L-R: Volunteers Sharon Ritchens, Mary Paton, Lyn Dyson and Maureen Skeet. Photo: Jon Hewson
Camera IconL-R: Volunteers Sharon Ritchens, Mary Paton, Lyn Dyson and Maureen Skeet. Photo: Jon Hewson Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson

Rockingham op shop urging the public back to find a treasue

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

ONE of Rockingham’s original and longest-running op-shops has seen a decline in patronage and its volunteers are urging locals to come back.

Starting out in the early 1970s the Uniting Church Op Shop relocated several times before settling in an old bungalow at 169 Parkin Street opposite the IGA supermarket.

Volunteer Maureen Skeet said the shop had been struggling.

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“People don’t know we are here – although on the main street it is somewhat tucked away,” she said.

“We are renowned as being the cheapest in Rockingham and would love people to come back.”

Run completely by volunteers whose ages range from 19 to 95, money raised is returned to the Rockingham community.

“We support Coastal Care Rockingham which cares for the homeless and disadvantaged in our local community and local and national disasters such as the recent farmers crisis in the Eastern States,” she said.

“We also support our WA bush fire appeals, plus the Royal Flying Doctor, School Chaplaincy Fund, Frontier Services, Christmas Bowl and maintaining the local parish in Waikiki, to name a few.”

The shop offers a diverse range of goods from clothing, books, bric-a-brac, household goods and even has a library and greenhouse with lots of cheap plants for sale.

They do accept donations of clothing, provided it is clean, and furniture but not mattresses.

At the rear of the property there is a men’s shed.

“It is run by male volunteers,” Ms Skeet said.

“We also upcycle goods – my husband turned an old washing machine into two fireboxes for people to use for outdoor fires and we strip metal to recycle from any unsaleable goods,” she said.

“We would like to invite the community to support us by visiting our premises, having a chat and finding a treasure.”