THE power of social media was on display on Sunday, as Bendigo residents gathered to share unwanted goods.
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Women’s, men’s and children’s clothes hung from makeshift racks in the civic gardens adjacent to the Bendigo Town Hall, opposite the council offices.
One of the attendees, Jess, said at least 1000 people attended.
“There were so many people here at the start – it’s madness,” she said.
All items were offered free-of-charge.
“It’s not about charity – you don’t need to prove you need it,” Jess said.
She said the idea was for people to give away goods they no longer needed or wanted, and to take what they fancied.
The Really, Really Free Market was inspired by a global movement.
But it was only the second time it had been staged in Bendigo, Jess said.
The event was arranged and promoted via social media. However, Jess said there was no ‘organiser’.
“It’s an organic thing that just pops up and goes away again,” she said.
Market goer Serene Neylon, from Bendigo, said she found out about the event on Facebook.
“It’s so good, I love it,” she said.
Eight-year-old Nikolai Pearce took ownership of three hats and a giant shopping bag.
She too was thrilled by the idea.
“It’s really fun,” she said.
Jess, who declined to provide her surname, expected the market would be held seasonally in future.