Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 14 - Display and Chamber 15 - Museum

Chamber 14 - Display and Chamber 15 - Museum were listed on the earliest map drawn up for Tyabb Packing House Antiques as two separate chambers, and were originally separated by half a wall, with a corridor running through the space to the side. Accessed from Chamber 10 - Crofton or from Chamber 19 - Packham.

Exterior of the Packing House, before the renovation. The open section is where part of these chambers were, before being incorporated. (Photo: 1993-03)

Before the Packing House was opened in 1993 this area was somewhat of a disparate collection of spaces, with half being open to Peacock Road, but through the renovations of the building these were consolidated and closed in. 

From 1993-1995 both Chamber 14 and Chamber 15 were held by Industria, they were in this space for some time before deciding to leave the Packing House to trade in their own store closer to the city. They traded in industrial items. They went on to open their own shop in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy in the later 1990s. Industria later returned to the Packing House in 2013, taking up a space in Chamber 1 - Tycos.

Then from 1995 Unique & Antique held this space until 2009; when they moved to Chamber 2 - Glenburn, they traded in kitchenalia, coins, petrol & oil items and general antiques and collectables.

Following on from Unique & Antique's move this the space was divided between Bell’s Antiques, taking Chamber 14 - Display and John Rolls, taking Chamber 15 - Museum. Bell’s Antiques specialised in rare and different lamps, objects de vertu and other museum-quality lamp and vase-related items. Whilst John Rolls sold antique furniture. John Rolls passed away in late 2010.

In 2011 Bell’s Antiques took over both Chamber 14 - Display and Chamber 15 - Museum.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

  • Chamber 14 is the only chamber to contain a heater within the chamber as the wall of the Packing House is on its boundary, see here for more heating related information.

  • Several angles of these chambers were featured on the Nine Network tourism show “Postcards” in 2007.

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 13 - William

Chamber 13 - William was located through Chamber 12 - Snow and through the side of Chamber 10 - Crofton, this chamber also contained one of three ramps in the Packing House that could access Chamber 27 - Golden Delicious (the café). The ramp in this chamber led down into Chamber 19 - Packham. 

Initially during the first opening years of 1993-1994 it held a stall showcasing antique 'shop' style items, antique canisters, jars, flasks along with counters and other such furniture.

In the mid-1990s a maritime and militaria dealer held this space and some of the space at this chamber's entrance in Chamber 10 - Crofton. 

In the mid-later 1990s through to the mid-2000s Gully Antiques held this space with antiques and old wares.

Then in the late 1990s Antiques & Old Lace took over the space as a space for their vintage and antique movie posters. 

Moving into the 21st century Antiques & Old Lace, trading as Silver Screen fully took over this space for movie posters, vintage and collectable comics, collectable movie photo prints, and other movie memorabilia and collectable items.  

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

External links

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 12 - Snow

Chamber 12 - Snow was the first chamber on the left along the central corridor going down the middle of the main building, accessed from Chamber 10 - Crofton and led through to Chamber 20 - Red Delicious, with Chamber 11 - Five Crown opposite.

For most of the Packing House's operating history it has been inhabited by one dealer, although they have changed their focus somewhat throughout the years.

Antiques and Old Lace was the dealer, and initially they traded in antique furniture, which progressed into antique furniture and posters with the posters mostly inhabiting the neighbouring Chamber 13 - William. 

Then as the 2010s progressed the furniture made way for more posters, and then movie memorabilia and comics.

In the early 2000s it was repainted from the blue and cream which had been the default colour for the internal chambers in 1993 to a light plum coloured paint.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

More information

  • This was one of the most trafficked chambers, simply owing to its position as the first along the main corridor that led to Chamber 27 - Golden Delicious (the café, and the toilets contained within).

  • There was a window that once looked into the garden in the middle, and brought some natural light into this space.

  • This is chamber, the neighbouring Chamber 13 - William and the nearby Chamber 17 - Winter Cole and Chamber 18 - Winter Nelis are some of the few chambers with a full false ceiling. During the initial renovation of the Packing House the ceiling was deemed to be in too bad a condition to repair it, or have it on display, thus a false ceiling was hung.

