PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY AT THE STIRLING COMMUNITY SHOP
The Stirling Community Shop opened as the RDNS Opportunity Shop way back in 1964, and more than 50 years later is still a stalwart of the Stirling main street. We chatted with the Chair of the Management Committee, Lois Allen and Shop Manager, Kay Harlow about the shop, its history and the need to check your pockets!
Tell us about the origins for the shop?
Lois: Back in the early 1960s it originally operated cake stalls from verandahs in the main street. Two years later Council provided the land and the original fundraising money was used to build the premises, which were expanded again later. The whole purpose of the shop was to raise funds to pay for the car and wage for a district nurse. We ended up funding two full-time district nurses in the end. Later the funding arrangements for district nurses were centralised and we wanted to ensure our proceeds were spent locally, so we had a bit of a kerfuffle to change the constitution back in 1998 and we became the Stirling Community Shop Inc.
Kay: We have around 50 volunteers on the roster now and support a range of local causes from palliative care to Riding for the Disabled. We probably take more than $2,000 per week these days so the funding we can re-invest in the community is really worthwhile.
What are some of the weirdest donations you’ve had?
Kay: We get all sorts of stuff including wacky hats and wigs.
Lois: We’ve even had a couple of things that have made our volunteers blush!
Do people donate things of value?
Lois: Yes! Once we had a beautiful violin that we donated directly to a student in financial difficulties. Another time we had a significant painting that we donated straight to the art gallery.
Kay: There was also the time we received a pair of pants with $800 in the pockets, so I always stay to staff “Check the pockets!”. Obviously we did well on that one, but there would be plenty of times over the years that we’ve sold valuable things for a song.
How DO you manage the donations of things that could be genuine antiques?
Lois: Op shops are getting much more savvy over time.
Kay: We have a volunteer with some expertise in this area, and we always ask staff to put anything interesting aside. We have items that we’re not sure about evaluated by Small and Whitfield. One interesting one was a metal trench tin originating from World War One. It had French writing inscribed and contained handmade silver frames and was quite a find!
What is your easiest item to sell?
Kay: Ladies blouses and dresses, bric-a-brac and jumpers and coats in winter. Sometimes people from the plains get caught out when they visit Stirling. One man came in and said he was having a family picnic in the park, everyone was freezing and he needed 5 coats immediately! We got them sorted out. We also have a lot of customers for themed parties and fancy dress.
When is your busiest time?
Kay: We do a steady trade throughout the year. To be honest, it’s usually busiest when the shop’s due to close!
What are your biggest frustrations?
Lois: Unwashed and smelly clothes and stuff that’s obviously rubbish. We take the good with the bad, but a bit of care when making donations is always appreciated.
Kay: We’re very lucky that Council takes care of disposal for us. As a management committee we’re always exploring options to minimise landfill. What doesn’t make it onto the shelves is donated to Containers of Hope and is shipped overseas. (One of our volunteers) Lloyd takes lots of our men’s shoes, mugs and sleeping bags to Westcare for the homeless, and we have a mental health nurse volunteer who takes trackies and t-shirts for patients.
How do you decide on the prices?
Kay: We have the pricing guidelines on display and it’s ultimately at the discretion of the volunteer on duty.
Lois: We’re big softies when it comes to children though. I always say to them ‘Have you been good today?’ and then let them have it for pittance. The joy on their faces is enough reward!
Thank you to Lois, Kay and ALL of the volunteers at the Stirling Community Shop for your fabulous service to the community. You can show your support by shopping during the following hours:
Thursday: 9am to 3pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm
Saturday: 10am to 1pm
Stirling Laneways Sundays: 10am to 2pm
Your donated goods may be left at the shop when open, or in the collection bin located at the front of the shop.