TOY FAIRS
Jim Bonaretti was a long-time member of both the Chamber of Manufacturers and of TAGMA (Toys and Games Manufacturers Association of Australia) and exhibited the Bestoys range at almost every Sydney Toy Fair from its earliest days to 1984. Through his agents, the Bestoys range was also displayed at the Melbourne Toy Fairs.
One of the earliest he exhibited at was held at the Sydney Town Hall or the Trocadero (unsure which venue…) between 1957 and 1961 during which Desmond Tester and his Channel Ninepins children's TV show was televised live. (See Bestoys History)
Sydney’s Toy Fairs were usually held in February or March and usually in conjunction with the International Toy and Sporting Goods Trade Fair (sometimes known as the International Toy Exhibition), while Melbourne held theirs sometime mid-year.
There is scant information regarding the formation of TAGMA or who the inaugural members were or, indeed, how it developed through the years however, newspaper articles indicate that the very first toy exhibition by Australian manufacturers was held between 6th and 8th April 1954 in the basement of the Sydney Town Hall and known as "The Australian Toymakers' Fair".
One of the earliest he exhibited at was held at the Sydney Town Hall or the Trocadero (unsure which venue…) between 1957 and 1961 during which Desmond Tester and his Channel Ninepins children's TV show was televised live. (See Bestoys History)
Sydney’s Toy Fairs were usually held in February or March and usually in conjunction with the International Toy and Sporting Goods Trade Fair (sometimes known as the International Toy Exhibition), while Melbourne held theirs sometime mid-year.
There is scant information regarding the formation of TAGMA or who the inaugural members were or, indeed, how it developed through the years however, newspaper articles indicate that the very first toy exhibition by Australian manufacturers was held between 6th and 8th April 1954 in the basement of the Sydney Town Hall and known as "The Australian Toymakers' Fair".
This page details those toy fairs and exhibitions in which Jim Bonaretti took part, either personally or through his agents, with photographs and publicity of those together with a listing of Bestoys and N.E.S.Toy products exhibited where possible.
For a very brief history of the Chamber of Manufacturers, TAGMA and Toy Fairs from 1951, go to this page…
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AUSTRALIAN TOYMAKERS' FAIR
Lower Sydney Town Hall
6th to 8th April, 1954
Bestoys had not been established yet and it is most likely that Nazzareno Bonaretti was not involved with Roy Waddell or Lovelock at this time. From the information available, it appears that neither R. Waddell nor E. Lovelock exhibited at this, the very first Toy Fair to be held in Australia however some now-famous names did...
The following newspaper article is with thanks to the National Library of Australia: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/27506569
Apart from advertising the very first Toy Fair to be held in Australia, the paper gives a fascinating insight into the Sydney of more than 70 years ago.
Apart from advertising the very first Toy Fair to be held in Australia, the paper gives a fascinating insight into the Sydney of more than 70 years ago.
This is a PDF download of the Daily Telegraph edition of 6th April 1954. The Toy Fair supplement is on pages 14 and 15 - see also images below.
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More articles and advertising from various sources for that very first Toy Fair...
AUSTRALIAN TOYMAKERS' FAIR
Lower Sydney Town Hall
30th March to 6th April, 1955
Following the success of the inaugural Australian Toymakers' Fair, the event was repeated in the same venue - the basement of the Sydney Town Hall - from 30th March to 1st April, 1955.
Only one reference to this event has so far come to light:
Only one reference to this event has so far come to light:
MELBOURNE TOY FAIR
Lower Melbourne Town Hall
16th to 19th May, 1955
With the success of the very first Australian toymakers' exhibition held in Sydney the previous year, the Victorian Toy Retailers' Association, under the leadership of Mr. E.A. Lewis, held Melbourne's first Toy Fair—also in the basement—in the Melbourne Town Hall. This exhibition was a little different: it had a cordoned-off area just for adults—one for men and one for mothers—no children (see newspaper articles below. Gender bias is prevalent in most of the ads but that is what it was in "those days"...).
