ROSS and Rhonda Colley are bringing vinyl back to Port Fairy.
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After years of sharing their passion for records with music lovers in Hobart and Cairns, the Portland couple have returned to the south-west to pursue another of their dreams.
The former hairdresser and engineer who originate from Ararat and Horsham, are opening a record shop in Port Fairy on March 1.
Revival Records will stock pre-loved vinyl records, CD’s, DVD’s, books, sheet music, prints and merchandise.
The duo, who have two sons and a new grandchild, are hoping the move from Cairns will be a positive one.
“We’re really looking forward to being a part of the community in Port Fairy,” Mr Colley said.
The former engineer said after years spent working away from home he had decided to pursue a career that balanced his home life with his love of music.
“When we became financially secure I could walk away thinking I was going to do something for me now,” he said.
“And the beauty of this is you can do something for you but everybody else is getting something out of it.”
Mr Colley said his love of vinyl originated at his uncle’s farm in Portland.
“Years ago on his dairy farm he used to bring his stereo out on the back of a Holden Kingswood and play it to us once a month on a Sunday,” he said.
“I guess that was my first exposure to it and I became hooked after that.”
The Creedence Clearwater Revival fan said vinyl collectors were now contacting him from all over the world.
“We are getting now getting wish-lists from people,” he said. “And it’s great to be able to help people out with a record they’ve been looking for for years.”
The pair have been selling vinyl from a pop-up shop at the Port Fairy markets for the past few weeks.
“We’re doing every Saturday market to put ourselves out there,” Mr Colley said. “And we sold quite a few at the jazz festival on the weekend.”
Before arriving in the port town at the start of February, Mr and Mrs Colley joined an online community group and advised locals of their imminent move.
“We received so many messages of goodwill,” Mr Colley said. “I tell you, the community support we have received has been fantastic.”