The turning point at an argyle affair provides a sense of place

A sunny brisk day attracted a crowd at a market day with a difference that was recently held at the historic backdrop of the Camden show hall and grounds.

Signage in Argyle Street outside the show pavilion encouraged patrons to leave a donation for the 2017 charity of choice for event organisers Brooke and Peta. The rustic notice fitted the atmospherics of the historic showground and hall which is the site of  Camden's famous annual rural festival, the Camden Show.. (1 Willis)

The scarves and beanies were out at the third year of the market day for The Argyle Affair which was held over a recent weekend. 

A great day for hipsters, grandparents, young families and friends at this great local event.

Live and local entertainment from young song writers and singers was provided in the marquee. The stage provided an opportunity for young and up-and-coming musos to do their stuff and show their wares to their adoring fans - even if they were rusted on family members.

Local up-and-coming artists and 'aspiring performers' always welcome the support and opportunity of a stage to hone their craft. You never know which one of these young hopefuls will be the next famous Australian artist on the international circuit in the entertainment industry. And you saw them here first. (I Willis)

There were ample pop-up food stalls that offered a range of hot delicacies from pulled beef to wholesome soup and others. Even the food stalls are sustainable these days with solar panels generating power-have panel will travel-anywhere.

The Argyle Affair was originally started in 2015  as the brainwave of local organisers Brooke and Peta who felt that local artisans needed a platform for their wares. Their website states:

The Argyle Affair was born from a shared passion to bring the community together to create a positive, creative event and supporting local charities. We felt that Camden needed a platform to showcase local & surrounds, makers, artists and performers. It was time that Camden had their time to SHINE!

There were around 25 stalls in the show hall and outside. By lunchtime there were lots of folk moving through the show pavilion.

Event organisers Brooke and Peta gave the historic 1890s AH&I Hall a lift with their artistic touch and appropriate greenery which took the edge off the rustic nature of the show pavilion. I wonder how many patrons really understood the importance of this room to the history of the town and it rural surrounds. (I Willis) 

The promoters state on the website that they were looking for edgy product and artisan crafts with a point of difference and a 'wow factor'.

We are looking for evidence of personal contribution in design, make or collaboration of the product. High quality products that display outstanding workmanship. We are on the hunt for unique products and services that push the design envelope.

Stallholders were certainly up to mark.

The artisan crafts and stalls were a great fit with the rural atmospherics provided by the historic show pavilion. The hall has held hundreds of community events just like The ArgyleAffair since its opening in the 1890s as a military drill hall for the Camden Rifles. The hall and these events are a central part of Camden's sense of place and identity.  (I Willis)

The Argyle Affair sponsor a local charity and this year it was 'Turning Point' who are a Camden based-comunity welfare centre in John Street. Turning Point state on their website:

We aim to provide a safe and confidential environment where we can offer assistance, providing welfare services such as emergency food relief, advocacy, document assistance, phone access, and computer availability with free Wi-Fi.

Market goers were asked for a gold coin admission or hand in an item of food that went to Turning Point.

Business with a heart in this display brightens up an otherwise drab and dark space and  usually unused part of the show hall pavilion. A great rustic and authentic touch that was framed by the show hall doors.  A simple statement of intent by event organisers about how they view The Argyle Affair. (I Willis)

Another great initiative by Camden locals who have combined business acumen with a heart.

For more information

Turning Point @ 80 John Street, Camden. 02 4655 1567
The Argyle Affair

Community Activism on Town Centre Strategy

Camden Community Alliance meeting 25 March 2015

Community activism marked a new turn in developments around the Camden Town Centre Strategy this week when a noisy public meeting was held at the Camden Civic Centre on Wednesday night March 25.

Camden Community Alliance

The meeting was called by the newly formed Camden Community Alliance. The numbers attending, estimated to be around 350, so overwhelmed organisers that the meeting had to be shifted from the Art Gallery to the main hall.

The Camden Community Alliance was first formed up by a group of concerned residents on February 3 with seven people. A decision was taken to proceed and the group made a move to incorporate the new organisation.

The public meeting was opened by Alliance president Peter Versluis and he expressed his appreciation of the overwhelming support shown by the Camden community is such a short time. He outlined the concerns of Alliance members about the community engagement process employed by council towards the Town Centre Strategy. He stated that the council needed to have early community engagement in the process and not hold in camera meetings only involving council staff on policy development. He felt that the 2014 public meetings and workshops were held to rubber stamp pre-existing decisions of council.  He stated that he was proud to be called a disgruntled resident on these issues.


Others who spoke included were Alliance secretary Peter Standen who outlined the purpose of the meeting. Urban planner and member of the Camden Chamber of Commerce Maryann Strickling who detailed the planning issues around the Town Centre Strategy.

Questions were invited from the floor of the meeting and there were many cheers and much clapping to some of the comments and questions.

Peter Versluis read a prepared statement from Camden mayor who gave her apologies and he also outlined the details a meeting he had had with the mayor and council officers earlier in the week.

Political candidates attend meeting

The meeting was also attended by Chris Patterson MLA, Labor candidate Cindy Cagney, Greens candidate Danica Sajn, and Christian Democrats candidate Colin Broadbridge. Councillors attending were Eva Campbell and Greg Chapman.

The audience expressed much passion and anger about many aspects of the Town Centre Strategy and supported a motion from the Alliance for a moratorium on its implementation.

Elements of Town Centre Strategy

Some of the key parts of the strategy involve a decked car park, traffic lights, removal jacarandas in the main street and changes to the street furniture. A trust deficit has opened up between the community and the council around the strategy.

The Town Centre Strategy engagement policy has been vigorously defended by the Camden mayor.

For those interested in good urban planning the strategy is an interesting case study of grass roots democracy in action around trust and effective community engagement.

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