While visitors' entry to the Sydney Toy Fair was free, Melbourne's Toy Fair had an entry fee of 6d (sixpence) for children and 2/- (two shillings) for adults with the proceeds going to the Victorian Society for Crippled Children. The exhibition itself was grandly opened by Sir Ralph Richardson, world-famous English actor. |
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End note: A cheque for £532, proceeds of the Toy Fair in the lower Melbourne Town Hall in May, was presented yesterday morning to Mr. Angus S. Mitchell, president of the Victorian Society for Crippled Children, by Mr. R. Grogan, Toy Retailers' Association president.
From the Argus Melbourne, Friday, 7th October, 1955: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71699875?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
From the Argus Melbourne, Friday, 7th October, 1955: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71699875?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
SYDNEY TOY FAIR
c1957
Up until the beginning of 1959, Bestoys was operating out of 26 Hutchinson Street, St Peters. It was at these premises that the Bestoys logo of moon and rocket ship was born. This is also where Jim Bonaretti crafted a giant rocket and moon logo from plywood and decorated them by hand for an upcoming toy fair. He suspended these in front of a deep mauve backdrop made of velvet ceiling-to-floor fabric curtaining to represent the sky. This made for a very eye-catching display backdrop for his toys and nursery furniture and promoted the new Bestoys logo to visitors and buyers.
Rolls of the velvet fabric were purchased and Ebe fashioned them into curtains of the appropriate length for the exhibition. Afterward, those lengths were rolled up and stored for future use.
When the Bonaretti family moved to Byrnes Street in late 1958, some of that fabric was used to curtain the doorways to the three bedrooms in the old cottage at number 19. For some unknown reason, Jim and Ebe had removed the doors or, perhaps, the original doors had been removed by the previous owner.
The original moon and rocket ship made c1957 still exists today.
Rolls of the velvet fabric were purchased and Ebe fashioned them into curtains of the appropriate length for the exhibition. Afterward, those lengths were rolled up and stored for future use.
When the Bonaretti family moved to Byrnes Street in late 1958, some of that fabric was used to curtain the doorways to the three bedrooms in the old cottage at number 19. For some unknown reason, Jim and Ebe had removed the doors or, perhaps, the original doors had been removed by the previous owner.
The original moon and rocket ship made c1957 still exists today.
SYDNEY TOY FAIR
March, 1963
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SYDNEY TOY SHOW (1963)
To the left is a short film found in the British Pathé archive of the toy fair held in Sydney in 1963. The date of the film is 5th March, 1963. Slot cars and trains sets were all the rage and, behind the marionette, glimpses of metal wheeled-toys and table and chairs can be seen (Cyclops?). The next shot shows playsuits in the background (Lindsay?) Bestoys most likely exhibited its range at this event and, as more information comes to hand, it will be included here. (Media URL: UN 3721 D) With thanks to British Pathé |
MELBOURNE TOY FAIR – July, 1964
This photograph is of the Bestoys stand at the "Melbourne Toy Market". The caption beneath the Bestoys Rocket and Moon reads, “Furniture for Children and Dolls”.
Note that the Bestoys sign is not the one made by Jim Bonaretti in c1957.
Note that the Bestoys sign is not the one made by Jim Bonaretti in c1957.
