THE Southern Mornington Peninsula Uniting Church has donated $20,000 to Southern Peninsula Community Support through the proceeds of their Dromana Welcome Centre Op Shop, with a commitment to direct all future proceeds to the organisation.
The op shop has been running since 1998, originally from a small premises in Rosebud. When Covid made the rent unaffordable, the shop relocated to a former church building in Dromana, which the congregation renamed the Welcome Centre.
The building now houses four playgroups, a drop-in morning tea and Soup and Chatter program on Fridays, and a Wednesday osteopath service for health and pension card holders. The op shop occupies a section of the old hall, which Jan, a Monday volunteer and church council property officer, describes as “large and bright.”
“Our ethos has evolved to the extent that we now say any money we raise must go to SPCS because they are the people who are doing the heavy lifting in our community,” said Jan.
The church has pledged a minimum of $40,000 annually to SPCS, with donations from Friday lunches, special collections and fundraising stalls potentially pushing that figure higher.
SPCS fundraising relationships coordinator Kera Zaltsberg said the $20,000 would go directly towards food and emergency relief programs, including the organisation’s Food Voucher Appeal.
“These vouchers provide individuals and families with immediate access to essential groceries, fresh food, fuel and basic necessities during times of crisis,” said Kara.
She said demand for support was growing across the Southern Peninsula, with working families, older Australians and people who had never previously sought help now reaching out.
“Every day we are supporting locals facing impossible choices between paying rent, electricity bills or buying food,” she said.
The op shop currently runs five days a week, reduced from six days before Covid due to a shortage of volunteers. Hall said more volunteers would allow hours to be extended.
“With more volunteers we could extend our hours, probably double our sales and double our donations – it would be a win for the community,” she said.
Retired op shop coordinator Judith, who held the role for 20 years, said the shop’s impact on the local community was felt in small but meaningful moments.
“I love October and November when senior students are looking for formal clothes for their celebration nights,” said Judith.
“They know the prices of new items and are thrilled with our op shop value.”
Volunteers take on a range of roles, from sorting and pricing donations out the back to working on the shop floor and acting as key holders responsible for managing the day’s operations.
To celebrate National Volunteers Week, the Welcome Centre will host a special lunch on Friday 22 May at 11:30am, where volunteers will receive a gift and certificate of appreciation. New volunteers are welcome to attend to learn more about getting involved.
For more information visit: unitingchurchatrosebud.org
First published in the Mornington News – 19 May 2026
