Florence Hudson is hanging up her boots after 16 years volunteering at Corowa Presbyterian ‘Revamped’ Op Shop.
Florence Hudson says now feels like the right time to call it a day after 16 years volunteering at the Corowa Presbyterian ‘Revamped’ Op Shop at the top of Sanger St.
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Florence is a vibrant woman who loved volunteering at Revamped and, after retiring last week, will leave with fond memories of her time there and the people she worked with.
“I started in 2010, working with a couple of other ladies,” Florence said.
“Then I took over managing the shop from 2012, working 40 hours a week; it was essentially a full-time job.
“I felt we had to do that to keep on top of things, because of all the donated drop offs, and organising the girls.
“But working a lot with friends made it easy.”
Florence’s biggest sense of pride came from the donations the Op Shop made because of its growth during her time there.
The Presbyterian Church took over the Op Shop the same year that Florence started and quickly expanded to take over the other shops in the building.
“Previously, they only had one small room, then we took another, and then the three down the end to take up the whole bottom floor of the building,” she said.
By 2017, the Op Shop was able to start donating to local causes, and to the end of 2025 had donated more than $190,000.
Donations have included a new mini movie theatre at the Corowa Nursing Home and a new CPR machine and upgrades to the emergency department at Corowa Hospital.
They have also made donations to Corowa Public School, and annual donations of up to $10,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“I just wanted to help raise some money for the church to start with,” Florence said.
“We built it up so well, and that's when you can give all those donations, which is the rewarding thing.
Florence with the ladies from Revamped at their end of year celebration last year.
“It was just good fun.
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting people, getting out there and helping people.
“And working with the girls has been good; it’s been hard work, and stressful at times, but it’s been good.”
She has much to look forward to in retirement, with sewing, gardening and other hobbies to direct her time, and in March she celebrates her 80th birthday.
And maybe, just maybe, she’ll do some other volunteer work, just not full time.
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