Collectors out of closet

OBSESSED: Anne Hooker has a collection of fashions from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. 031061AD

By Dean Taylor

Some say they are obsessed, some say they are crazy - I say they are just keen.

They are the people who have collections tucked away in every nook and cranny of their homes and can’t walk past a second hand shop without having ‘a quick look’.

I should know - I’m one of them.

Te Awamutu Museum opens its new show ‘Obsessed! People in our community and their secret collecting obsessions’ tomorrow night.

The show features eight local collectors, everything from fashions through the years to circus memorabilia. I have a section for my Finn collection - but I’m not obsessed, really.

Everyone has a story. In my case my wife and I were school friends of Neil Finn and naturally followed the career of Split Enz and the Finn boys. I admit I am obsessed about collecting vinyl, and Finn related vinyl is just one of the themes of my collection.

Robyn and I also go to a lot of shows and concerts, and we have never missed any tour by Split Enz, Crowded House or the brothers, so a lot of the material has mainly come about because of this long association.

My only real collecting has been to try to obtain all the various colour renditions of the ‘True Colours’ album and overseas vinyl and CD variations of ‘Mental Notes’, ‘Frenzy’, ‘Waiata’ and best of compilations for both Split Enz and Crowded House.

That is starting to sound obsessive, I guess.

Te Awamutu Museum in Roche Street is open 10am until 4pm weekdays, 10am-1pm Saturday and 1-4pm Sundays. The show runs until March 23.