The Old Bus Depot Markets is preparing to celebrate its 30th birthday next weekend - and stallholder Carol Webster has been there from the start.
She still sells her eclectic mix of hand-made jewellery three decades after the markets' founders, Diane Hinds and Morna Whiting, spotted her work and invited her to be part of their exciting new venture, in the cavernous space of Canberra's former bus depot in Kingston.
The Old Bus Depot Markets opened in 1994 and became a Canberra institution, as well as an award-winning tourist attraction.
Diane and Morna sold the markets in 2016, to Iconic Market and Events, which is celebrating the 30th birthday on Sunday, November 10.
Carol, 65, has been a mainstay of the markets, her Carol's Creations stall on the upper level even to this day.
She has served generations of customers at the markets and even met her best friend there, another stallholder, Sonia Burke, who upscales denim clothing.
"It's become like a family," Carol said.
"It's my outing. It's my day I put makeup on, get dressed up and go out. And it gives me an identity, rather than just 'Mum' and 'Grandma'.
"For me, it's not so much about making money, as having my outing. I make enough money so I can keep being creative and keep making things.
"Some of my customers have become friends and you do feel part of the family. Little ones used to come along with their mums and I made things for their year six and their year 10 and their year 12 formals. Then, when they got married, I made jewellery for their wedding."
It's been quite the journey for Carol. She studied goldsmithing and silversmithing straight out of school in Wagga Wagga but switched to computing at university to make more money as a young mum.
Carol was selected to join the public service after uni and moved to Canberra, quickly climbing the ranks of the Department Health and Community Services. Family reasons saw her resign and return to jewellery-making so she could be a stay-at-home mum for her three children.
"I went back to what I really enjoyed doing," she said.
Diane and Morna spotted Carol's work at an art show for the former Padua High School and invited her to be one of the first stallholders at the Old Bus Depot Markets.
"I thought, 'That'll be fun' and 30 years later, I'm still doing it," she said.
The markets, meanwhile, have continued, surviving a disastrous 2020 when bushfire smoke, a massive hailstorm and then the pandemic closed its doors. The building also had asbestos removed from its roof.
Markets manager Richard Vagi said it was still a Sunday tradition for Canberrans and visitors.
"We are so proud to remain as a vital home for local businesses and look forward to celebrating our 30 years with the Canberra community," he said.
The markets on Wentworth Avenue will celebrate its 30th birthday with the Jewel of Canberra theme day on Sunday November, 10 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
On the day, there will be balloons, a giant 30th birthday card to sign and Instagram photo frame to capture the fun.
