This is the final post on Victraders. The editor is retiring from the Queen Victoria Market. Here is his retirement letter. 8/3/2020
Dear Queen
Vic,
This is one of the hardest letters I
have ever had to write and I want you to know in advance – this is not your fault.
After 40 years I have decided to end
our relationship and move on to other things. It is not the difficult business
conditions, the gaps in our stalls, the extremes in weather, the endless “will
you be here tomorrow” or “Can I have your business card” or even “I just love
your stuff but I don’t have room in my suitcase.”
It is not the endless complaints from Traders, the neighbours
who go over the line, or even having to get up at
5am after a Night Market.
In fact QVM has provided me a livelihood for 40 years that
has allowed me to put two children through university, pay off a mortgage, and
even engage in some hobbies that are pure indulgence (and completely legal). You’ve
got to love all that.
And I have enjoyed the most wonderful social interactions
with an incredible variety of people – Traders, customers, management, support
staff, and the list goes on. My special adviser, Ivano Guseli who outdoes any
Trader for professional well researched solutions - sports tipster and general
stirrer, Guru Pete, who entertains us all and adds a certain cohesiveness to daily market life - my sternest supporter and critic,
Lana - Peter & Russell who probably have the hardest jobs in the market
- Stan Liacos who already has a
remarkable list of achievements - and
the Committee of Trustees led by Sally Capp. There have been so many associates,
friends, confidants, advisers, passionate believers, and jokers – all wonderful
personalities that have made life at QVM rich and satisfying.
And it is here that I am tempted to start listing all those very
worthy people, but the list is just too long. You know who you are.
It is said that you don’t own a stall at QVM. You simply look
after it until the next Trader comes along and puts their stamp on the place. In the next week or two my wife and I will retire from the market
and enter a new phase in life. It is time to hand over to a new breed of market
trader. Retailing in the future will be quite different and incredibly
demanding.
Goodbye Queen Vic, and thank you. We sincerely wish you and
all your participants every success in the future.
Greg &
Sue Smith
Queen
Victoria Market Traders (Rtd.)