Imagine pulling into your local community radio station’s carpark and finding a busy secondhand market. There’s broadcasters selling donated treasures, the station’s merchandise being sold and listeners chatting amid stalls of pre‑loved goods.

This is exactly how 3CR in Melbourne transformed its parking lot into a successful Garage Sale Trail event last November, drawing crowds and funding for its operations.

What is the Garage Sale Trail?

Taking place over two weekends this November (8–9 & 15–16), Garage Sale Trail is Australia’s largest community-powered sustainability event. It’s an invitation for community groups and individuals to host garage sales, list them on the Trail’s national sales map and benefit from coordinated promotional support. Last year, 300,000 Australians took part in over 15,000 sales and diverted more than 700,000 items from landfill.

How 3CR Did It (And How You Can, Too)

3CR turned its carpark into a thriving Garage Sale Trail location -drawing crowds, raising money and even offering station tours for interested listeners. Organiser John reported they intend to hold another sale this year, with a renewed focus on plant sales to tie into their gardening program.

“Garage Sale Trail is all about communities coming together to reuse, raise funds and share stories. Community radio stations are such a natural fit – they connect people locally every day,” said Barbara Gill, General Manager of Garage Sale Trail.

“By hosting a garage sale or market, stations can engage their listeners face-to-face and raise valuable funds. It’s a chance to turn the spirit of radio into something you can see, touch and take home.”

Getting involved is simple. Stations can register for free on the Garage Sale Trail website and receive a complete promotional toolkit – signage, posters, social media assets – as well as a listing on the national sales map.

Ahead of the event, stations can promote the sale on-air and invite listeners to donate items, set up a stall, or simply come along to browse. On the day, broadcast live, share stories behind standout items and post real-time updates across social media to build buzz and draw in crowds.

Afterwards, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate your impact by reporting on the funds raised, items rehomed, and connections made.

And the benefits don’t stop there. A successful sale can spark new partnerships, grow your local audience and build momentum for future community-led initiatives.

This year’s Garage Sale Trail also ties neatly into the CBAA Conference‘s themes of reducing, recycling, and sustainability. With environmental advocate Craig Reucassel delivering the keynote, there’s no better moment to spotlight what community radio can do for the planet.

Ready to Join the Trail?

Register now at www.garagesaletrail.com.au

Or get in touch with the team at [email protected]

Meg Butler

3CR have also welcomed Meg Butler as their new station manager. Meg has been with 3CR for more than two decades and will lead the station toward 50th anniversary celebrations next year.