Dave's Den of model cars winding down: 'I think Dannevirke liked it'

Dave and Pauline Pawson. Photo / Tamara Eastwood

Dave Pawson is discreet about the value of the rarest model cars in his 8000-plus collection.

But there's no doubt about his favourite.

It's a model of an Austin A60 - almost a replica of the car Pawson's beloved wife Pauline had when they first met.

Pauline passed away in May. Pawson's now looking at closing his collection - known as Dave's Den - to the public and has begun to consider what will happen to it when he does.

When Pauline died, she and Dave were just six months short of celebrating 50 years of marriage.

How they met is a story in itself, Pawson says.

Pauline had lived in Pongaroa and had been married to the postmaster there.

They had been living in Glenorchy when he died suddenly and Pauline came back to Dannevirke.

She was encouraged to attend a Sportsman's Ball, but had no one to go with, so friends suggested Pawson.

"Pauline said, 'Well, I better meet him first. I mightn't like him'."

They met in the bar of a hotel and the rest is history.

Dave Pawson with one of the bigger models he's collected over the years. Photo / Leanne Warr

Pawson is looking at closing up shop around Easter next year, depending on his health.

His collection started around 1980 when he and Pauline were in Norfolk Island with family for a holiday.

He saw some models in the toy shops.

"I'd always been keen on them."

He bought enough to fill a suitcase and brought them home. Pauline didn't mind as she had her own hobby in art.

Pawson started adding to the collection through buying up other people's collections, and it grew to more than 8000.

Most were Matchbox cars, but he also collected toy vehicles of other brands, like Trax, which has a range of Australian cars.

Some of his collection dates back to the 1950s.

The Pawsons bought their house on High St in 1975 and the collection grew in what was once a games room for the previous owner.

The couple had it extended so they could both use it for their hobbies.

Dave's Den became something of a tourist attraction.

"We used to get busloads," he says. "It was good."

"When you've got a big busload, half of them used to go to the Fantasy Cave and half of them would come here. And then they'd swap 'em around."

It's one of the things Pawson will miss.

"I think the biggest thing is the enjoyment and the people you meet."

He will be a little sad when he has to close up, "but you've got to be a realist," he says.

He's had great support from the people of Dannevirke, for which he's very thankful.

"I've enjoyed doing it and I think Dannevirke liked it."