Dilys discovers a downsizing secret

Dilys and Tony’s stall is part of the “Perfectly Imperfect Collective”, a retail space that offers artisan handmade items and vintage treasures, which usually operates from Thursdays to Sundays, 9am to 12.30pm.

Dilys and Tony’s stall is one of many, providing a core attraction for locals and visitors to the Childers region, which is about 300 kilometres north of Brisbane.

For Dilys, the stall offers a perfect, practical answer to the dilemma she and her husband faced as they transitioned from a larger home.

Like many seniors, the couple accumulated many things they cherish but no longer needed, and the thought of simply discarding them was difficult.

“We don't just want them to end up in landfill,” she said, highlighting the emotional attachment and the desire for a sustainable solution.

The second-hand stall transforms the chore of decluttering into a meaningful exchange, ensuring that their beloved possessions find a new life and are cherished by other people.

Asked if she would encourage others to follow her path, Dilys gave an enthusiastic “yes”.

Rather than viewing downsizing as a loss of possessions, Dilys encourages seniors to see it as an opportunity to pass on cherished items in a purposeful way that contributes to the community.

Engaging in an activity like a market stall offers social connection, a sense of purpose, and an effective, rewarding mechanism for managing the transition by emptying the family home.

By turning their surplus into a force for good, Dilys and Tony have created what might otherwise be a chore into a positive chapter for themselves and for the future of the Paragon Theatre.