  • In 2015 as part of the transition from furniture to a focus on movie memorabilia Silver Screen added a red carpet through this chamber leading into Chamber 13 - William to further guide and to entice people to explore the neighbouring chamber.

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 11 - Five Crown

Chamber 11 - Five Crown; this chamber was the first of the older chambers at the Packing House. Upon entering at the front counter and turning right into Chamber 10 - Crofton it was the first chamber on the right. It had openings into Chamber 12 - Snow, Chamber 20 - Red Delicious and Chamber 26 - Sheppards Delight.

In 1993 Pete and Bill Jones occupied this space selling antiques and old wares.

Then in the later 1990s Michael and Andrew McDonald held this space selling antique furniture. 

Rumpoles Antiques & Fine Wares (Photo: 2012-02-24)

Rumpoles Antiques & Fine Wares took on Chamber 11 - Five Crown in 1997, immediately making it their own. Beryl Whitfield, the proprietor of Rumpoles sectioned off each corner of this chamber making it into a different smaller space within, giving the space a unique feel and look, unlike all the other chambers within the Packing House before or since. She once remarked that she wanted 'people to be able to discover' within this space. 

Beryl ceased trading at Tyabb in late 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer, she passed away in August of that year.

In September 2012, after all of Beryl's items had been sold and the space cleared out there was a chance to look around the chamber, now that is was properly empty for the first time since 1993. It was decided to repaint the whole chamber and also re-carpet it, as the walls a variety of colours including; creamy white, orange and green along with some patterns. It was repainted in a neutral white.  

On the 13th September 2012 it was fully re-carpeted.

On the 14th September 2012 Tom & Jan Hearn Antiques moved from Chamber 10 - Crofton into Chamber 11.

On the 18th September 2019 Jan Hearn Antiques moved into the neighbouring Chamber 20 - Red Delicious to take on three quarters of the space; Julian Phillips Antiques was consolidating his stock down to the other quarter of the space. Antique By Design took on Chamber 11 at this time (moving from Chamber 19 - Packham), adding flourishes such as different curtains and other interior design elements to make the space unique to the style that they were selling.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

Screenshot: “The Great Outdoors” © Seven Network Limited 2003

More information

  • This chamber featured in an episode of “The Great Outdoors” in 2003.

  • This chamber once had a lot of natural light entering this chamber via two openings into Chamber 26 - Sheppards Delight, through the years one of these openings was blocked and as of 2023 both openings have been blocked.

Other obscurities

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 10 - Crofton

Chamber 10 - Crofton, was one of the more complicated chambers. A long wide space, which also included a walkway.

1993; before the renovations. Looking towards what would become the lay-by room. (Photo: 1993-03)

It was immediately to the right of the Front Counter when entering the Packing House, and had space against the walls with Chamber 9 and Chamber 8 to the left and Chamber 12 and 13 to the right (an entrance into Chamber 13 was also from this area). Additionally the chamber led to a stepped entrance to Chambers 14 and 15.

And most importantly it also was the main path people would walk to get to the central walkway that visitors used to get to the bulk of the chambers, and Chamber 27 - Golden Delicious which contained the café and the toilets.

One of more notable features of this area, at least in the early era of the Packing House before the installation of the ducted heating systems that were installed in 2007 was that this was the location a single large heater duct, the heater was located just beside this area, and blew air along this space. It made it one of the warmer places to be in the winter. Gerard Martland would often be found standing here during the cooler months. There remains a blank piece of plyboard on the wall that covered up the hole where this heater vent was located. 

Next to this hole was also the entrance to the lay-by room and what might optimistically be called the Packing House's staff room. It contained a sink, a fridge, microwave and kettle. Tea bags, instant coffee and sugar were provided by management from the mid-1990s through to 2021 when COVID concerns ended this engagement.

