Trash and Treasure sales organised by Arrowtown Plunket are vital for families in a community where the cost of living is high and for keeping the support service in the village, bargain hunters and committee members say.
It was survival of the fastest when hundreds of mothers and the occasional father browsed and bought pre-loved bargains for their pre-school children in the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall on Saturday.
Earlybird parents with babes in arms, prams and backpacks queued around the hall before the 10am opening for the sale which has operated for more than four years.
Queenstown mother Katy Baxter said she was looking for "toys and things we wouldn't want to pay full price" for 6-month-old Ruby.
Mother-of-two Christine Gilbert, of Queenstown, was hunting for a snowsuit for 9-month-old Neve and said the stalls were "awesome for new mums, but too small a venue. It needs a place a little bit bigger".
Suzie Blackstock, of Lake Hayes Estate, was minding one of the clothes stalls for a friend and said the morning had been "really busy".
"I've been here before on the other side of the table and I think it's amazing, especially for mums just about to have a baby.
"Now Babycity in Remarkables Park is shut down, there's nowhere to buy highchairs and cots."
Arrowtown Plunket president Mel Greenfield said items on sale were in good condition and many were not otherwise available in the Wakatipu.
More than $600 was raised from the 25 stallholders who paid $25 each and from gold-coin donations for entry. Funds will be used to keep the Plunket rooms operating, Mrs Greenfield said.