(With thanks to Rebecca's Collections – (http://rebeccascollections.blogspot.com/2013/05/toy-journals-and-catalogues-at-national.html)
SYDNEY TOY TRADE FAIR
Menzies Hotel Sydney
March, 1965
The Menzies Hotel was the first international hotel built in the city since World War II and was officially opened by The Beach Boys in 1964. The hotel hosted skating stars on a permanent, retractable ice-skating rink, a restaurant showpiece and local favorite. The first ever Japanese Restaurant in Sydney opened at the hotel in 1972, called Keisan, and in 1979 Shell House, the office building adjacent to The Menzies became part of the hotel adding 196 rooms to the hotel's inventory. It no longer exists, being demolished in 2017 to make way for the Brookfield Partners' 27-storey Wynyard Place tower. (With thanks to https://traveloscopy.blogspot.com/2013/09/sydneys-historic-menzies-hotel-turns-50.html)
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1965 TOY SHOW IN SYDNEY
To the left is another short film found in the British Pathé archive. This one of the toy fair held in Sydney in 1965 at the Menzies Hotel. There is no specific date this film was taken. Once more, playsuits feature (Lindsay?), marionettes, dolls and teddy bears, and Slinky, a toy introduced in 1945, still a favourite in 1965. Slot cars, too, remain extremely popular. TV shows like Combat! and The Gallant Men make war toys a must have. There is even a decimal converter cash register, ready for Australia's convertion on 14th February, 1966. Bestoys most likely exhibited its range at this event and, as more information comes to hand, it will be included here. (Media URL: UN 4043 D) With thanks to British Pathé |
TAGMA TOY TRADE FAIR
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FIRST INTERNATIONAL TOY TRADE FAIR
Sydney
14th March, 1966
A Canberra Times newspaper article of 8th March, 1966 stated:
A NATION OF TOY-BUYERS
MELBOURNE, Monday. - Australians buy more toys per head of population than most other countries, the chairman of the British Toy Manufacturers Association, Mr. David Day, said today.
Mr. Day, the father of four and grandfather of four, is in Australia to attend the first International Toy Fair, which, opens in Sydney next Monday.
He said that Australians last year bought $54 million (£27m.) worth of toys.
Half of the toys were manufactured locally, and of the imports a third came from Britain.
Britain produced toys worth £55m. sterling in 1965, of which £l5m. worth were exported.
Australia had long been Britain's best market for toys but last year, for the first time, UK exports to West Germany (£1.8m.) exceeded those to Australia (£1.6m.).
Mr. Day said: "British manufacturers will be making every effort to gain a wider share of the Australian market.
"Our display at the International Toy Fair in Sydney next week is a step in this direction."
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105890386?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22#
A NATION OF TOY-BUYERS
MELBOURNE, Monday. - Australians buy more toys per head of population than most other countries, the chairman of the British Toy Manufacturers Association, Mr. David Day, said today.
Mr. Day, the father of four and grandfather of four, is in Australia to attend the first International Toy Fair, which, opens in Sydney next Monday.
He said that Australians last year bought $54 million (£27m.) worth of toys.
Half of the toys were manufactured locally, and of the imports a third came from Britain.
Britain produced toys worth £55m. sterling in 1965, of which £l5m. worth were exported.
Australia had long been Britain's best market for toys but last year, for the first time, UK exports to West Germany (£1.8m.) exceeded those to Australia (£1.6m.).
Mr. Day said: "British manufacturers will be making every effort to gain a wider share of the Australian market.
"Our display at the International Toy Fair in Sydney next week is a step in this direction."
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105890386?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22#
MELBOURNE TOY FAIR
1966
TAGMA TOY TRADE FAIR
1967
Not much is found in publications that relate to the TAGMA Toy Fair of 1967 except for this article in the Port Lincoln Times (South Australia) of Thursday, 26th October, 1967 that mentions Metti Dolls (an Adelaide manufacturer) winning a "gold medal" for "the best Australian toy at this year's toy fair in Sydney". (Must have been the TAGMA Toy Fair)
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/269711535?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
It is very likely that Bestoys did exhibit in the TAGMA Toy Fair of 1967...
Will be added to as soon as discovered...
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/269711535?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
It is very likely that Bestoys did exhibit in the TAGMA Toy Fair of 1967...
Will be added to as soon as discovered...
