The success of Rundell & Rundell’s inaugural Lost Trade Fair caught the Victorian township of Kyneton off-guard. The fact that on March 15 and 16, 2014, over 7000 people beat a path to its local museum to view archaic tools and processes challenged the idea these trades were now ‘rare’ due to a lack of interest.
One participant reported that by 3pm on Saturday every café and store in the town had run out food, and by the end of the event over 180 towns, councils and individuals around Australia had enquired with the organisers about the possibility of holding similar events.
Lost Trades Australia and the Lost Trades Fair are the creation of Glen and Lisa Rundell whose aim is to highlight the significance of these trades ‘before they are lost to history’. 'We were a committee of two, and this has been a long time in the planning', said Lisa.
Glen specialises in Windsor chairmaking, which he also teaches courses in. Glen’s furniture, Lisa’s jewellery and leatherware, as well as other items sell from their Piper Street, Kyneton shop. With professional expertise in marketing and PR Lisa was well equipped to engage mainstream press and TV coverage.
The Lost Trades Fair highlighted demonstrations and displays from around 30 participants. Wood-related trades included chairmaking by Glen Rundell and Bern Chandley, George Smithwick’s coopering, musical instrument making (Peter Murphy, Andy Rigby) and toolmakers Colen Clenton and Terry Gordon.
Other trades covered included stonemasonry, letterpress and typography, leatherwork, arrow making, blacksmithing, rush and cane seat making, knifemaking, French polishing, hedgelaying and hurdle making, saddlery, spinning and other household crafts.
With a list of booked demonstrators that has already doubled, planning for next year’s event is already well underway along with several other opportunities for showcasing Australia’s traditional and contemporary craftspeople.
For more information see www.rundellandrundell.com.au