By Rosemary Crowley
It came out of the blue that the Yarra Junction Op Shop was to close.
In December, some of the volunteers enjoyed a Christmas luncheon at the Home Hotel, celebrating their work of 2024.
As was always the case, they had distributed goodies in the form of grants to many local community groups and sporting clubs, never anticipating that these would be their last.
For over 50 years the Op Shop had operated, firstly supporting the Yarra Junction Bush Nursing Hospital, until its closure in the 1990’s.
It was then that it became the Yarra Junction Community Op Shop.
To some, it was a welcome meeting place.
To others it was a wondrous wardrobe, a recycler of unwanted goods, a collector’s haven or a source of much needed income for community services and facilities.
Whatever it provided, in whatever decade, you could be assured of friendly service from their many volunteers.
This may be a belated thank you, but a very necessary one.
The Community wishes you all a well-earned rest.
You played a vital role in our community, and you are missed.