A little bit of Metti history
Metti Australia was established in South Australia in 1965 by Richard Hall and Luciano Metti. (above from: https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/257673) Metti was sold on November 30th, 1976 to Benny Coscia, who was the production manager. He decided that something had to be done to keep Australian made dolls available to the public. Benny and his wife, Antoinetta, who was one of the Metti hairdressers, purchased the manufacturing machines and reopened the business as "Netta" on December 1st, 1976. (above from: https://dollsdollsdolls.net/the-dolls/my-metti-netta-family-2/) |
2nd SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR
13th February, 1967
Only a passing reference has been found (so far) regarding the Sydney Toy Fair of 1967. It is from the Canberra Times Canberra Diary of 8th February, 1967 (page 11) announcing, "The British High Commissioner, Sir Charles Johnston, and Lady Johnston will be in Sydney next week. Sir Charles will be present at the opening of the International Toy Fair on February 13 and, with Lady Johnston, will attend a dinner given by Mr. Roy Orpwood in honour of the chairman of the ANZ Bank, Sir Geoffrey Gibbs."
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106961203?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
The Canberra Times of Tuesday, 14th February, 1967 further mentions, in response to fundraising for the victims of the Tasmanian bush fires, "Manufacturers represented at the giant International Toy Trade Fair in Sydney this week have pledged to send toys to child victims of the Tasmanian bushfires."
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106962191?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
(...the search continues...)
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106961203?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
The Canberra Times of Tuesday, 14th February, 1967 further mentions, in response to fundraising for the victims of the Tasmanian bush fires, "Manufacturers represented at the giant International Toy Trade Fair in Sydney this week have pledged to send toys to child victims of the Tasmanian bushfires."
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106962191?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22
(...the search continues...)
MELBOURNE TOY FAIR
July, 1967
Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co, with Mr Alex Gast at the helm, steered the Bestoys ship at the Melbourne Toy Fair of 1967 aided by the successful exposure of the Bestoys range on the TV Children’s Game Show, Video Village.
Bestoys products displayed are:
Top row on tabletops, left to right:
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On the floor, back row, left to right:
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3rd SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TOY TRADE FAIR
Chevron Hotel
c13th to 20th March, 1968
Again, not much information is available on the Toy Fairs in 1968, other than a newspaper articles from 1968.
The Canberra Times Canberra Diary of 13th March, 1968 (page 11) announced, "On Monday Sir Charles and Lady Johnston will leave Canberra for Sydney to attend a dinner for the International Toy Fair and to give a reception at their Point Piper flat to meet the new British deputy High Commissioner in Sydney, Mr. Desmond Pakenham, and Mrs. Pakenham." See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107041360?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22 The Canberra Times of Wednesday, 20th March, 1968 further mentions, "Tomorrow Sir Charles and Lady Johnston will visit the International Toy Fair in Sydney and will return to Canberra tomorrow afternoon." See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107042529?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22 Another article pertaining to the Third Sydney International Toy Fair appeared in the Australian Jewish Times of Thursday, 21st March, 1968 - see article to the right. See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263110364?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22# On 28th March, 1968, the Australian Jewish News published another article mentioning the International Toy Fair held at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney. See article to the left. See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263110450?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22 (...the search continues...) |
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TOY TRADE FAIR
16-20 March, 1969
MELBOURNE TOY FAIR
Southern Cross Hotel
18th July, 1971
This article from the Australian Women's Weekly published on Wednesday, 28th July, 1971 features a fluffy toy from the annual toy fair held at the Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne - page 15
See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46076110?searchTerm=%22Toy%20fair%22 |
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TOY TRADE FAIR
Randwick Racecourse
March, 1972
In 1972, the 7th International Toy Trade Fair was held in conjunction with the TAGMA Toy Fair at Randwick Racecourse.
