THE Wycheproof Op Shop has marked a significant milestone, raising more than $200,000 since it opened in 1999.
Op-shop committee secretary Mary-Anne Duke said it was a huge achievement for the small group of volunteers who had ensured its longevity, while making a massive contribution to the betterment of the town.
“Our ethos has always been that money raised at the op-shop is redistributed within the community in the form of a grant,” Ms Duke said.
She said many local community groups and organisations had benefited from the shop in the past.
The funds have enabled the purchase of a buggy and kitchen renovations at the golf club, the replacement of shade shelters at the bowling club, a community bus for the hospital, reading resources for the Wycheproof Early Learning Centre and uniforms for the brass band.
Other grants have provided fridges, picnic tables, seating, defibrillators, sporting nets and line marking at sporting clubs.
“We help out with anything that is needed, or if there is a demand for it,” Ms Duke said.
“It’s of huge value for the community to have it, and we have made a lot of worthwhile contributions to the community in the past.”
Ms Duke said the shop was the brainchild of former resident Christine Partington, who recognised a need within the town.
Originally operating under the auspice of the Wycheproof Resource Centre, it has gone from strength to strength and, as of last year, is running as an independent entity.
Ms Duke said the shop, open Tuesdays and Fridays, was in the main street, attracted lots of passing traffic.
“We have a lot of hard-working volunteers,” Ms Duke said, noting she signed up in 2019 after moving back to the town to retire.
She said volunteering provided a social outlet, while enabling her to give back to her community.
“It’s the people you meet,” Ms Duke said.
The op-shop is part of the Buloke Shire Council’s Op-Shop Trail, which was initiated as part of the Visit Buloke campaign.
