On Saturday 18th May, Bacchus Marsh (60km west of Melbourne) was the setting for our first Buttonfest for 2013. It was probably a bit of a surprise for some local people to discover that a Club for collecting buttons existed.

Saturday was cold but fortunately not wet, and driving into Bacchus Marsh at 7.30 am past river flats planted with vegetables and fruits, bright and colourful autumn trees, through the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour in memory of First World War soldiers, was a very pleasant way to start the day.

The Laurels – Bacchus Marsh Community College was a wonderful venue. We had hired two adjoining class rooms, which became one large room by pushing aside the concertina doors, making a perfect space for our event. Large windows on the outside walls of the room provided good light, which is important for looking at small objects!

Fourteen members had either double or single sales tables with a variety of wonderful buttons of all types, or button-related items. As well as local residents, people drove from Melbourne, Melton, and other nearby towns, to have a look. The raised area at the end of one room was a great place to have a combined display, provided by members, of wonderful examples of collectable buttons from the early 19th century to the mid 20th century. The raffles were popular, and children attending received a small bag of buttons to take home.

It was a very enjoyable day, and a great way to get together to share the button-collecting experience. It is always rather fun to see the incredulous looks on peoples’ faces when they discover ‘buttons’ for the first time!