Berwick Opportunity Shop’s motto is “From our community, to our community”, which seems an apt description given the shop's longstanding commitment to locals.
The shop has been on the streets of Berwick since 1966, and has been donating to local CFA brigades throughout this time.
There are currently 22 brigades that receive support from Berwick Op Shop, mostly located in the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, as well as a few in the Dandenong/Yarra Ranges.
Between 1989 (when records were first kept consistently) and the end of 2017, a total of $2,827,700 was donated. While some of this goes to other community organisations, the vast majority supports local CFA brigades.
“I think it’s very important that any money we get, it goes back into the community,” says Berwick Opportunity shop President Margaret Ruse.
“We get a lot of CFA people come in here because they know we support them. They’ll tell us they’re from this brigade or that brigade, and it’s nice having a chat about that.
“We’ve got one gentleman from the SES that volunteers here, and he seems to know everyone from CFA.
“We like supporting them because they’re volunteers, just like us.
“We don’t pay anyone here. Everyone does it out of the kindness of their heart for the community, that’s what its about.”
Over 60 volunteers currently help out at the shop, ranging from 23 to 86 years of age. The shop staff are always invited to fire brigades’ annual presentation dinners, something Margaret says they enjoy attending.
“We love attending the dinners because it puts a face to the brigades that you’re donating to.
“They are also very appreciative and it’s a lovely thing for them to do to invite us along.”
At a recent dinner, Assistant Chief Officer South East Region Trevor Owen was on hand to present a certificate of appreciation to the Op Shop (see photo below).
The following are CFA brigades that receive support from Berwick Opportunity Shop:
Berwick, Beaconsfield, Belgrave Heights/South, Clematis, Clyde/Cardinia, Cranbourne, Devon Meadows, Hallam, Hampton Park, Macclesfield, Maryknoll, Menzies Creek, Nar Nar Goon, Narre Warren, Narre Warren East, Narre Warren North, Officer, Toomuc, Tooradin, Tynong, Upper Beaconsfield and Warneet/Blind Bight.
Author: Tim McGlone & Keith Pakenham