A 43-year-old man was charged with theft and handling stolen goods in November. He was bailed to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates Court on April 13.

Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit First Constable James Gardiner said it was the most unusual case he had been involved in and he was unlikely to see anything else quite like it again.

It took a team of three police almost three hours to place all of the shoes on display at the hall on Sunday.

Some were still stuffed with socks while others were covered in a mouldy fuzz after months or years locked away in a room.

Liam Riseley was one of the earliest to arrive and soon experienced his Cinderella moment - reunited with a pair of cowboy boots purchased in the US and stolen from his brother's porch in Mernda almost four years ago.

"I heard this was happening and thought I would try my luck, I'm just happy to have them back," he said.

"I also had a pair of work boots stolen but I saw all the boots there and just thought finding them was going to be like a needle in a haystack - there was just such a a ridiculous amount of boots."

Police allege the shoes were taken from the front doors of homes in the Mernda, Doreen, Watsonia North and Craigieburn areas over the past six years.

Nicole Fisher was pleased to have located one of the three missing pairs of work boots stolen from her husband over recent years.

Ms Fisher said her husband worked in construction as a crane driver and they had been upset as the boots all had orthotic insoles and were worth more than $1000.

She said it was "phenomenal" walking into the hall and beginning her hunt. "I can't believe he had all of these, I don't know why you would steal this many boots."

Rachel Harris and her landscape gardener boyfriend David were on the hunt for a pair of stolen workboots.

Ravinder Singh was less successful in the search for his wife's missing shoes.

"I was in so much shock when I came in, how can a thief steal thousands of pairs of shoes?"

Anyone who believes their shoes may be among the haul is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.