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 leading one of Australia’s most engaging sustainability campaigns, helping people declutter, connect, and do right by the planet in the process.

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Leading Australia’s Biggest Secondhand Treasure Hunt

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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.”

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Every year, around 3 million pre-loved items are “liberated” from garages, sheds, and cupboards across the country. These once-forgotten items get a second chance — and in doing so, they help divert significant amounts of waste from landfill.

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“We want to make doing the right thing by the planet simple, social and fun.”

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The initiative is backed by more than 80 local councils across Australia and powered by a small but mighty team — Merlina, Liz, Nat, and Andrew — who bring the mission to life on the ground.

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From London 2012 to the Circular Economy

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Barbara’s path to running one of the country’s most beloved sustainability programs started in London, where she worked in partnerships and project management. One highlight? A stint with Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, helping shape one of the most iconic events in recent British history.

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After relocating to Sydney, she brought her skills in project delivery and stakeholder management into the not-for-profit and creative sectors, eventually landing at Garage Sale Trail — where her love of secondhand and her strategic mind found their perfect match.

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A Childhood Spent in the Sorting Room

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Barbara’s love for all things secondhand runs deep, — so who sparked the obsession?

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“My mum! 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.”

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That early exposure to the magic of pre-loved pieces left a lasting impression. Today, her weekends are often spent hunting through op shops and markets, especially for fashion and homewares from the 1950s to 1980s. She’s especially drawn to the idea that every item has a history — a life before her own — and that giving it a second (or third) life is its own kind of storytelling.

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Sustainability, with Sparkle

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Outside of Garage Sale Trail, Barbara still finds creative ways to express herself — most unexpectedly, perhaps, through burlesque dancing. She’s currently in training and loving the challenge. It’s playful, bold, and confidence-building — all qualities that reflect how she shows up professionally, too.

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Words to Live By

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Her favourite quote?

“Be silly, be honest, be kind.”

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She found it on a secondhand magnet at a garage sale eight years ago. It’s lived on her fridge ever since. It’s a small detail — but one that speaks volumes about how she sees the world.

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Local Loves & Desk Space Rituals

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When Barbara’s not trail-blazing sustainability or treasure-hunting in op shops, she’s likely tracking down great food and coffee.

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“Finding new places to eat and drink is one of my favourite things to do. At the moment I’m 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.”

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At Desk Space, Barbara says her small team feels right at home.

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“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.”

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Also high on her list? The Maydee herbal tea, which she’s officially obsessed with.

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