Op shop for the community

Warburton’s Community Op Shop is trading again after emerging from another lockdown.

The store has put a callout to help those in need who might be doing it tough after losing employment.

The store’s committee chairman, Charlie Pizarro-Gaultier, is a former social worker and holds concerns about the current situation developing in the area.

“About two years ago, I got the lease to this shop and I basically just wanted to bring back some thinking about the community and what we can do to help the community,” he said.

“During that time there was a lot of people down at the oval sleeping rough. I know from working in social work, there’s a lot of family violence and AOD (alcohol and other drug) use in this area.

“I’m a business owner, so I one-hundred per cent back development and bringing in tourism and jobs. But I also believe the community needs to be supported as well. We can’t just turn our back on them.”

Mr Pizarro-Gaultier shared that a new five year lease had been signed to continue the op shop’s trade, which sees some of the store’s profits donated to the Warburton CFA and the Upper Yarra Wildlife Rescue.

“I encourage people to come down. We are grassroots. We are here, all the money stays within the community. Anyone who needs provisions or needs a referral, just have a chinwag to someone here,” Mr Pizarro-Gaultier said.

“A lot of what we’re finding is that it’s basic provisions needed these days. A lot of single mums and parents, people that are homeless are coming in and we give them provisions. Blankets, plates, bowls, cutlery, just the basic needs. We’ve been getting a lot of that lately.

“It generally starts with a conversation. Someone comes in and they don’t have much money. The girls will ask, what’s your situation? If it’s a situation where someone is in real dire need, I have a few links with services and welfare organisations from my social work background.”

Mr Pizarro-Gaultier said he’d like to see all levels of government support the issue locally to see greater avenues for affordable housing as well as emergency accommodation.

“Good luck getting a private rental here, it’s so hard… There’s a big issue and it needs to be addressed.

“Some people are only ever one paycheck away from being homeless.”

Op shop manager Alison Pitt rents locally, but holds fears if her landlord decided to sell the property in a valuable market.

“I’ve been in the same one for 23 years in Warburton. I’ve been lucky with it, but if I lost it I’d be in trouble,” she said.

“I have actually applied for public housing because I am really worried I am going to lose it. There are so many properties where people are buying them and turning them into AirBnB’s because there is no cap on them in this area.

“I just have my fingers crossed that it doesn’t happen.”