Looking ahead along this area from the front entrance, (in the corner an area between the lay-by room wall and Chamber 11 wall) this was utilised from 1993 to 2001 by Dollshouse Antiques, a dealer who sold jewellery and dolls house-based wares was in place for a few years following the opening of the Packing House.

Chamber 10 from within the lay-by room in 2021-10-12

In 2001 this area became the Packing House's computer room when it gained a website, this small room continued to be utilised for the Packing House's website through to December 2021 when new owners Morgan & Griffin instructed the website be shut down. Following this the room became used for maintenance-related storage.

Immediately around the corner from the front counter were cabinets, these were part of Sheila Martland's area and were in place from 1993 through to 2021. They were removed in February 2022 when she ceased trading at the Packing House.

Opposite this space next to the opening to the central corridor and the entrance to Chamber  11 - Five Crown was for a number of years in the 1990s a chocolate counter, trading for a time as "Be Tempted". This was removed in 2000.

In September 2012 Rosedale Interiors moved to this space when Rustic Charm moved into the lower end of this chamber, Rosedale Interiors ceased trading in mid-2015. This area was renovated slightly, recovering the flooring and was utilised by Sheila Martland to display garden-related items in June 2015.

Further along Chamber 10 nearest to the emergency exit door onto Peacock Road, through the first one or two years of opening Tyabb Packing House Antiques 1993 to 1994; this chamber space was used to showcase the history of the Packing House building, with trolleys that had been in use when the building operated as a coolstore on display alongside packing labels, signage, stencils, and other items that had been found in the building during its renovation. These were all alongside some large apple crates – full of apples for people to select and eat for themselves.

Along this area between the entrances to Chamber 13 - William and Chamber 12 - Snow for a time Sheila Martland had a display of various antique clothing.

In the later 1990s two jewellery counters were added in the middle area of this space nearest to the entrance to Chambers 9 and 12, operated by Jean Funston. These two jewellery counters were later moved to one side, the wall shared with Chamber 9. Later these jewellery counters were taken on by Susan Hogan Jewellery they focused on estate and antique jewellery, they were in this space until March 2016.

(Photo: 1995)

In the mid-2000s, directly opposite the jewellery counter, beside the entrance to Chamber 12 - Snow, T. Briggs occupied this space, a dealer of country and cottage-style furniture along with small decorative household items. While this was the smallest of spaces at the Packing House it seemed to always attract people interested in a decently priced interesting item. T. Briggs was in this space from the early 2000s through to early 2022 when changes made by new owners Morgan & Griffin to how sales were processed at the front counter meant their business was unviable at the Packing House.

Continuing along Chamber 10 was originally held by by Galante Antiques until the mid-2000s, at which time Tom & Jan Hearn Antiques took on this space. They remained in this space through until September 2012 when they moved to Chamber 11 - Five Crown.

On the opposite side of the chamber along the wall of Chamber 13 was Rosedale Interiors who had been at the Packing House from the early 2000s, in September 2012 when Rustic Charm moved into the Peacock Road end of this chamber they moved to the wall alongside Chamber 11 - Five Crown, they ceased trading in mid-2015.

In September 2012 Rustic Charm (also known as Rustica), moved to this space (they had occupied Chamber 19 - Packham). They sold rustic imported furniture, they continued to trade from this space until early-2016.

When this move occurred the carpet in this chamber was removed, revealing the original painted numbers on the wood floor for the first time in about 10 years. Carpet was re-laid in 2017.

In early-2016 Antique By Design, who specialised in Hollywood-era design, decorator and vintage designer pieces occupied Chamber 10 - Crofton for a short time until Chamber 19 - Packham became available later in late-September 2016 when French Heritage Antiques ended their short tenure at the Packing House.

Upon Antique By Design moving to Chamber 19, Paisley Collectables which had occupied Chamber 16 - Beurre Bosc moved to occupy Chamber 10 in early-October 2016.

In mid-2021 the chamber opening between this chamber and Chamber 13 - William was blocked up allowing Silver Screen and Paisley Collectables more space, albeit at the cost of access to these two chambers.

Paisley Collectables remained at the Packing House until November 2021 when they moved on, opening a store in Hastings.

