Common Ground Markets
Our story
Common Ground Markets is a community markets and events operator founded by Yarraville local and small-business owner, Jill Hale.
Jill knows markets from the inside. As a stallholder herself, she's spent countless weekends behind a stall, and come to love the camaraderie and connectedness a good market creates. She's seen first-hand the difference these markets make: the way they draw a neighbourhood together, give people a reason to shop local, and open real trading opportunities for the small businesses and makers who pour everything into what they do.
A passionate advocate for local business, Jill volunteers on the Executive Committee of the Yarraville Business Association (now YKBA) and on the School Council at Kingsville Primary School, so she knows this community, and she knows what it's been missing.
Because for all its village charm, Jill's heartland of Yarraville (and its neighbouring suburbs of Kingsville and Seddon) has had no established market of its own for locals and visitors to enjoy. So she set out to build one.
That's how Common Ground Markets began: an enterprise to create and operate location-based community markets across Melbourne's inner west, starting with the Yarraville Farmers Market. The longer-term vision is a network of free local markets, on different days and in different locations, bringing residents farm-fresh produce, grocery staples, artisan goods, locally-made treats and specialty beverages.
Whatever the location, every Common Ground market holds to the same standard: local, Australian-made, sustainable, and built around the neighbourhoods it serves.
What we do
We don't just run markets; we bring them together, stall by stall. We choose stallholders carefully, hold every one to a clear standard, operate single-use plastic free towards zero waste, and put community at the centre. Each market is local to its place but shares the same promise.
Our markets
- Yarraville Farmers Market: our first market. Fourth Sunday of every month, from Sunday 27 September 2026. Visit →
- More locations to come.
For stallholders
Stallholders partner with — and pay — Common Ground Markets, and trade across our growing network under one trusted banner. Express your interest →
Contact
Common Ground Markets Pty Ltd: hello@yarravillemarket.com.au