Walking into Don and Jenny Massey’s house would surely be every child’s dream. Every nook and cranny holds toy treasures of times gone by.
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The couple began collecting vintage toys thirty years ago. It was all started by one teddy bear and went from there.
“We bought the teddy bear and we then got an interest in toys,” Mrs Massey said.
The toys date from as far back as 1820, come from around the globe and show not only the change in toy styles, but the change in society.
Many of the toys are a snapshot of life; a miniature hills hoist, toy singer sewing machines, soldiers, victa mowers and washing machines.
“It is more that’s what their lives was,” Mrs Massey said.
She adds that the vintage toys encourage imagination and play.
“Like that puffing train, it doesn't do anything – it makes a noise – but you’ve got to use your brain to use it, not put a battery in and sit and watch it,” she said.
Mr and Mrs Massey have also noticed the changes in the manufacture of toys over the decades.
“The difference now, they’re bringing them out in a cheaper version but the toys are not automated like this, they’re not wind up. The metal toys just don't exist now unless they're of a cheap quality,” Mrs Massey said.
The joy for Mr and Mrs Massey is in the journey of discovery. They get a thrill from the moment they walk into an auction house or an antique shop and spot a special find, determining they must have it.
“Our pleasure was going to find it,” Mrs Massey said.
“We just love it, it gives you a purpose to go places to try to find that exclusive toy that you haven’t got.”
We just love it, it gives you a purpose to go places to try to find that exclusive toy that you haven’t got.
- Jenny Massey
Their love of antiquated and unique toys has taken them around Australia, in search of the special find that other eyes have passed over.
“Finding value in something that someone else doesn’t want,” Mr Massey said.
“We've been to Melbourne, Sydney just to find it at auctions or go round to antique shops,” Mrs Massey said.
Walking into their back room is like walking into a shrine to childhood nostalgia, with so many quirky and interesting toy pieces the eye doesn’t know where to land.
Mr Massey said they are now sometimes given toys by people who know of their interest.
“We get a lot of kick in going through books and finding, ‘Oh we’ve got that’,” he said.
Their collection is not for anyone but themselves.
“Just the pleasure of coming and looking at it ,” Mrs Massey said.
Rediscovering the delight of childhood is easy to do when poking around the playful creations of the decades at the Massey’s.