Following this dealer vacating, Chamber 10 remained empty for a the remainder of 2021 and several months into 2022. In mid-2022 the space began to be utilised by several dealers in neighbouring chambers to showcase some items of stock while the space was also advertised for rent by Morgan & Griffin.

By January 2023 the space had been emptied, then in later 2023 The Guild Gallery, who had initially set up a pop-up shop in Chamber 24 - Bartletts in early-2023 moved from there into this space. 

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

More information

  • This chamber was contained by two emergency fire doors which, during a fire emergency would close sealing Chamber 1 - Tycos and Chamber 9 - Jonathon off from this chamber.

  • The opening into Chamber 12 - Snow was the most frequented path by visitors as it was the path taken to go through along the central path to head to the toilets located in Chamber 27 - Golden Delicious.

  • Several angles of this chamber was featured on the Nine Network tourism show “Postcards” in 2007.

  • This chamber appeared on "Coxy's Big Break" - Season 7, Episode 19 - Yarra and Maribynong first broadcast: 20 June 2009 on Seven. It featured Greg Chilvers of Antiques and Old Lace (and Silver Screen) located in Chamber 12 - Snow and Chamber 13 - William, he featured in a skit involving a dress that the presenter dons while at the Packing House.

  • This chamber featured in episode 5 ‘Pascoe Vale’ of “Deadline Design with Shaynna Blaze” with Shayna Blaze visiting the Packing House.

External links

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 9 - Jonathon

Chamber 9 - Jonathon was located behind the front counter (and its office) and was the intersection of two paths.

It was the through path of the central corridor of the north-south corridor running through the main bulk of the building to Chamber 1 - Tycos and Chamber 12 - Snow, and there was also the path that led to Chamber 8 - Democrat. 

From the late 1990s through to January 2015 this space was occupied by Jill Anderson a dealer who sold antique kitchen furniture and recycled timber furniture.

Floors recovered in vinyl. 2015-02-03

In February 2015 Wendy Morrison moved from Chamber 4 - Newton to this chamber, ahead of her move the floors were recovered in a kitchen tiles vinyl to give the space a more vintage aesthetic.

Wendy Morrison traded in this area until Sunday the 23rd April 2017 when she ceased trading at the Packing House.

In 2017 this chamber was then taken on by Sheila Martland who began a process of consolidating some of the spaces she had around the Packing House. Exiting from a section of Chamber 21 - Pippin and Chamber 16 - Beurre Bosc. 

In August 2019 a doorway was cut between the front counter office and this chamber so Sheila Martland and her associate could better monitor this area, and also man and monitor the front counter.

In September 2019, Sheila Martland exited from a section of Chamber 1 - Tycos (a space she had held since 1993) and moved into only this chamber. She maintained this chamber until she left the Packing House on 13th February 2022.

Throughout 2022 the space saw a variety of uses for a few dealers to display mirrors and other unusually odd shaped items, then in 2023 Packing House Sweets also took on some of the space to display their wares along with the Pet Shed Tyabb.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

Screenshot: Postcards © 2007, Nine Network

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 8 - Democrat

Chamber 8 - Democrat was located immediately behind Chamber 9 - Jonathon and the front counter area, whilst backing onto Chamber 4 - Newton.

This space was a similar size to the other chambers beside it (Chambers 7, 6, 5, 3), but had always had more than one dealer within it. Mostly this was down to this being not the first place visitors to the Packing House wandered to, therefore it commanded a different approach for dealers. 

2010-08-12, Lilly Pilly Cottage.

Lilly Pilly Cottage occupied the right side of the chamber if entering from Chamber 9. They sold cottage-inspired old wares. They were within this chamber from the mid-1990s through to early 2011.

In early 2011 Stuart Dear Antiques took over this space, specialising in old masters' paintings and Asian antiques. They continued to trade until May 2019, when they ceased trading at the Packing House.

