By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NARRE Warren has never had a market to call its own.
Resident Sharyn Holt is trying to fix that and put the suburb on a level pegging with neighbouring Berwick, the home of the popular Akoonah Park Market.
“I went to the Casey Council with my idea and wanted to begin a marketplace in Narre Warren as we simply don’t have one,” Sharyn said.
“There are of course the big markets in Berwick such as Akoonah and Farmers’ Market in the Old Cheese Factory but nothing in Narre.”
The inaugural DJ’s Market Day will be held on Saturday 9 August, from 11.30am to 4.30pm, at the Oakgrove Community Centre in Narre Warren South. It will run on the second Saturday of every month.
Entry donations will go towards the Melanoma Institute Australia, an organisation dear to Sharyn’s heart.
In October 2012 Sharyn lost her mother, Dawn Jackson (DJ), to skin cancer.
“I began thinking of ways to honour her memory and as she was a very sociable person I came up with the idea to run a market and dedicate it to her,” Sharyn said.
“Thinking back all the ‘firsts’ are really hard, like the first anniversary, and still battling with not being able to call her and go and see her.
“I’m finding it therapeutic to have this market and raise the money.”
Many stall holders have already indicated their eagerness to get involved with the event, while merchandise in support of the Melanoma Institute will also be available on the day.
The market’s very own mascot, DJ the Lion, will also make an appearance.
“I think she (Dawn) would think it’s a wonderful gesture and be very proud. One of the things I said to her is I would be okay and I wasn’t, so I’m trying to turn a negative into a positive, and she’d be proud of that,” Sharyn said.
“The main message is that this is a community market, and we hope the community will embrace it with open arms, and we hope to raise awareness and encourage people to get their skin checks done.”
For more information on the DJ’s Market Day and to get involved, visit www.facebook.com/djscommunitymarket
