There’s a new community run market in Coombs – and it’s on this weekend

Posted on 29 April, 2025

A new community-run market in Coombs is helping to change the stigma around menstruation, one sale at a time.

Founded by the Canberra Circle of Women (the same team behind the Pearce Crafters Market) providing education and supplies to women who are currently living in poverty in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines is also at the top of the agenda for the Vibe Coombs Market. And like it’s sister in Pearce, they’ll be offering unique handmade items from the best creatives in Canberra.

Founded by Carol Mead, the Canberra Circle of Women intends to implement the Coombs Vibe Market four times a year, with the first one commencing on Sunday 4 May. Located at the Coombs Community Centre, the aim is to bring a new market to this area, and give the surrounding areas of Stromlo and Weston Creek something that the whole family can engage in.

“Forming the Vibe Coombs Market was a way of increasing our reach, as well as providing a market opportunity for Coombs and the Stromlo area, because they don’t have anything like this available to them. It’s really a new market in town, and it will not only give Coombs, Stromlo and the surrounding area a fantastic market, it will also help people understand what we do in both our community and globally,” says Carol.

“It is inside, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. And it is going to be kid centric as well, so we’re going to have lots of stalls where the kids can buy a Mother’s Day present and there will befantastic opportunities to buy kids clothing and kids toys.”

“We also have lots of great craft, art work and stalls that that would suit everybody.”

Much like the Crafters Markets at Pearce, 100 per cent of everything made goes towards women in need through Days for Girls, a not-for-profit organisation shattering the stigma of menstruation. Based solely on the work of volunteers, with the support of the community, Carol’s team alone has been able to send over 11,500 care packs and provide education to young women, with the hopes to increase this through the Coombs market.

“A lot of girls now can get an education and stay in school, and they have the ability to go no matter what time of month it is. That’s that is a big key for us,” explains Carol.

“We have a stall at the market where you can talk to the volunteers, and they will happily give you information. We’re always looking for donations of goods and fabric, and we also love our volunteers, so we’re always happy for other people to come on board.”

Along with attending this amazing new market, making a purchase is not the only way you can help  the cause.

“We have volunteer groups, run sewing circles, knitting circles, packing days, and people can help out in the office. We also have volunteers that help us at the market,” says Carol.

“We want to make this something that people can be involved in at whatever level they want to be, because we never want that this to be something that they feel they have to do. We work very much on, ‘Do what you can, when you can’.”

“We’re grateful for everything. We’re really very happy to work within what people can offer if they want to be involved in our in our campaigns, they’re welcome to do that, and that’s always on our Facebook page.”

Ensuing you give their Facebook page a follow is the best way to find out about market dates and to see how you can get involved. Otherwise, you can visit them at the Pearce Community Centre.

Be sure to mark down Sunday 4 May for the first Coombs Vibe Market to help bring Carols hopes of it “going off with a bang” come true, and to be a part of “fantastic fun”.

For more information, email canberracircleofwomen@gmail.com or call 51542269.