Meet RCSM stallholder David Hauswirth and Camberwell Junction trader Tanya Gale

When it comes to antiques, there is no better place to find a rare gem or unique treasure than Camberwell Junction.

Whether you’re hunting the stalls at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market for a pre-loved treasure or searching the shelves at Camberwell Antique Centre, there are plenty of incredible items to be found, often with fascinating stories attached to them.

Sunday Market stallholder David Hauswirth and Camberwell Junction trader Tanya Gale both share a love of antiques, and have many years of sourcing and selling wares from a time steeped in history.

These are their stories.

Meet Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market stallholder David Hauswirth

He has been trading from his famous antiques stall at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market for more than 15 years, so you could say David Hauswirth knows a thing or two when it comes to collector’s items.

Mr Hauswirth also runs Ace Antiques and Collectibles, an antiques store in North Melbourne, which is renowned for its vintage radios, antique toys, and enamel signs. He brings more than two decades of knowledge and experience to his stall at the Sunday Market, which many market-goers have shown a keen interest in.

His stall is renowned for its extensive offering of vinyl records, many of which are an original pressing. He also sells a range of bric-a-brac items such as antique ornaments, collectible toys, tools, pottery and more.

“The Sunday Market is a good outlet. You meet up with a lot of great people… and it’s good to come home with a bit of money in your pocket,” he said.

Mr Hauswirth also enjoys the strong community aspect of being involved in the Sunday Market.

“You get regular people that come by each week and you meet other regular stallholders which is great,” he said.

Mr Hauswirth said the market was a good place to find quality pre-loved items.

“With the way things are going with the economy, I think the second-hand market will kick off again. The freighting of stuff has gone up so much… so people are going to look locally for options. There is so much great stuff to be found right here,” he said.

“I’m into getting quality items… because quality is always going to be quality. It will last if it is made well.”

Mr Hauswirth is always looking to buy new goods, and offers a service that assists people with deceased estates and clearing homes of goods prior to sale.

Meet Camberwell Junction trader Tanya Gale

Tanya Gale has been passionate about sourcing and selling antiques for as long as she can remember.

She has been running the Camberwell Antique Centre since 1995, which is located in an iconic heritage building on Cookson St, and offers a treasure trove of antiques and collectables.

Established in 1983, the store is one of Melbourne’s oldest and largest antique stores and renowned for its range of period furniture, silver, collectable china, Australian pottery, sporting memorabilia, estate and vintage jewellery, Oriental collectables, paintings, perfume bottles and more.

Ms Gale said customers were often interested in items of French origin including glassware and cosmetics receptacles, with the centre offering a premium selection of antique and commercial perfume bottles and cosmetic packaging.

“We get a whole range of visitors to the store – from those who are real collectors and antique connoisseurs to the ones that just love to come and browse,” she said.

The centre works with licensed dealers who specialise in particular items or eras, many of whom are members of the Victorian Antique Dealers Guild.

“Our dealers source items from auctions, deceased estates, private sellers or collectors simply looking to downsize their collection,” Ms Gale said.

From mid-July, the Camberwell Antique Centre will acquire goods from an antique store in High St, Armadale which is closing, meaning their range will expand.

“We’ll be the biggest antique centre in Melbourne by a long way,” Ms Gale said.

Camberwell Antiques Centre is open seven days a week and offers services including obligation-free appraisals, selling furniture on consignment and worldwide shipping. Visit the store at 25-29 Cookson St.