What Do You Collect & Collectomania

A little over a year ago, I received a newsletter from the Queensland Museum. It mentioned they were giving people a chance to put up a photo of their collections, on a page called 'What Do You Collect?'

Being proud of my collection & eager to share it with other collectors, I quickly took a photo(one of many crappy photos I'll be sharing today. As always, I apologise for my inability to take a decent photo) & uploaded it.

The next thing I know, The Sunday Mail is contacting me about an interview for an article. The also sent over a photographer, which was a new experience for me.

While waiting for the article to come out, I was contacted by Queensland Museum personally, to ask if I'd be interested in lending some of my collection for a exhibit they were working on. The idea of not having a portion of my collectables, for a long period of time, almost made me say no(& I am missing them dreadfully lately). Eventually however, I decided the opportunity was worth embracing.
After three visits from museum employees to take photos, measurements & choose which items they might consider using(they took 18, though only displayed about half of them), I was left to wait. A few months later, I received my invite to the opening of the exhibit.

Collectomania opened on the 28th of March & will end on the 31st of December. Entry is free.
I think the variety of collections is fascinating. Some are basically artwork(a model of Bilbo Baggins hobbit house, painted mini-figures, street art stickers etc.), other were simply 'found objects'. Plenty of antiques, music, brand collectors, amongst more.

Bundaberg Rum items lent by Bundaberg Rum Showcase

Rocking Horses lent by Robin Bailey

Pepsi Items lent by Bradley Worling


Salesmen Samples lent by Queensland Antique and Collectables Society Inc.

Diorama lent by The Military Workshop


Prosthetic Legs from 'Spare Parts' lent by Priscilla Sutton

I have visited the exhibit four times so far(it's nice to check on my things now & then) & intend to visit many more times in the coming months. My collection is part of the 'Against The Grain' section. Found next to a jar of toenails & saved chewing gum pieces(of all the odd things to hoard).

So basically, thanks to my obsession with browsing the internet & signing up for newsletters, I now have stuff temporarily displayed in a museum. Nice to have such an opportunity in my life & all because I sit here for about 14hours a day.

Fashion Victim Sybil or 'Living Dead Devotchka'

So, you might be wondering why I'm doing a post about a Living Dead Doll. Well, the very first ACO item I ever bought(besides the movie & book) was the Living Dead Doll Fashion Victim Sybil. Also, posting about items I don't own,(or may never own) was starting to get me down a little, so I thought I'd discuss something I DO own & still love.

My Sybils(my red curtains messed with the lighting)

Photo by Mark Cranitch

Now, from the front, you may think this is just another of LDDs many psychotic dolls... though perhaps with a little less clothing then usual.

But turn the box around & take a closer look & we find an entirely different outfit & the reason I think of Sybil as a fellow droog & why I consider her my first official ACO collectable.

Currently, my Fashion Victim Sybil is at the Queensland Museum, amongst many of my other items(including some of my ACO collection). Part of an exhibit called 'Collectomania'. I'll be blogging about it in a week or two, when I get new photos.