IT’S been nearly 10 years since the popular Bus Stop Recycle Shop opened and this year, they have given out more than $49,000 worth of grants to the community, the first major distribution of funds since COVID.
Carol Barton started the shop as a way of raising funds for a new bus with facilities for two wheelchairs after spending years as a nurse and support worker with North Haven and Baptcare.
The business derived its name from that, but is now well known for the extensive array of toy and model buses on display as you approach the counter.
Over the last four years the group of nearly 40 volunteers has managed to pay for the building and built a new shed at the back for overflow, storage and a workspace at a cost of more than $360,000.
Ms Barton said that the support from the community has been phenomenal and now the buildings are paid for, all monies raised will go back into the community, with the buildings a community asset.
“Because we give back to the community, people support us,” Ms Barton said.
“I am very determined to make it work, and I have all these lovely people that come and help me make it work. None of us get paid.
“It’s good for everyone to have something to do.”
Volunteers are even unravelling old knitted goods to reuse the yarn and donate to North Haven for their knitting groups.
Volunteer Janice Williams has been with the group from the beginning and said that the shop had just about everything.
“We have jewellry, art, shoes, hardware and even fishing stuff,” Ms Williams said.
“You name it we are likely to have it.”
One volunteer sews for the group and has made more than 6,000 customer bags over the years, another takes care of plants and garden supplies and another tests and tags electrical items.
The group have customers that travel from far and wide. They have had comments from the people travelling through that ‘it’s the best op shop in Victoria’.
