By Tanya Steele
Foothills Community Care has formally opened its second op shop in Tecoma celebrating with community and volunteers alike.
Saturday 10 August saw the community gathered for the opening of the much-loved op shop as it officially changed hands in Tecoma.
Previously operated by Parents without Partners (PwP) the store has been ‘softly’ opened since 6 May.
Foothills Community Care chief executive officer Stephen Barrington said the opening was a festive atmosphere.
“It’s been amazing and fantastic seeing people come into the shop after we reopened, it hasn’t lost its feel and vibe from the past – but there’s more space,” he said.
Mr Barrington credits store manager Sandy Kemp – who also manages the Foothill’s sister op shop in Mountain Gate.
“We want to pay tribute to her, she was part of the rebranding and has made it into a beautiful space,” he said.
The event was attended by members of the community, board members, volunteers, Monbulk State Member Daniela De Martino and Yarra Ranges Councillors Johanna Skelton and Andrew Fullagar.
Thane Garvey from the Wurundjeri Tribe land corp spoke the Welcome to Country on the day and there were also speeches, along with a free sausage sizzle and coffee cart on site.
Daniela De Martino said the Foothills Community Care’s op shop in Tecoma is a wonderful sustainable enterprise supporting their vital food programs.
“Whilst raising much-needed funds to help care for those in our community really doing it tough, op shops are also environmentally responsible – encouraging recycling of goods and clothing,” she said.
“The staff and volunteers at Foothills are truly marvellous people and I am always proud to support them in their work.”
Councillor Johanna Skelton said that the opening of the shop is important for the region in many ways.
“Foothills Community Care are such a respected group with volunteers cooking meals (including using donated food), serving beautiful meals, serving in the op shops, and importantly caring for everyone in their community,” she said.
“As Thane Garvey, Wurundjeri representative, said, in the Welcome to Country, you can never have too much kindness and respect.”
A process a few years in the making, Foothills Community Care had previously taken over the operation of an op shop in Mountain Gate in June 2022, making the Tecoma space their second op shop acquisition.
Mr Barrington said that his organisation knew the shop and knew it was a fantastic part of the community.
“We approached them with a few options and we’re incredibly thankful to PwP for having the vision to start the shop there,” he said.
“It’s the perfect timing for us to add a second op shop onto our social enterprise arm.”
“Unfortunately, they (PwP) were not in a place to continue.”
PwP had been operating in the area since 1982 but shut its doors on Monday 18 March due to volunteer and financial issues.
“I was very sad to see Parents Without Partners Op shop close in this location, but it is great to see that local families will still be supported through Foothills Community Care,” Ms Skelton said.
Foothills Community Care has refurbished the space and Mr Barrington said the formal opening was a time to celebrate and formally see it.
“We’d already had great trade coming through,” he said.
“I thank all Foothills staff and volunteers for getting yet another impressive project off the ground,” Ms Skelton said.
Mr Barrington said they are always on the lookout for volunteers.
“If you are interested, we would be more than grateful to speak to you,” he said.
