Proving there's truth in the well worn phrase regarding one man's trash being another's treasure is Londonderry's The Junk Yard.
For more than 35 years the property at 11 Bennett Road has been the place where "pickers" from around the country have visited with the hope of finding a diamond in the rough.
And according to owner Gary Evans, many have left the yard satisfied.
In the yard you will find just about everything for sale, including [but not limited to] antique machines, furniture, tools, building materials, signs, records, items for the garden, books, and bottles dating back to the days of convicts.
The Junk Yard is the labour of love for Gary and his wife Sue.
The full-time business sparked from an extremely humble beginning ... a garage sale.
"I was in demolition all my life and I used to collect all kinds of rubbish," said Gary. "Back in about 91, when things were a bit quiet, I said to the missus, 'we should have a garage sale'.
"We did and sold about two-and-a-half thousand dollars worth of stuff. I said, 'we should keep this going'."
Over the years the couple have bought all types of items and according to Gary, still spend most of their weeks adding to the collection.
He said that just this week he had acquired a set of gates from Melbourne.
"We're travelling all the time," he said. "We were at Bega last Sunday night. You've got to jump when its there [he said of potential goods for the yard]."
Walking through The Junk Yard is like stepping back in time, and will no doubt conjure many a memory for visitors.
Included on the lot are several relics from former Sydney theme park Wonderland, the jewel of which, would have to be one of the actual park signs.
Gary also scored five old cars from the park's vintage car ride, and a clutch of the park's dodgem cars.
"Any Wonderland stuff, I get it," said Gary.
The Junk Yard was featured on an episode of television show Aussie Pickers, the homegrown version of the popular American Pickers brand, in which a couple of fellas make their way around the country trying to score themselves a vintage bargain.
Gary said that since appearing, the yard had attracted visitors from far and wide.
He said that business was pretty good at the moment with a lot of folk looking for items for the garden, like pots and planters.
The Junk Yard is open from 10am to 4pm, Fridays and weekends.
Matt Lawrence
My passion is providing news that matters to the community of which I serve. I have been doing so now for more than 25 years and my dedication remains as fresh as it was when starting out in the industry.
My passion is providing news that matters to the community of which I serve. I have been doing so now for more than 25 years and my dedication remains as fresh as it was when starting out in the industry.
