On May 19, a man fled through the garden after attempting to steal donated items, marking the twelfth break-in this year at The Op Shop in West Footscray
Manager Jason Smith has since lit a nightly fire and posted guards on site. “You do not protect a place like this unless you know what it gives to people,” he said.
The shop is packed with donated furniture, food, and clothes. Locals lineup every day, not just to receive but to give back. “This is not charity,” Jason said. “It is the circulation of community wealth.”
Each item has a story. A theatre costume became part of a free photo shoot, while a bag of groceries fed a struggling household. The Op Shop also provides support to people in the local community. Jason points to a picture of a young boy on the wall. “We still sponsor him,” he said. “He was abandoned. Now he is in school. The shop did that.”
Photos cover the walls; concerts, barbecues, exhibitions, and handwritten thank-you notes.
“These are the things we built,” said staff member Tina Barrass. Tina has volunteered at The Op Shop for five years. “There are no complicated forms here,” she said. “If someone needs help, we just help.”
Another volunteer is retired farmer, Kevin Martin, who built the garden, hosts weekend barbecues, and delivers furniture in his truck. “The pay is small but the joy is big,” Kevin said.
Ella Brown has chronic fatigue syndrome. On good days, she tends the garden beds. “This place makes me feel useful,” she said.
Volunteer Zin Nguyen plays piano in the community room. “It is quiet here. No one judges,” she said. Her daily walk always ends in the back garden.
Beyond providing goods, the shop educates locals about waste reduction and recycling. Workshops teach simple repairs and upcycling, turning old items into treasures.
After repeated break-ins and little police response, shop manager Jason lights a fire in the back garden and keeps watch overnight to protect The Op Shop.
Mother’s Day secondhand sale hosted by The Op Shop at My Carboot Market, IGA carpark, West Footscray.
Staff member Tina Barrass explains the photo wall inside The Op Shop featuring thank-you letters, photos of sponsored children, and snapshots from past events.
Volunteer Ella Brown, who lives with intermittent chronic fatigue syndrome, chats with staff member Tina Barrass at The Op Shop.
Zin Nguyen, a volunteer at The Op Shop, takes a peaceful walk in the backyard, soaking up the afternoon sun.
Volunteer and local farmer Kevin Martin leads a cheerful backyard gathering at The Op Shop, laughing as he grills and chats with the community.
At the entrance of The Op Shop, community members drop off donated furniture and supplies, showing their support for the local cause.
A community food bank at The Op Shop front counter offers free essentials under a sign that reads, “Take What You Need.”
The Op Shop’s photo studio, filled with donated costumes and props, offers free portrait sessions to community members year-round, especially during holidays.
Community members and volunteers chat in The Op Shop’s activity room as the Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari (centre of picture) visits one of the English conversation groups.
One of the artists in Gallery FiveNinetySix, during an exhibition hosted by The Op Shop, displays and sells their artwork as guests enjoy complimentary drinks.