THE Trap Collectors Association of Australia (TCAA) gathered last weekend in Nyah for their much-anticipated annual auction.
More than 500 traps, ranging from Australian-made artifacts to beginner pieces were on offer, with top items fetching over $3000.
The event ran for two days, drawing around 50 members from three states.
TCAA president Austin Carlon said the event was a major highlight for collectors across the region.
“It was great to see the high quality of traps and that members from different states made the long drive for this social weekend,” he said.
“We had new faces among the regulars, and there was something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a long-term collector.”
While the auction is a chance for members to expand their collections, it’s also a significant event for the local community.
“This meet is not only a great social event for our members and a chance to add to their collections, but it also helps out local businesses, as many stay for a few nights and put back into the towns,” Mr Carlon said.
TCAA was formed in the early 2000s and now boasts around 100 members from across Australia, passionate about preserving rural history and the craft of trapping.
For longtime Nyah West resident and this year’s auctioneer, Gordon Borchard, the club is about something deeper.
“It’s for people that are interested in collecting traps and preserving the history of trapping,” he said.
“Which was obviously very important for rabbit control, and through the Depression.
“It’s what fed a lot of families and kept them going through that time.”
For both Mr Carlon and Mr Borchard, collecting isn’t just a pastime — it’s personal.
“I started collecting many years ago after seeing some old traps on a property I visited,” Mr Carlon said.
“Which brought back memories of when I used to use them as a kid.
“I bought a couple for memory’s sake, and that kick-started my addiction.”
“I also grew up with it,” Mr Borchard said.
“My family had traps during the early years, and trapped through the hard times.
“I took up more of an interest as I got a bit older.”
There’s a unique culture within the TCAA, from “bragging rights” after a successful auction to friendly debates over the best finds.
“Most traps originally used in Australia are preferred over foreign ones by a lot of people, he said.
“Some prefer rabbit traps, others favour the rarer dingo traps.
“The history and the thrill of the chase are all part of it.”
Mr Borchard emphasised the club’s focus is on preserving artifacts, not perpetuating animal trapping.
“They’re not being traded to be used,” he said.
“They’re going to collectors, and that’s a point of difference.”
Mr Carlon echoed the sentiment.
“Our club is about preserving the history of traps in our country, just like any other collectable,” he said.
Each year, TCAA holds a mid-year “buy, swap, and sell” meet, hosted in a different location to allow members to experience different places, with the main auction held annually in October.
The last two auctions have been in Nyah, chosen for its central location for members from several states.
Mr Carlon and Mr Borchard both agreed collecting wasn’t limited to just one group, and welcomed all backgrounds and ages.
“All sorts of people are interested,” Mr Borchard said.
“There are people that live in town, and all sorts of interstate members, quite a few have grown up with a country lifestyle and have a rural farming background.
“And there are others that just have an interest in the history.”
Mr Carlon encouraged the younger generation to get involved.
“There are some newer generations of collectors, but not as many as we’d like, we always encourage younger members to keep the hobby alive,” he said.
Mr Borchard said that for many, the event felt more like a reunion than a marketplace.
“The social side of it’s just as important as the rest of it,” he said.
“You’re meeting with like-minded people you’ve known for a long time, and you get to keep catching up with them annually from all over the country.”
To learn more about the TCAA or to join, visit their Facebook page.
