By BRIDGET SCOTT
A SELFLESS Cannons Creek resident who has collected items for over 45 years will put them to auction this weekend, with all funds raised to go towards a water project in Tonga.
Andrew Pinxt moved to the area in 1968 and started his collection not long after.
“I had a collection in Holland, but was forced to get rid of it when I migrated,” he said.
The collector said he could recall visiting the tip not long after he arrived, arriving with two rubbish bins and returning with four.
“I collect whatever I can get my hands on,” he said.
With everything from lamps, toys, old school memorabilia and horse carriages, near everything is set to go as the Cannons Creek resident and his wife get ready to downsize.
Unsure of where they will move to yet, the couple hope to remain in the area.
Mr Pinxt hopes to get around 100 people to his auction this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and said all funds raised would go towards a new water system he was helping build in Tonga as part of a Rotary project.
He said while he would find it hard to let most of it go he “must be realistic” and would be particularly sad to let go of the various lamps he had collected.
“It was fun, real fun,” he said.
Mr Pinxt said he had a museum set up and could remember groups from retirement villages coming through and donating pieces to his displays.
“I treasure just about everything,” he said.
Among his collection are old school desks as well as a number of ink wells which he came across when he did the gas behind the Cranbourne Primary School.
In addition to the auction, he will also hold a tool sale on 9 May.
For more information about the auction this weekend, contact Andrew Pinxt on 0419 722 501.