This space was next taken in October 2019 by David Evans, trading as abeautifulthing, they had previously held a space at The Bottom Drawer in Moorooduc. With an eclectic range of antiques and collectables; china, glass, scientific instruments, vintage radios, Treen, Daguerrotypes and antique scales; plus with industrial, pharmacy, dental and medical-related items along with antique copper and brass items. 

On the other side of this chamber Elizabeth "Betty" Stone held the space for a number of years from the mid-1990s to March 2016. She sold Royal Doulton, Beswick Animals, Stuart Crystal and Royal Albert.

In April 2014 Betty halved the space she had in Chamber 8 and Jill Kernlutt took over this space, selling English-Continental-Australia China & Porcelain Tea Sets, dinner sets, jardinières & ornaments, homewares and general bric-a-brac. She ceased trading at the Packing House in 2019.

In December 2016 The Wren Collection took up Betty's half of Chamber 8 when Betty ceased trading.

Mario Cordedda of JMC Antiques, who specialised in oriental antiques and collectables also had several cabinets within this chamber from the early 2000s through to 2019.

In November 2019 Crosby Design took on the left corner of Chamber 8 specialising in lighting design and reclaimed art. Shortly into 2020 a disagreement with management led to them departing the Packing House.

In December 2019 Fashion And Design (FAD) joined, taking the left half of Chamber 8 upon entering from Chamber 9. And after Crosby Design's departure FAD took the remaining half of Chamber 8. 

As of 2019 the chamber was held by two dealers; FAD along the chamber wall with Chamber 7 - Stewart and abeautifulthing along the chamber wall with Chamber 10 - Crofton.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

More information

Screenshot: Postcards © 2007, Nine Network

  • It had an internal phone mounted on the opening between this chamber and Chamber 7 - Stewart which could be used to contact the Front Counter.

  • The edge of the wall of this chamber near the entrance to Chamber 9 - Jonathon featured on the Nine Network tourism show “Postcards” in 2007.

External links

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 7 - Stewart

Chamber 7 - Stewart was the first larger chamber accessible from Chamber 1 - Tycos on the right of the space relative to the front entrance. It was also between Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty and Chamber 8 - Democrat, and also had natural light coming in from the emergency exit door onto Peacock Road from Chamber 4 - Newton.

A furniture dealer had this space from 1993 to 2004. 

Then in mid-July 2004 Ian Swinton of Swinton's Antiques closed his shop in Hampton Street, Hampton, and took up this chamber. <The Age, “Market for antiques fades”, July 25, 2004, via Wayback Machine>

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

More information

  • This chamber had an internal phone mounted on the opening between this chamber and Chamber 8 - Democrat which could be used to contact the Front Counter.

  • This chamber was featured on the Nine Network tourism show “Postcards” in 2007.

  • This chamber appeared on "Coxy's Big Break" - Season 7, Episode 19 - Yarra and Maribynong first broadcast: 20 June 2009 on Seven.

External links

Other obscurities

Front Counter | Front office | Lay-by room | Internal phone system | Fire and emergency systems | Power, Heating and Cooling

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty

This chamber was located between Chamber 5 - Brammely and Chamber 7 - Stewart, and was open to Chamber 1 - Tycos and Chamber 4 - Newton.

This chamber had hosted cameras; both antique and vintage along with other photographically-related materials and ephemera for the past 30 years.

From 1993 through to 2014 it was run by John Ross. 

In 2014 all the stock of the business was purchased by Andrew Fildes of Andrew’s Antipodean Photographic Emporium, and continued to operate the business there.

He took some time to renovate parts of it in 2017.

In August 2023, citing poor health in his legs Andrew Fildes, having failed to find anyone who wished to take on his business as a going concern began the process of closing down his business at Tyabb Packing House Antiques.

In November 2023 it was taken on by The Vintage Emporium, a vintage clothing dealer.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others. 

More information

  • For most of the period 1993-2010s it was the only chamber that faced Chamber 1 - Tycos to have significant amounts of cabinets on the exterior of the chamber facing Chamber 1.

