From Paralympian champion to Harry Potter nerd
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Michael Milton is well known as the most successful Australian Paralympic athlete ever in the Winter Olympic Games.
But it is another passion that has him back in the spotlight as the owner of Canberra’s brand new Harry Potter-themed store, Quizzic Alley.
Alongside his wife Penni—and with a little help from family and friends—Michael has spent the past eight weeks transforming a building in Fyshwick into Harry Potter heaven.
Michael’s fantasy obsession started early in life and continued throughout his career as a professional athlete.
“Because I had bone cancer at age nine I don’t remember my childhood very well,” he explains. “But one of my earliest memories is during my cancer treatment being wheeled in a wheelchair into The Empire Strikes Back in a cinema in George Street while I was being treated at Randwick.
“When I got started on Harry Potter a bit later I was a pretty committed fan, buying the book the day it cames out and blocking off 24 hours to just read it straight through.”
Like any true Potterhead, he even made sure his children had read the books before seeing the movies.
“I read the first three books to them at night and ignited that passion little bit, and then I let them read them themselves and then they could watch the movies. I love the ethos of the books.
“It’s an amazing piece of work by JK Rowling in that she’s been able to capture people’s imagination for so long, and we strongly believe that it will continue to do so.”
Unsurprisingly, for a successful athlete and businessperson, he’s a bit of a Gryffindor himself.
“I certainly identify with some of the Gryffindor ethos in terms of courage, honesty and from my sporting career. I’d like to think that’s where the sorting hat would have put me.”
Quizzic Alley also grew out of a family tradition of retail and a desire to build an independent career he could be passionate about.
“My mum had a ski shop, and even my grandmother had a homewares shop in the ‘60s, so there’s probably that kind of small business blood in my family.
“I see a store like this as being something that will be fun, that will let me be my own boss. We hope to create an amazing world for people to come and experience.”
When it comes to the products, Michael and Penni have sourced lollies, board games, jewellery, clothing and other licensed merch from all over Australia and around the world.
“We want to do a lot of the rarer stuff, not just the straightforward Harry Potter glasses and wand.
“Everybody has their favourite little thing, so we want can cater to the committed and passionate fans through to the younger audience.”
the essentials
What: Quizzic Alley
Where: 5 Pirie Street, Fyshwick
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday from Thursday September 13
Web: www.quizzicalley.com
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