Almost 20 exhibitors had their wares for sale at the event, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Dubbo.

Fair coordinator Carla Pittman said there was quite a variety on offer, including new stallholders who had never attended before.

“There’s definitely something for everyone and a few random items where you have to ask them ‘what is this exactly?’ That always adds to the effect,” Ms Pittman said.

“There was a miner’s couch I would love to have room for. Another favourite was the little blackbird you put into pies when you cook them.”

Ms Pittman said there were plenty of items going out the door, and a steady number of people looking at what was on offer, but she had noticed changes in what collectors had been looking for this year.

“Talking to some of the dealers there’s been more of a trend for antiques people can use. A lot of our generation are moving towards buying things they’re not going to just sit and look at, they want to be able to use it because that’s what their grandmother might have done,” she said.

There were slightly less exhibitors who were able to take part in the Dubbo Antiques and Collectables Fair compared to previous events.

Ms Pittman said it was a sign of the times. Exhibitors travelled from areas like South Australia and Victoria but the rising cost of fuel was hitting hard, she said.

“It’s getting harder to get people to travel a long way but the ones who do come always say ‘yep, we’ll come back again’ so it’s obviously worth their while,” she said.

Stephen and Margaret Illman travelled from Adelaide with their Mostly Glass Antiques.

The husband and wife duo said they had been collecting glass antiques for about 30 years and selling them at fairs for the past 15.

As the name suggests, the Illmans sold mostly glass items, however their wares also extended to china and jewellery. They had both loved collecting the antique items, Ms Illman said.

All money spent on entry to the fair at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre would be used by the Dubbo Rotary Club to support local causes, Ms Pittman said.

At this stage there was no specific project the money would go towards, the fair coordinator said.