  • When Andrew’s Antipodean Photographic Emporium took on this chamber the floors were repainted in 2017, changing from a mottled brown to a dark blue. This was made easier as this chamber is the only chamber at the Packing House without any of its original flooring. (Some other chambers do have patches of non-original flooring).

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 5 - Brammley

Chamber 5 - Brammley was situated between Chamber 3 - Granny Smith and Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty, whilst backing onto Chamber 4 - Newton and an entrance from Chamber 1 - Tycos.

From 1993 through to mid-2010 it was home to Ken and Mary, selling predominantly English and European Furniture.

Through the mid-2000s Jim & Joy Lippiatt had half of this chamber.

From Chamber 5 into Chamber 3 - 2012-02-24.

Through the early 2000s this space was also in part occupied by Geoff Elvin Gargenalia.

Then in 2010 Dogs Republic took on this whole chamber, selling mid-20th Century, Scandinavian and other retro designs. They remained in this space until February 2023. From February 2023 through to late 2023 this space remained unoccupied, it was utilised by other dealers as a space for their excess stock during this time. 

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

  • This chamber could be accessed from Chamber 1 - Tycos from the ‘front’, Chamber 3 - Granny Smith and Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty from the sides and Chamber 4 - Newton from the ‘back’.

  • Unlike other chambers which had carpeting or vinyl flooring added later, this chamber had always had carpet through some of the chamber.

  • Particularly noticeable in this chamber was the extensive use of spray foam insulation on the walls and the ceiling.

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 4 - Newton

Chamber 4 - Newton was something of an odd space, as it had for most of the Packing House's history not been one consistently held space.

This chamber was more of an extra wide corridor running along the Peacock Road side of the Packing House, and backing onto Chamber 3 - Granny Smith, Chamber 5 - Brammley, Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty, Chamber 7 - Stewart, and Chamber 8 - Democrat.

Very early in Tyabb Packing House Antiques' operation it was open at the end, opening into Chamber 10 - Crofton, and while it is shown like this on early maps drawn up ahead of opening, it was shortly thereafter closed off due to fire safety requirements to be able to isolate Chamber 1 - Tycos and the connected rooms from the rest of the main building, this was done with two large fire doors at Chamber 9 and Chamber 10.

From the mid-2000s until 2015 Wendy Morrison held the space along this chamber, covering the space facing Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty and Chamber 7 - Stewart (up to the emergency exit door). 

In 2015 Wendy Morrison moved to Chamber 9 - Jonathon.

Additionally in 2015 Jill Anderson moved from Chamber 9 to a portion of this chamber.

After this time the dealers in the various chambers which backed onto this space began to utilise the space as an extension of their chambers' areas.

That is until early 2023 when Unique & Antique took on the space from the Chamber 3 - Granny Smith chamber opening all the way along to the emergency exit door that opens onto Chamber 7 - Stewart.

Located at the 'front' end of Newton were the 'staff' toilets, hidden behind a door that simply said "Private". Unlike the main toilets located in Chamber 27 - Golden Delicious that were converted from a septic tank to sewer, these staff toilets still remained connected a septic tank located at the front of Packing House. It was possible to tell where the outflow for this septic tank was, as it was where the grass grew particularly well (or as when it had been mown the grass was a different density and grew back at a different rate).

Through the "Private" door held a small vestibule area and two cubicles one for men and one for women, with quite an open ceiling above, one of the few places in the Packing House where you could see the corrugated iron roof.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

  • This main switch board for the Packing House was located at one end of this chamber closest to Chamber 8 - Democrat.

  • All the plants planted along the exterior of this chamber, which provide some buffering between this chamber and Peacock Road were planted as part of the renovation in 1993.

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 3 - Granny Smith

Chamber 3 - Granny Smith was located at the corner of Chamber 1 - Tycos, access to Chamber 2 - Glenburn was through this chamber.

From 1993 to 2009 it was wholly utilised by Old As The Hills, a dealer specialising in Australian pottery, 20th Century Deco and general art. 

In 2009 Old As The Hills downsized, halving their space, which allowed John Stegg who had held Chamber 2 - Glenburn to move (and also downsize) to this space.

