Meet Our Members: Barbara, Managing Director at Garage Sale Trail
Introduction
From Op Shops to National Impact: Barbara’s Secondhand Story. This month’s #MeetOurMembers spotlight is on Barbara, Managing Director at Garage Sale Trail, a movement making secondhand shopping fun, social, and sustainable.
There’s something magic about giving things a second life — and for Barbara, it’s not just a hobby, it’s a mission. As Managing Director of Garage Sale Trail, she’s helping people across Australia declutter, connect, and do right by the planet in the process.
Garage Sale Trail is a national not-for-profit built on a simple idea: that buying and selling secondhand should be easy, social, and fun. Under Barbara’s leadership, the organisation has grown into what’s now affectionately known as 'Australia’s biggest secondhand treasure hunt.'
Every year, around 3 million pre-loved items are 'liberated' from garages, sheds, and cupboards around the country. These once-forgotten items get a second chance — helping divert significant waste from landfill in the process. “We want to make doing the right thing by the planet simple, social and fun.”
The initiative is supported by over 80 local councils across Australia and driven by a tight-knit, passionate team — Merlina, Liz, Nat, and Andrew — who help bring the mission to life every day.
Barbara’s journey to this role began far from the sun-soaked streets of Sydney. In London, she built her expertise in partnerships and project management, including a standout role with Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics.
When she later relocated to Sydney, she brought that sharp strategic lens into the not-for-profit and creative sectors. At Garage Sale Trail, her professional experience and personal passion found perfect alignment. That passion? It started young. Barbara credits her love of secondhand to her mum, who ran an op shop in London during the 90s.
“I grew up in London in the 90s and my mum ran an op shop. When I was 10, my happy place was on the sorting room floor, learning about secondhand fashion and imagining the stories these items could tell of their previous lives and owners.”
These days, you’ll still find her hunting through op shops and vintage markets most weekends — especially for fashion and homewares from the 1950s to 1980s. She’s drawn to pieces with history, where every scratch, fade, or detail tells a story.
And when she’s not championing the circular economy? She’s stepping into the spotlight in a whole new way — as a burlesque dancer in training. It’s bold, joyful, and empowering — much like Barbara herself.
One piece of advice that’s stuck with her over the years came from an unlikely place: a secondhand magnet she picked up at a garage sale. “Be silly, be honest, be kind.” - It’s lived on her fridge for eight years and remains a daily reminder of how she shows up — at work and in life.
Barbara’s love for local food and a great setting is another of her signatures. Right now, she’s loving AP Bread & Wine on Burton Street. “The rhubarb turnover is to die for, and the sun-drenched sandstone courtyard is amazing. Highly recommend for a long lunch or coffee meeting.”
At Desk Space, she and her team feel right at home.
“As a small team, Desk Space is like an extended work family for us. The best thing is having a whole bunch of like-minded people to learn from and chat to from outside your team.”
She’s also a convert to the herbal tea — particularly Maydee, which she’s officially obsessed with.