The Minister for Decentralisation and Development, The Hon J.B.M. Fuller, MLC, officially opened the international exhibition on Wednesday 8th March, 1972. While the Bestoys and N.E.S.Toy ranges were the main focus, Jim Bonaretti combined his manufacturing enterprise with his newly established wholesale company, Alltoys International Pty Ltd, adding the range of Japanese-made YKS microscopes and telescopes to the display on behalf of Mr. David Biber, Sales Manager for Slingo and Williams of Camperdown, which was the exclusive Australian importer of the scientific range for children and students. Assisting Jim on the stand was his sales representative, Ian "Mac" McLean and his wife. |
TAGMA TOY TRADE FAIR
Sebel Townhouse Hotel, Kings Cross
11th to 14th February, 1973
Stands 26, 27 and 28
A little bit of Sebel history with thanks to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebel_Townhouse_Hotel
The Sebel Townhouse Hotel was situated at 19 Elizabeth Bay Road in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The hotel was noted for its popularity with entertainers. It opened in 1963 and, by the mid-1960s, was the entertainment industry's "place to be seen". By the 1990s the Sebel Townhouse declined and had "become more sleazy", closing in 2000, and converting to private apartments. TAGMA decided that the Sebel Townhouse Hotel, in the middle of Kings Cross, would be the perfect central location to hold its 1973 Toy Fair but it was a bugger for exhibitors. The surrounding streets were narrow and congested and parking a nightmare but, for Jim Bonaretti, it was critical to be there. His three stands combined Bestoys and N.E.S.Toy brands under the umbrella of Alltoys International Pty Ltd, his importing and distribution company. This move was to reach as many potential outlets as possible: both wholesale and retail, and to draw them into his showroom at 80-84 Parramatta Road, Stanmore. |
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Chevron Hotel Sydney
March, 1974
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Stands 17, 18 & 19
Centrepoint Tower Sydney
February, 1976
1976 for Bestoys and the Bonaretti family was a year of major changes. Decisions had been made to combine the three business entities into one property complex and building of that complex had begun when the family once again went on a buying trip to Italy. The fruits of those seeds were now ready for harvest and it proved to be a bountiful crop.
The captions on these pages from the Australasian Sportsgoods and Toy Retailer tell of those successes: |
TOY FAIR*
Boulevard Hotel Sydney
4th-9th March, 1977
Taken from the December 1976 issue of the Australasian Sportsgoods and Toy Retailer, this ad by Ideal and Mattel announces their display at the Boulevard Hotel in Sydney during the upcoming Toy Fair in March. If it was a standalone exhibition, it would have coincided with the TAGMA and ITSGTF. If so, then the Toy Fairs for 1977 were held from Friday, 4th March through to Wednesday, 9th March. *As listed by Ideal/Mattel |
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In 1977 Jim Bonaretti was promoting the range of Italian imports at the International Toy and Sporting Goods Trade Fair rather than TAGMA. Bestoys products were virtually selling themselves so little promotion was deemed necessary.
This was a good move and brought in a lot of interest and, more importantly, business to the combined businesses ventures of Bestoys and Alltoys International. |
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Hilton Hotel Sydney
February, 1978
The year of the BIG MOVE...
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Stands 73 A-B-C
Centrepoint Tower Sydney
March, 1979
Bigger and better than ever!
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TAGMA Toy of the Year EXHIBITION
Sydney Town Hall
March, 1980
Now all under one roof, Bestoys, N.E.S.Toys and Alltoys International exhibited at toy fairs as Alltoys International. This year, Australian toy fair was held in Sydney Town Hall coinciding with the international toy fair held in a different location.
It was always a mad rush to have everything ready in time: samples of new products had to be made, new price lists and brochures printed, invitations with passes sent out. Shelving and custom-made stands had to be specially made - easy for cabinet maker, Jim. Then there was the scramble to wriggle the Bestoys truck carrying all this into the loading dock, unload quickly without damaging or losing anything, find a trolley and cart everything up to the exhibition floor with 100 other exhibitors doing the same. The photograph belies the bedlam that preceded it. The Alltoys stand was one of the biggest at the Town Hall that year and showed not only one each of the entire Bestoys and N.E.S.Toys ranges but one each of every colour that was available for each product, which made for an impressive and colourful display. Prominent on the stand in front the new releases for 1980 were featured. |
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Hilton Hotel Sydney
March, 1980
More coming soon...hopefully...
INTERNATIONAL TOY & SPORTING GOODS TRADE FAIR
Royal Sydney Showground
4th to 11th March, 1981
The following image of the two-page spread in the January 1981 edition of the Australasian Sportsgoods and Toy Retailer indicates that the Australian toy industry had, indeed, grown up and joined the big league in the world of toys, games and sporting goods.
