The Tasmanian Craft Fair, held annually in Deloraine, has become one of Australia’s premier craft events. Organised by the Rotary Club of Deloraine since 1981, this vibrant festival offers visitors the opportunity to explore a wide range of artisanal creations and meet the talented individuals behind them. Michael Plunkett, a Rotarian and the director of the Tasmanian Craft Fair, recently shared some insights into what makes this event so special.
“The Tasmanian Craft Fair has been delivered by the Rotary Club of Deloraine for over 40 years,” Plunkett explains. “It started its life as an opportunity to provide an outlet for craftsmen, craftswomen, artisans, that sort of thing, to get their products to market. And it’s grown over that time into being certainly one of the largest, if not the largest, craft fair in Australia.”
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With more than 220 exhibitors spread across four venues, visitors are treated to a diverse selection of handmade goods, including timberwork, pottery, textiles, traditional painting, and more. Plunkett highlights the significance of Venue 1A: “That’s where we have exhibitors who make some really high-end stuff. And we’re talking about a range of arts and crafts… It’s really good in that respect.”
The fair has not only grown in size but also in its economic impact. “The town is always buzzing when the craft fair is on,” says Plunkett. “We get over 10,000 people to come to the craft fair, and the craft fair itself is an opportunity for people to do their Christmas shopping, to come and see some really high-quality products.”
“The government did an economic impact study of last year’s craft fair. Over the four days as it was last year, it had an impact of between one and a half and two million dollars. It attracted people from interstate.”
This year, visitors can look forward to special appearances, including ABC’s Hannah Moloney, who will be presenting on permaculture. “It’s another craft,” Plunkett notes. In addition, the featured artist, Matthew Sloane of Sloane Sculpture, will showcase his unique sculptures made from second-hand metal.
A key aspect of the Tasmanian Craft Fair is its strong local presence. “70 percent of our exhibitors come from Tasmania,” Plunkett says. “The other 30 percent come from the mainland, predominantly Victoria and New South Wales.” The fair will also feature “some local Indigenous artists coming along as emerging artists.”
Reflecting on the event’s history, Plunkett recalls its humble beginnings: “It was the idea of a couple of Rotarians at the time. Deloraine has a very strong artist community, [and] art and craft community… it only started in one venue back then.”
The Tasmanian Craft Fair has evolved into much more than an exhibition of crafts. “Over the life of the craft fair, the money that people pay to get in doesn’t all go to the Rotary Club. It gets filtered through the community,” says Plunkett. “The local town, the Meander River, the parkways, the paths, the parklands, the two bridges that are there… they’ve all been put together and supported by the Rotary Club as a result of the craft fair.”
“Conservatively, something like three or four million dollars has been pumped back into the community directly by the craft fair.”
The future looks bright for the Tasmanian Craft Fair, with a five-year strategic plan in place and strong support from the Tasmanian Government and the local community. “We want it to be an iconic experience. We want people to enjoy themselves when they come out,” Plunkett emphasises.
As for the personal reward of directing such a significant event, Plunkett says, “I get a buzz when people enjoy themselves. We try and have stuff that families can enjoy, kids can enjoy, and I get a buzz out of seeing the food courts full of people enjoying the Tassie food. It’s important to the community.”
The Tasmanian Craft Fair, running this year from Friday to Sunday, promises to be another exciting chapter in the long history of a beloved local event. With a wide array of exhibitors, hands-on activities for children, and a community-focused atmosphere, it’s no wonder people come from near and far to experience this celebration of craftsmanship and creativity.
