Around Town | GV Hospice Op Shop: Three decades of giving

Aug 26, 2024

Past and present volunteers are the cornerstones of the op shop’s 30 years of success. Photo by Contributed

Volunteers have celebrated 30 years of the Goulburn Valley Hospice Op Shop in Shepparton.

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GV Hospice Care Service chief executive Wendy Ross thanked the volunteers and supporters for achieving the milestone and for playing a part in making the shop the success it is today.

Other guest speakers included former state Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell and Dr John Hetherington, who was a key driver and hands-on supporter of the first and subsequent op shop.

“It’s much more than a place to find affordable goods and bargains. For some, it is a place where disadvantaged and lonely people come for kindness and a friendly word,” Ms Ross said.

“We hear comments from our customers about the ambience, such as that it’s clean, they love the music, and there’s always a variety of stock that turns over quickly.”

The GV Hospice committee of management (past and present members) was also acknowledged by Ms Ross, for showing vision and support for the op shop along the way.

The shop opened in 1994 in Maude St before moving to Fryers St.
On Monday, August 15, 1994, the first day’s takings were $34.50, from 10 sales.
Over the 30 years it has had almost 200 volunteers, as well as schools and community groups, such as Connect GV, who are currently supporting the op shop.
The are 15 staff on site.

GV Hospice committee of management. Back row, from left, Dr Paul O’Dwyer, Rob Sands and Terri Cowley. Front, Dr John Hetherington, Les Young and Jeanette Powell. Photo by Contributed

Funds raised go to support the local community of palliative care patients who have a life-limiting illness.

GV Hospice has, on average, between 140 and 150 clients on its books, and more people need bereavement support.

The hospice is the only service providing a nurse on call who is known to patients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in our region — and one of only a few that provide this in the state.

A group of wonderful women. Back row, from left, team leader Nancy Sessions, Kimberly Dagger, Jan Harrop, Lyn Gilchrist and Glen Burdekin. Front, Darlene Finteln, Janine Brown, Joylene Sutherland and Barb Dougherty. Photo by Contributed

The Friends of Hospice catered for the event, which was attended by more than 50 past and present volunteers.

The theme for the day was ‘Op Shop Glam’, so all attendees wore clothes purchased at the op shop.

The table features were made up of items donated to the op shop by staff member Sharon Geraghty, who also works behind the scenes for Shepparton Theatre Arts Group.