Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
“New.” “Fun.” “Interesting.” “We’ve needed something like this for years.” All high praise for the latest attraction to grace Tamborine Mountain. Ebony Peters is the creator of the new Twilight Market, currently held in the grassy open lot on Gallery Walk. But what is the market, and what does it offer to the community? Ebony tells all.
by Kyle Hitchmough
What was your inspiration behind opening the Twilight Market?
Basically, I wanted something to do on a Saturday night. I grew up in this town, and I feel like it takes a town to raise a child, so I wanted to give back to the community and create a space for local makers to be able to showcase their products and not compete with the imported plastics. And also, to have something to do in the evening at such a wonderful time of night.
How long has the market been running?
Council approved us to have two per calendar month and we will do so and continue to hold these markets every second Saturday between 4:30 and 8:30 in the evening.
You’re not only the creator, but you’re a stallholder here too. What do you do?
I create handmade products and they’re all plastic-free, upcycled products. I make everlasting daisy crowns, preserved, not dried, so they have a shelf life of about 10 to 15 years if you look after them. I also have hand water-coloured pieces of artwork. I make mermaid spoons and wax wraps as well. Anything I can do to keep the environment in mind. I thought there might be other people that do the same, and found all the stallholders here in the process.
What was the process like for you setting this up?
There have been a few setbacks, but from the initial contact I made with the council it was a very quick process, and I think it was quick because I did respect the store holders within Gallery Walk to ensure that I wasn’t operating at the same time as them, and taking business away from them.
How did you find the stallholders to work at the market?
For the last six months I’ve been doing market stalls as far north as Manly and as far south as Elanora. Every time I would go, I’d meet someone that was like-minded, that has the handmade products similar to what I create. I think I’ve just been gathering people along my travels.
You have quite a few live musicians here— including one who’s only in eighth grade. How did you find them to perform?
To begin with, I was asking around as I’ve been living on the mountain for over 30 years but I really wanted to showcase some students. I contacted the high school and anyone confident enough to come and set up at the live mic here can. It really gives people an opportunity to put themselves out there.
Did you have any particular audience in mind for the market when setting it up?
I had the entire community in mind. I was hoping to create a space for children to enjoy and have a bit of everything, make sure there’s a live music element, and ensure there’s a variety of customers. The first market I held a guy came from Broadbeach. He found out about it through social media. The majority of the marketing I’ve done is through social media, and I’ll continue to do that until I have the funds for flyers and banners and all of the extra bits and pieces that go along with it.
Do you have any particular hopes for the future of the market?
I have had quite a few properties approach me, and I‘m really excited to be able to choose where to go next. I would love to be able to go and set up at TMSA, their committee is interested. In the meantime, until we get too big for this spot, we will come here and share this space and create this bit of magic.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
I have such an open heart for this place and the people in it. I have always loved it up here. I call it the island in the clouds. I was looking at going to Byron Bay to their twilight market on a Saturday night, which is really where this all sparked from. When I was applying for my application in Byron, it said that I had to be local. I thought, “Where am I local to? Here! Why can’t I see if I can create something like that here?”
What’s your favourite thing to do on the mountain?
It would definitely be to check out a few of the hidden waterfalls. There’s a few that people don’t know about that are tucked away like little hidden treasures. But I still love to go to the classic Tamborine Curtis Falls and Cedar Creek. I love supporting the local businesses as well, going and having the cheese platters and doing my own little wine tour at each of the wineries. I love just being able to go around and show my friends and family Gallery Walk. That’s what I really love.
What do you think the Twilight Market really provides to the area?
I think it provides a point of difference, and it also creates this excitement which I find most markets do, to be able to explore and find something unique is what I hope to create here. This is the space where people are drawn to discover what’s happening, what they’re selling, what stalls will they have this time? It creates that mystery and excitement for the town.
What do you enjoy most about being here?
I enjoy the people I meet, those moments where I have a one-minute conversation with someone and create those friendships. That’s why I do it.
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