A TARPEENA tradition looks set to end next month as Libby and John Eykelenburg plan to retire, ending their family market day.
A mixture of age and health reasons have forced the Eykelenburgs to make the difficult decision, bringing to an end the free market which was first held in 2013 and has been a regular fixture on the first Sunday of each month since.
While saddened by the decision, the couple hope the September 8 event will end on a high note as they aim to hit $20,000 raised for Ronald McDonald House Adelaide.
Since 2008 the Eykelenburgs have raised almost $19,000 through their involvement in markets and Libby would love nothing more than to see the last market surpass the milestone.
“We started off raising money for the Royal Flying Doctors,” Libby said.
“But what we really wanted to do was focus on a charity for children.”
Libby had the idea for the markets and John is an avid model train builder, so they combined the two to raise money for charity.
After receiving lukewarm responses to the idea from some charitable organisations, John – sensing Libby’s despondency – took her out to eat at a McDonald’s.
“It was so odd because we hardly ever ate at McDonald’s, but I looked down and saw a Ronnie Mac donation box and I thought, ‘of course, that’s it!’,” she said.
John and Libby’s fundraising efforts has seen them featured in the Ronald McDonald House newsletter and they frequently visit staff and patients.
“They’re just so brave, those kids – I think we could all learn something from them.”
Other charities that John and Libby have raised money for include the Tarpeena Cancer Support Group ($412), the South East Animal Welfare League ($125) and the Tarpeena CFS ($124), with these figures expected to climb when the Eykelenburgs release the final figures after the last market day.
The market will end in September as that is when the Eykelenburgs’ insurance contract runs out, but Libby is planning on having an early Christmas treasure hunt for children on the last market day.
“In the past, children have just loved it, they have to collect the stamps from the stalls and then they get a gift at the end.
“It’s completely free for anyone who wants to join in,” she said.
Libby said her work with the markets was “a labour of love”, adding she would miss the camaraderie that came with the event.
“We have made some lifelong friends and we have met some wonderful people over the years,” she said.
One of those dear friends is Michelle Berlin who oversees the canteen.
Her husband Rob first leased the Tarpeena Memorial Hall to the Eykelenburgs, supported by Grant District Council.
Ms Berlin said many Tarpeena Primary School students had learnt about food preparation by working at the canteen.
Her son Caleb was also the station master for many years, making sure model trains did not come off the tracks and ran on time.
John and Libby will continue to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Adelaide, with Libby still planning to be involved in the Kalangadoo markets and John creating model trains for raffles, auctions, or even individual buyers.
“We’re planning on going out with a bang,” Libby said.
There will be fresh produce, crafts, a barbecue, hot food served at the canteen and John’s model trains on display.