At the end of 2015 Old As The Hills ended their trading at the Packing House.

In February 2016 this chamber was fully renovated, being repainted in white and also being fully carpeted, Unique & Antique then moved from Chamber 2 - Glenburn into this chamber in February 2016.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 2 - Glenburn

Chamber 2 - Glenburn was the large light-filled space at the very front of the Packing House, looking out at the large expanse of grass that was located next to the car park. 

Accessed via a ramp from Chamber 3 - Granny Smith it was the only chamber in the Packing House that only had ramp access, with everywhere else having both stair and ramp access.

(Photo: 2010-08-12)

It had the unfortunate combination of very high ceilings and a concrete floor, which meant getting heating into the chamber was from the side that it shared with Chamber 3, making for a somewhat uneven heating in this chamber.

From the early 2000s it was inhabited by dealer John Stegg, until 2009 when he moved into a section of Chamber 3 - Granny Smith.

In 2007 Unique & Antique, which had been in Chamber 14 and 15 (Display and Museum) moved from those spaces into Chamber 2 - Glenburn.

That was until 2016 when dealers in the neighbouring Chamber 3 - Granny Smith ceased trading and Unique & Antique elected to take that space on.

In March 2016 Chamber 2 was re-painted for the first time since the Packing House had opened. As became the standard when re-painting the chambers a neutral white was chosen to maximise the light and neutrality within the chambers. 

Following the repainting and while a new dealer was sought this space was utilised by several dealers as a clearing space for items that they had not been able to display adequately.

In late 2016 Davenport Trading took up Chamber 2, specialising in coastal Hampton-style furniture and accessories.

After a year of trade Davenport Trading decided to move on to other retail opportunities.

WOW Memorabilia joined the Packing House taking up Chamber 2 in mid-2017, selling sports, music and movie memorabilia, coins and stamps. With the height of the Glenburn chamber offering a large amount of space to display large advertising posters, and the light-filled space offering excellent opportunity to display their wares.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

Screenshot: "Coxy's Big Break" S07E019, WTFN

  • Chamber 3 - Granny Smith led to this chamber, and at one point Chamber 4 - Newton overlooked this chamber, but has since been blocked off.

  • It had an internal phone mounted on the wall beside the ramp into this Chamber which could be used to contact the Front Counter.

  • This chamber appeared on "Coxy's Big Break" - Season 7, Episode 19 - Yarra and Maribynong first broadcast: 20 June 2009 on Seven.

Other obscurities

Front Counter | Front office | Lay-by room | Internal phone system | Fire and emergency systems | Power, Heating and Cooling

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Gareth M. Gareth M.

Chamber 1 - Tycos

Chamber 1 - Tycos, often not referred to by either of these names, it was the largest chamber, and the space with the highest ceiling at Tyabb Packing House Antiques.

It was often referred to simply as the "main chamber", because it was the largest and also the first chamber that a lot of people saw as they came into the building.

Before the Packing House had been renovated it was in this large space where a hardware shop operated from, and before that it had held the apple sorting area for the cool store.

From 1993-2023 the centre of Chamber 1 - Tycos held Antique Bed Specialists in the middle of this chamber.

Through from 1993 and early into the Packing House's operation it was discovered that while the roof appeared to be weather sealed, there were still small holes that while they didn't allow (much if any) rain into the building did seem to allow a build up of dust and dirt to come down onto the beds being presented for sale. 

At first Antique Bed Specialists put up extra large umbrella-type canopies to protect some of the beds, but as the 1990s progressed the problem didn't improve, and was especially with the white sheets set on the beds to show of their size and scale further highlighting the dust and dirt dislodged from weather along with the age of the building. Therefore an agreement in March 1998 between the owners of the Packing House and the owners of Antique Bed Specialists to jointly pay 50% each to install a plastic canopy roof below the ceiling of the main chamber. This second ceiling also helped to contain the heat in such a large space. 

