success and showed our community how a dedicated bunch of creative people could come together and deliver on a need to drive the tourism sector in Maitland,” she said.
“Once the hut was completed, the charitable notion remained and was channeled into other local projects. To date, the Maitland Fair Markets has contributed more than two million dollars to the not-for-profit sector.”
Most graciously, it is the stallholders who drive the atmosphere and success of the markets through their diverse offerings, sold mainly at a minimal profit, but that enable social and cultural interaction for themselves, their customers, and the visiting communities.
“It’s a very harmonious atmosphere down at the showground when the markets are on. We notice the enjoyment when we’re on the run-around, and we’ve received many notes of thanks and acknowledgement that these markets are such high-quality and so enjoyable to be among,” Mrs Blanch said.
“Visitors particularly write that the markets remind them of shopping the way it used to be, at what is now recognised as Australia’s largest privately owned country market,”
“At this time, there are so many people missing that connection and we’ve put measures in place to maximise everyone’s safety because we know there are people who need to sell and treat themselves to something a bit magical that’s been closed off to them for so long.”
MORE INFORMATION
The Maitland Fair Markets are held on the first Sunday of every month except January, and run on the first and third Sundays of October, November and December.
The Markets host more than 600 sites and are a considerable tourist and economic driver for the region with visiting from as far away as Gunnedah, Tamworth, Taree and Port Macquarie. For interviews phone Market Office on 02 4962 5522
Stall holders requiring refunds for pre payments are asked to apply in writing:
Market Office
PO Box 40
ISLINGTON NSW 2296
Join Our Mailing List
- STALL HOLDERS REQUIRING REFUNDS -
Please provide in writing advising us:
Name
Address
Site Number
Amount/Description
We appricate your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
- Congratulations Jan-Lee Craft Baby Wear & Gifts celebrating 20 years at Maitland Markets -
My Mother Colleen Redding that has the Stall Holder Jan-Lee Craft Baby Wear & Gifts is Celebrating her 20th Year at the Maitland Markets. I would just like everyone to give her some Congratulations and Wishes for the years that mum has been here. Colleen loves coming every month rain, hail or sunshine , selling her beautiful hand make gifts.
Thanks Janet McCann (Daughter)
Hear What Our Stallholders Have to Say -
7/4/19
It was a great market day today
From all of is at Barrys Bags and Belts, Neils Timber Signs
and Driver Training NSW
we thankyou all for the amazing effort you all put in
See you at the next markets in May
Sally
7/4/19
We had a great day with Cookies Collars
and Kdz Contracting
Ang
7/4/19
Thank you for the great organisation once again.
Nanz Kraft had a good day under the grandstand with many regulars returning for more handmade baby items.
3/3/19
We sold plenty and I have orders to keep me busy for the next month.
Thank you to all who bought today, your support is very appreciated.
Gary
Heroes and More 2018
It is with a very big sad face that I am going to have to finish up holding stalls at the markets.
I have loved being a part of the community up there for the last 3+ years but we have had a few changes and just don't have the bodies to be able to continue up there.
I wanted to message you to say thank you for the time up there and for the work you all put in to hosting such a great market every month. Without monthly visits up there we would never have been able to open up our store. So THANKYOU for helping us step closer each month to our goals.
I would love to continue, we have always had very successful days up there and have a great customer base but it is just too hard to continue doing everything!
Hopefully someday we might be able to join again.
Thank you so much for everything.
Regards
Melanie Wait
Jessi, Little Birdie Love -
A huge thank you to everyone who came out yesterday and supported us at the Maitland Markets.
It was our biggest sales day to date and I am incredibly grateful for the love of this community who shop and support small businesses like myself. There were so many people visiting the markets yesterday which was fantastic to see.
Juggling work and family is hard at the best of times, but market days are quite the balancing act. I couldn't do it without my wonderful Mum, sisters and husband who help me both with the stall and watching the girls so I can do what I do. I'm so grateful and so very very lucky.
Looking forward to doing it all again next month!
