After 11 years of dedicated service, Florence Hudson retired as manager at the end of January. Rev Richard Keith, minister of Corowa Presbyterian Church, has stepped into the manager's role while the shop recruits and trains new volunteers to continue Revamp's community mission.
"The continuing success of Revamp is a real credit to Florence's passion and drive," said Rev Keith.
"She made herself available every day and with her retirement we realise that no one person can fill her shoes, so we'll have to work more as a team and inspire new volunteers to keep the good work going."
Rev Keith brings 30 years of experience in recruiting and leading volunteers, but despite his experience, he acknowledges the learning curve ahead.
"I've been in the position for a couple of weeks and there's a lot to learn, believe me," he said.
"But what really inspired me to keep going is the experience and pride of our continuing volunteers in the work they do for their community."
Supporting the community
The $15,000 donation to the Rural Fire Service will fund upgrades to equipment on their fire trucks and improvements to RFS facilities at Corowa Airport.
It will be shared between Hopefield, Redlands, and Federation Support Brigades. The decision comes in the wake of grass fires in the Whitehead Street Wetland in late November and early January, which damaged crops and came dangerously close to homes.
"At Revamp we pride ourselves in supporting local projects that do real, tangible good for the local community and showing Jesus' love in practical ways to our neighbours," Rev Keith said.
“The recent fires in the wetlands really opened my eyes to the vital work the RFS does.
That’s when I decided to reach out to a friend in the firies and ask how we, as a shop, could help."
Federation Group Captain Greyd'n Davis praised the donation as “a remarkable show of community spirit”.
About Revamp Op Shop
Revamp Op Shop serves the Corowa community by recycling donated goods to raise money for the church and local community projects. The shop is open six days a week at the top end of Sanger Street, opposite D'Amicos Italian Restaurant.
Throughout March, all summer clothing will be 50 per cent off as the shop transitions to winter.
"A lot of the women's clothes are in new condition, even with the tag still on," Rev Keith said.
Supporting local causes
Revamp has a strong track record of supporting vital community services. In addition to the RFS donation, the shop will make its annual donation to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne at Easter.
The shop is calling on the community to donate warm clothing in good condition. Donations can be brought in during open hours or left on the shop doorstep.
"Right now, our particular need is winter clothes,” Rev Keith said.
"You have to remember that many of our clients can't afford new things and they are the most vulnerable people in the community when the cold hits."
The shop also welcomes new volunteers who want to contribute to the community mission and help continue Florence's legacy of service.
