By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
BELYING the shelves of humble knick-knacks and racks of pre-loved clothes, the Berwick Opportunity Shop is a charity cash-raising powerhouse.
In its 50-year history, the volunteer-run shop has shelled out millions of dollars to scores of community groups.
Last year, the shop gave generously across 50 groups in Melbourne’s south-east, including to 20 fire brigades, three SES branches, disability groups, a hospital, a wildlife shelter, medical research institutes and a soup kitchen.
Ahead of the golden anniversary, president Margaret Ruse said she couldn’t publicly disclose the total donations for last year but “I can tell you it is a generous amount”.
She said the good-quality, well-priced stock moves quickly off the shelves and includes even unusual items such as hats made from birds.
“It’s the great people who support us the way they do which enables us to make generous donations.
“We work hard and all the money raised goes out to the community.
“The shop motto ‘From our community, to our community’ seems to accurately describe its purpose.”
Its 55 dedicated volunteers made the shop a great place to work, Ms Ruse said.
The shop had grown to be a “valued and notable” part of Berwick – despite its near-closure in the 1980s.
High rent and parking fees at the time were eroding any potential community dividends.
The shop thrived after it built its current premises on council land in Clyde Road in 1989.
The project was then supported by a bank loan, council grant and a donation from Lions Club of Berwick.
The shop was started in High Street – in the building occupied now by ANZ Bank – by George Rae and Bill Hudson in 1966 to help under-privileged people in the region and raise money to build senior citizens club rooms.
The shop celebrates its 50th birthday at Berwick RSL on 5 June from 2.30-4.30pm.
It is otherwise open at 3a Clyde Road, Berwick, from Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm, and Saturdays from 9am-noon.