Along the east side of the building (or the left upon entering the main chamber; the wall against the car park) the first half of the chamber was Sheila Martland's space. Containing linen, lace and other such materials, bounded by some large cabinets to close this space off from the walk way.

She had this space from 1993 through to September 2019, after over 25 years within that space she decided to pull back from her expansive amount of space to Chamber 9 - Jonathon (located behind the front counter office). 

J. Edwards Jewellery took on all of this space in September 2019.

Along the next section of wall ahead of Sheila Martland's section was another space utilised by a few dealers throughout the years. Initially it was held by Faye White. Then it was notably the east wall that was painted a deep blue and was held until 2011 by Doreen Page, an antiques and small items dealer.

For a short time during 2011 it was utilised by Antique Bed Specialists for the sale of their furniture until the next dealer took on the space. 

In late 2011 a new dealer to the Tycos main chamber took over this blue-walled space, repainting it and making it their own. This was White Out Of The Box, this was also one of the first dealer to join the Packing House that was not selling antiques or old wares, but instead 'vintage-inspired' curated items to compliment antiques and old wares.

J. Edwards Jewellery had also been a mainstay of the main chamber for more than 2 decades from the late 1990s through to the present day. Originally it was located at a jewellery counter beside the front counter facing into Chamber 1, sharing a rear wall with the front office and Chamber 9 - Jonathon.

On west side of the chamber, just to the left of the entrance to Chamber 7 - Stewart held a cabinet that held Tyabb Clocks, a dealer who both sold and serviced clocks. Following the tumultuous events of the COVID pandemic the dealer who owned Tyabb Clocks decided to close.

And in the far right corner of Chamber 1 was Vintage Apple, who sold vintage inspired decorative fashion and specialist designer children's items, and sweets. They began in 2007 and were incorporated into Antique Bed Specialists' central area in September 2019.

Interiors of Melbourne, an upholsterer took on this space in September 2019. 

At the end of Chamber 1 - Tycos was a very wide space with the most windows and wide space at Tyabb Packing House Antiques. 

From 1993 through to 2013 Country Bumpkin held a space here for antiques, collectables and Americana.

From 2013 to 2019 Industria operated from this space. Industria had been an early dealer at Tyabb Packing House when it first opened, originally trading from Chamber 14 and Chamber 15 (Display and Museum) before leaving to trade away from the Packing House, opening a store on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

Industria ceased trading at the Packing House in 2019. 

After 2019 this space was emptied and then utilised by several dealers including Dogs Republic (who were in the nearby Chamber 5 - Brammely) and Sheila Martland.

In 2021 Antique Bed Specialists took on half this front space in order to expand and display several items of furniture and other unique items like a weaving loom.

In 2022 Unique & Antique expanded from Chamber 3 - Granny Smith taking half of this end space.

In September 2023, Antique Bed Specialists ceased trading at Tyabb Packing House Antiques, and the space they had held was taken on by White Out Of The Box, expanding their available space into the central area of Chamber 1.

Note: Images have dates written in YEAR-MONTH-DAY format, as there is a mix of mediums of images with some having more exact dates than others.

More information

  • The Front Counter and front office, are both located off to the side of Chamber 1 - Tycos.

  • Chambers that have openings into Chamber 1: Chamber 3 - Granny Smith, Chamber 5 - Brammely, Chamber 6 - Rome Beauty, Chamber 7 - Stewart, Chamber 9 - Jonathon.

  • This chamber featured in an episode of “The Great Outdoors” in 2003, with Ernie Dingo walking around the Packing House.

  • In 2005 Visit Victoria produced TV shows, one of which featured the Packing House, including an interview with Sheila Martland conducted in this chamber.

  • Several angles of this chamber was featured on the Nine Network tourism show “Postcards” in 2007, including some with infographics around the footage.

  • Two angles of this chamber appeared on "Coxy's Big Break" - Season 7, Episode 19 - Yarra and Maribynong first broadcast: 20 June 2009 on Seven.

External links

Other obscurities

Front Counter | Front office | Lay-by room | Internal phone system | Fire and emergency systems | Power, Heating and Cooling

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