The 1981 exhibition occupied many of the buildings at the (Sydney) Royal Agricultural Society Showground in Moore Park. Some of those who advertised in the January, 1981 edition of the Australasian Sportsgoods and Toy Retailer magazine were:
Manufacturers' Hall - mostly comprised toy manufacturers and importers including
Toy Traders with Buddy L - (no stands listed)
Fidelity Trading with 'Britains' Models- Stands 59-60
Weirdo Pty Ltd - (no stands listed)
Majorette die cast models - Stands 34-35
Rosenhain, Lipmann & Peers with Spears Games - Stands 69-70
Judius Pty Ltd with Willis Toys - Stands 8-9
Consolidated Merchandising with Mamod Models - Stand 53
Consolidated Merchandising with Flyer Roller Skates and B.C.M. Outlaw Pistols - Stands 63-64
Consolidated Merchandising with Mettoy and Corgi - Stands 61-62 and 91-92
Matchbox- (no stands listed)
British Toy Manufacturers - Stands 61-91 and 113-118
Other group Government displays on various stands
AMP Pavilion - displayed most of the sporting goods exhibitors including
Superstar - Stands 78-79
Spank Sportswear - Stands 17-18
Amatil Building
Mattel with Aurora AFX Racing
Fischer-Price
Tonka Toys
Westco Building
Toltoys
Leyland Pavilion
Revell and Southern Model Supplies with Corgi
Toy Centre Agencies/C.F. Barnes & Co with Tuff Trikes
Toy Traders
John Leeman
Commerce Hall
Maurianne Trading
Spalding
Disney Pavilion
Croner Toys
Ford Pavilion
A.T.M.A. Toy of the Year Exhibition
25 Australian manufacturers exhibited with the largest display put on by Cyclops.
Manufacturers' Hall - mostly comprised toy manufacturers and importers including
Toy Traders with Buddy L - (no stands listed)
Fidelity Trading with 'Britains' Models- Stands 59-60
Weirdo Pty Ltd - (no stands listed)
Majorette die cast models - Stands 34-35
Rosenhain, Lipmann & Peers with Spears Games - Stands 69-70
Judius Pty Ltd with Willis Toys - Stands 8-9
Consolidated Merchandising with Mamod Models - Stand 53
Consolidated Merchandising with Flyer Roller Skates and B.C.M. Outlaw Pistols - Stands 63-64
Consolidated Merchandising with Mettoy and Corgi - Stands 61-62 and 91-92
Matchbox- (no stands listed)
British Toy Manufacturers - Stands 61-91 and 113-118
Other group Government displays on various stands
AMP Pavilion - displayed most of the sporting goods exhibitors including
Superstar - Stands 78-79
Spank Sportswear - Stands 17-18
Amatil Building
Mattel with Aurora AFX Racing
Fischer-Price
Tonka Toys
Westco Building
Toltoys
Leyland Pavilion
Revell and Southern Model Supplies with Corgi
Toy Centre Agencies/C.F. Barnes & Co with Tuff Trikes
Toy Traders
John Leeman
Commerce Hall
Maurianne Trading
Spalding
Disney Pavilion
Croner Toys
Ford Pavilion
A.T.M.A. Toy of the Year Exhibition
25 Australian manufacturers exhibited with the largest display put on by Cyclops.
A.T.M.A. Toy of the Year Exhibition
Ford Pavilion - Royal Sydney Showground
7th to 11th March, 1981
A.T.M.A. (the Australian Toy Manufacturers Association) appears to be an intermediate step between T.A.G.M.A. and the current A.T.A., holding its annual Toy of the Year display in the Ford Pavilion, commencing 3 days after the I.T.S.G. Fair. As described above, there were 25 Australian manufacturers exhibiting. This section of the toy fair was opened on Saturday, 7th March by Senator Don Chipp, leader of the Australian Democrats and Senator for Victoria in the Parliament of Australia.
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