Manager Debbie Watson
Debbie Watson is the Manager of the Rose Street Op Shop in Upper Ferntree Gully.
The money raised at the Op Shop supports Tamminya House, a motel style set of seven units that provide short term crisis accommodation for victims of domestic violence, single parents and their children.
“We have about 20 volunteers who donate their time to sort and accept donations and keep the shop tidy,” Debbie said.
“Some even work two to three days a week to help support us.
“We have a lot of customers that come from appointments at the Angliss hospital and they have to kill time in between.
“Of course we have our regulars that always come and have a chat.
“I feel that our shop has a lot of community focus.
“We listen to the customers stories and sometimes we are a connection that they don’t normally have in the community outside.
“We are still looking for volunteers so if anyone is interested please come in, doesn’t matter what sort of personality you’ve got come in and we’ll try it. If it works it works and if it doesn’t well that’s all good too because it will mean that we each learn something.”
Volunteer Glenda Hillis
Glenda Hillis discovered the Op Shop after realising that her days were unplanned and she was feeling a bit lost.
“I had nothing and I thought I need to do something,” she said.
“So I walked around the corner asked if the Op shop needed a volunteer and then started the next day.
“That was eight years ago and ever since it’s been fantastic.”
“We have a lot of really amazing donations come in and we need to honour those donations as best we can.
“The really good donations I sell on Ebay and make more money for the charity. In the last 4-5 years we’ve made $32,000 for Tamminya House.
‘’My Granddaughter is 12 and she has been coming here for four years volunteering in the school holidays so she absolutely loves it. Everyone asks how old she is and she’ll always say have a lovely day!”
