Meet Kew's Michael Cooper from Qreiositi at the Retro Room

As a self-labelled ‘collecto-hoarder’, Michael said he has always been able to use his eye to identify items which are unique. 

Michael spent 35 years in a high-pressure career in catering and hospitality. 

He left his job and Michael discovered a passion for auctions, after attending his first in Sydney. 

“I became addicted to auctions because I got a thrill out of finding items which have been recognised by collectors,” he said. 

Michael has lived in the Camden Haven for 10 years, after moving from Sydney. 

He said he ran ‘in slow motion’ across the Taree Community Recycling Centre at Tionee, when he spotted a yellow vase from afar. 

“I saw that it was a yellow Chinese vase,” he said. 

“I discovered that it was an imperial royal vase in perfect form.” 

“It had dragon figures as its handles.” 

Michael said the object would have been made sometime between 1730 and 1780. 

“That’s pre-Australia,” he said. 

“My question is how it came to be at this particular tip in the first place, that is the real mystery.” 

Michael said the main reason why he collects is because he never knows what he might come across. 

As an avid traveller, Michael said he is looking forward to new adventures in the future. 

He is passionate about Asian artifacts.  

Michael believes everyone has treasures, they just have to be appreciated and recognised. 

“These days people are too quick to part with Aunty Betty’s valuables at auctions,” he said. 

Michael has a range of interesting, rare and unusual items on display at Qreiositi. 

The store is located at the Retro Room in Kew. It is open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week.  

For more information visit the Qreiositi Facebook page.