We sat down with Louise Twine from the Balmain Market to talk a little about both the past and potential of this beloved event, of which Cobden & Hayson is a proud supporter. We truly believe she’s one of the heroes of our community. If you stroll past the markets early on a Saturday you’ll witness the huge effort she and her husband put into creating something that the entire community benefits from. And to know that she does it just for love makes her story quite special.
The Balmain Market is one of Sydney’s oldest and best-loved markets. Located in the grounds of St. Andrews Church on the corner of Darling Street and Curtis Road, it’s rich in history. The original concept dates back to 1971 when some locals formed the Balmain Association, holding an annual Christmas arts and crafts sale at The Watch House. This then evolved into the Balmain Village Fair, outgrowing The Watch House, and in 1977 the organisers approached the church about launching a community market in the grounds.
Louise Twine moved to the peninsula two decades ago and used to peruse the market regularly. Even when she moved interstate it became a non-negotiable port of call when she came back to visit. When she once again found herself living in Balmain she set up her own stall, selling upcycled cushions and succulents. She’d always arrive early and stay late to help out, such was her passion for the market. Louise got to know the Reverend and his son and daughter who jointly ran the event and eventually ended up helping run the show along with her husband.
“Back in the day there used to be three iconic markets in Sydney – Balmain, Paddington and Kirribilli,” says Louise. “Now you’re competing with about 160 markets across town! The Reverend had to entrust the market to someone else when he temporarily moved away and it wasn’t really looked after properly, but it’s such a special community event that I was delighted to get involved and not let it just fade away. I’m determined to revive it to what it once was.”
