This week marks the fourth annual National Op Shop Week.
The week-long event highlights the community support work of hardworking Op Shop volunteers across the country.
Organisers are again urging the community to support their local charity Op Shop.
Last year, more than 70,000 Op Shop volunteers performed a variety of roles including collection, sorting, administration, management and fundraising.
The Melton Uniting Church Op Shop recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The Op Shop was established at a joint parish meeting discussing how to pay for the new manse. After the meeting, church members decided to fit out the old church into a community Op Shop.
The Op Shop’s current assistant manager Peter Swann said they were always on the lookout for worthy causes to support.
“Over the last two years we have stepped up our donations to the wider community with a Shop for the Kids day, the day before Good Friday,” he said.
“We give the day’s takings to the Cancer Council on the day we hold our Biggest Morning Tea.”
Since 2014, the Melton Op Shop has raised $3,136.65 for the Cancer Council and $3,383.75 for the Good Friday Appeal.
The Op Shop also holds regular fashion fundraising shows and recently established a new outreach program called the Mobile Op Shop which travels to retirement villages.
The Melton Uniting Church Op Shop and its many volunteers have seen a lot changes over the years but still continue to strive to serve the community in creative ways.
The 40th birthday of the Melton Uniting Church Op Shop was recently celebrated with all past and current volunteers invited to a lunch at the church.
“We had about 95 people come for the afternoon, which had speeches, a plaque reveal and awards to two volunteers who have served for 40 years,” Mr Swann said.
“During the lunch there were photos displaying how we have changed and what’s happened over the years.”
Image caption: The Melton Uniting Church’s longest serving volunteers Doreen Duncan and Anne Trigger and the recent 40 year celebration. Photographer Andy Swann
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