Find Jessi at
Facebook Page and Instagram #littlebirdielove
- Hear What Our Stallholders Have to Say -
Customer Review for Stallholder
Campkins Jerky
My partner rekons it’s the best jerky he has ever had.
Gets it every time we go to Maitland markets, now asking for me to order more online. Good job guys!
27 January 2020
Thanks to everyone for a great day yesterday. Wasn't the weather outstanding 🤗
Once again H&B's Engraving and Keys had a good day. We had three customers from last month come back to express the gratitude and happiness with the spare car key we cut and programmed for them. Its appreciation like this that makes what we do all that much better.😊
Bill Doran
Had a great day at Maitland Markets today, I wanted to thank all the
wonderful people who make this happen. I feel grateful that you take the
time to help the stall holders with your experience and knowledge. Great
neighbors,top day.
Many thanks,
Burnt Offerings.
Hi there - Happy belated Easter to you all. I shall be at the market in
May...yippee- the many other stallholders I met were wonderful and
welcoming...so great - thank you Tangi
Thank you for having us at your market. We had a great day meeting crafters of all ages and made new friends in fellow stallholders😊 It was nice to meet you Di😊
Lisa Lee Allerton
Wow...what a nice day it was on Sunday...we were at Maitland Market..had our another successful day there. Meeting nice and new people is always been very exciting!!!☺😃🤗💚🍋🍹☘🌿 Here is our Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice with garden fresh mint..!! 🌱🌿Super delicious, healthy and refreshing. 😍☺ Perfect drink for the spring..!! 🤗🌻🌺☘🌿🍁🍂🍹🍹
Thanks everyone who have expressed their love for Sugarcane juice yesterday at Maitland market and encouraged us!! Love to hear from you always!! 🤗😍😃
Sarah, Just Cane.
A short note to thank you and your team for all the assistance we received to set up our pop up at Maitland Markets yesterday.
We were in a great spot with great foot traffic and were able to talk to many people and get their feedback about the concept plan for the Hunter Sports & Entertainment Precinct.
Once again, many many thanks
Erika
Erika Jimenez
Senior Project Manager
Communications and Engagement
Elton Consulting, Bondi Junction www.elton.com.au
Heidi and I would like to thank the organisers for what turned out to be, generally a good day overall. While the start had some teething problems at least it was cool compared to later in the day. I know Heidi and I are new to the market scene but we were very pleasantly surprised at how well everything came together and the overall facilities maintained during the day by the staff. It was nice to have clean toilets (with toilet paper and soap) and numerous rubbish bins available to all. So a big well done Catherine and your team.
I'd also like to thank those members of the public who braved the extremely hot condition and made our efforts worth while.
HandBs Engraving and Keys👍
Support from Maitland Markets
Thank you to Maitland Markets management and staff for your donation to
SIM's Cambodia Inc. You are wonderful for thinking of our work and your
donation is very much appreciated.
We are currently fundraising to build a preschool at Un Long Thom and every
dollar raised goes towards our hope of breaking the poverty cycle through
education.
Thank you.
Brian and Sue Morgan
Sim's Cambodia Inc
February Market Day from H and B's Engraving and Keys
Heidi and I would like to thank the organisers for what turned out to be, generally a good day overall. While the start had some teething problems at least it was cool compared to later in the day. I know Heidi and I are new to the market scene but we were very pleasantly surprised at how well everything came together and the overall facilities maintained during the day by the staff. It was nice to have clean toilets (with toilet paper and soap) and numerous rubbish bins available to all. So a big well done Catherine and your team.
I'd also like to thank those members of the public who braved the extremely hot condition and made our efforts worth while.
HandBs Engraving and Keys
See what this happy customer had to say...
Check Out Our Video
“I absolutely loved these markets. So much to look at. Loved that there was live music everywhere. Different Styles.
My only disappointment was that we had to leave so early to go back to Sydney.
We had a great time in Maitland. Lovely Place”
MizKim Dennis | Facebook