Plenty of ‘opportunity’ at Loch

LOCH’S community continues to benefit from funds raised by popular op shop Opportunity Lochs, with the store’s operators keen to increase its band of enthusiastic volunteers.

That would allow Opportunity Lochs to open more often than its current Friday to Sunday 10am to 4pm hours, enabling it to fund more, and potentially larger, community projects.

A long-term ambition of the Loch Community Group, which runs the store, is to establish a local community hub funded by the shop’s profits.

Such an ambitious project may become viable with increased hours of operation for Opportunity Lochs and resultant larger profits.

The store opened in November 2019, with its founders Rebeka Axon and Donna Sullivan inspired by the previous community-minded work of Roma Jenkins.

Ex-teacher, Roma operated a shop in Loch selling second-hand items, and relished contributing to local causes.

That included initiatives such as providing free books to budding young readers, as well as assisting many community groups.

Roma passed away in 2017.

With no op shop operating in Loch, Opportunity Lochs was initially intended to raise funds for Loch Primary School, which its founders’ children attended.

However, while the school benefits from money generated by the shop, the volunteer-run venture quickly became a contributor to the broader community.

All profits are channelled into local causes and projects.

So successful was the shop from the outset, that within a year it outgrew its original premises, making a move to the local Masonic Lodge.

Loch Primary School recently received funding for its arts program through the op shop.

That will help the school continue running programs such as street art, something that attracts visitors to the town.

Loch Community Group also provides grocery vouchers to the school that are then distributed to families in need.

Partially funding the installation of a water fountain in the local park in a joint initiative with South Gippsland Shire Council, and donating to the town’s

CFA are just a couple of broader community benefits the shop has delivered.

Opportunity Lochs has also assisted local families, providing essential items after their properties were destroyed by fire.

As well as her role in founding Opportunity Lochs, Rebeka is president of the Loch Community Group.

She explained the current volunteer recruitment drive is about more than increasing opening hours at Opportunity Lochs and funding further community initiatives.

It’s also a chance for volunteers to broaden their social horizons after the constrained lifestyle of the last couple of years.

“It’s to encourage people to come back out and be part of the community, and what better way to do that than through volunteering,” Rebeka said.

You don’t need to be able to contribute large blocks of time.

Three-hour shifts are available, and there is flexibility to do shorter shifts if required.

Of course, those wishing to work longer hours are welcome to do so.

Volunteers can choose how often to work, be it weekly, monthly or somewhere in between.

All are welcome to volunteer.

“We want to extend that invitation to the community, young, old, people who have disabilities, they are all welcome to join our fabulous team,” Rebeka said.

Anyone considering becoming part of Opportunity Lochs supportive volunteer group is encouraged to call Loch Community Group committee member Gill Taylor on 0401 927 065.