My Bag:
Mel Campbell

About me:
I grew up in a small town in country Victoria, moved to the big smoke (Melbourne) for a few years and then came up to Townsville briefly back in the late 80s. I fell in love with the place (and met my future husband) and moved here 20 years ago. So I can now officially call myself a ‘local’. In between op shopping, I work at the Mater Hospital emergency department and look forward to road tripping around Australia permanently visiting wineries and op shops! A health scare a couple of years ago motivated me to do this trip sooner rather than later and not wait till the ripe old age of retirement.

MY BAG A Fossil bag I bought in a fabulous vintage store in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy called Lost & Found. An amazing huge warehouse style store which you could spend a whole day in. I love the bag because it goes with everything and the leather is so soft and buttery.

USAMA SPICE SOAP BAR This is a constantly changing item if it’s not this one it’s another piece of soap. It keeps my bag nice and fresh and comes in handy on Sunday drives when picnicking at obscure spots.

SALVADOR DALI LAGUNA PERFUME I first saw this in Harrods in London in 1993 and fell in love with it. The bottle is beautiful too and I still buy it to this day.

OROTON GLOMESH CIGARETTE CASE I don’t smoke but this case is a handy size to fit lipstick, cards etc… I saw it in an op shop, and just had to have it as it has the letter ‘M’ on it.

RICHMOND BADGE I carry this around after my beloved Tigers won the AFL premiership last year.

EDGAR DEGAS GLASSES CASE Bought from the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria). I go there on most visits back to Melbourne. Great spot for interesting exhibits and people watching!

MADE SEWING KIT A gift from an old friend. You never know when you’re going to need spare button or a hem fixed.

VINTAGE PURSE Full of op shop and coffee loyalty cards! Friends and family know my most favourite pastime in the world is op shopping! And as I spend hours in op shops I need regular coffee breaks.

MIDGET DICTIONARY From a Brisbane op shop, published in 1964, has lots of interesting words in it.

BELLABEAT ACTIVITY TRACKER I like to keep track of how many steps I (haven’t) done during the day.

MONA KEEP CUP From MONA gallery in Tasmania, one of my favourite places, I’ve been there a few times and love it! Full of weird and wacky art.

CRABTREE & EVELYN HAND CREAM What can I say! Smells and feels beautiful.

A SMALL PHOTO ALBUM Photographs of my three children when they were little. They’re all grown up now and two have moved interstate, sad but at the same time a good excuse for a quick trip down south.

TOWNSVILLE CINEMA GROUP MEMBERSHIP CARD My husband and I joined the group last year and go along most fortnights to the screenings of some interesting movies from all over the world.

A SMALL HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARD From my husband. What a sweetie.