About
Founded in 1958 by the late John Rosenberg, Moorabool Antique Galleries has been a part of the Antiques & Art scene in Victoria for the past 65 years.
Here’s a brief outline of Moorabool’s interesting story.
59 consecutive Antique Dealers Fairs — every single one attended by John Rosenberg.From the first fair at Malvern Town Hall, 1959, through to Melbourne 2019.
1950s
The late John Rosenberg begins buying & selling ‘old stuff’, becomes fascinated in Antiques thanks to a grandmother’s house full of Victoriana. Attends his first auction aged 7 with the same grandmother — Kerleys in Geelong. Attended their last sale in his 80th year, 2020.
1958
The first gallery, ‘Montrose Galleries’, is formed, named after the ship his Swedish father had sailed on. Located at the sea-end of Moorabool Street. Moves to 41 Little Ryrie Street (corner of Star Street), Geelong, shortly after.
1959
Joins the fledgling ‘Antique Dealers Association’ (just ‘of Victoria’ at that stage), the youngest member. Exhibits at the first ever Antique Fair event to be held in Melbourne, at the Malvern Town Hall.
-and never misses this event for the next 59 years!
1965
Is joined by Lorraine, and as a team they develop Moorabool Antiques into a quality Antiques & Art brand. Premises opens at 200 Moorabool Street, and the name ‘Moorabool’ is introduced. Second premises opened in Packing Street shortly after.
Lorraine Rosenberg becomes respected for her expertise in the Ceramics World, as lecturer and author, including a weekly ‘Art & Antiques’ column in the Geelong Advertiser.
1980s – 90s
Spreads to Sydney & Melbourne via various Antique Markets, with 6 outlets at one stage. Exhibits regularly in Sydney and Melbourne Antique Fairs, as well as Canberra, Adelaide, and other smaller concerns; up to 5 fairs a year, the height of the Antiques Fashion. Joined by son Paul, after studying at La Trobe University and in London at Christies (dip. Royal Society of the Arts).
Buying trips to Europe became a regular event through the 1970s–90s, with containers of Antiques arriving most years.Portugal, France, England — buying trips sourcing fine ceramics, furniture, and decorative arts direct from the source.
‘Winter Exhibitions’ eagerly awaited by the collecting community.
2000
Major move from 200 Moorabool Street to 16-18 Ryrie Street, the present premises — a historic central Geelong building with a remarkable facade, including a dome, balcony and flagpole. 3 floors, with 2 used as showroom space. At the same time, premises in the historic ES&A Bank in Malop Street, Geelong, is developed into an auction house: OldBank Auctions runs for 10 years as an estate salesroom.
2004
Lorraine Rosenberg passes away, after a short illness. The Lorraine Rosenberg Library & Reference Collection of Ceramics is established in her memory, in the Ryrie Street premises.
2019 – 2020
The present-day version of the Antique Dealers Association, the AAADA, holds its 59th consecutive Antique Fair in Melbourne — every one attended by John Rosenberg. 2020: the fair is cancelled due to COVID shutdown. John Rosenberg passes away soon after.
2021
Moorabool Antiques exhibits at their 60th Antique Dealers Fair — back to Malvern Town Hall. That’s 60 / 60. Sadly, John didn’t make it to this milestone.
2024
Moorabool Auctions is formed, due to the change in buying habits and the sudden disappearance of the local salesroom Kerleys. Rapidly becomes the go-to place to buy & sell Antiques & Art for the Geelong & Western District.
