Roundabout Op Shop an iconic Kincumber landmark

The Roundabout Op Shop at Kincumber has become an iconic landmark in the area and it’s mostly thanks to the band of merry volunteers who help run the shop for more than a decade.

While there are about 16 volunteers on the books – including 93-year-old Gwen Dennis – the committee that has kept everything shipshape for the past 12 years is run by four retired women, Bev Harvey, 84, Ruth Franklin, 77, Doreen Warriner 81, and Maxine Evans, 85.

Over those years, funds raised from the sale of goods at the op shop have supported many charities and the church.

“It’s a beautiful little shop with all the items donated by the local community and we get a lot of goods from local families whose parents are downsizing or have passed,” Bev Harvey said.

“While most of our volunteers are in their mid-80s, we’re never short on volunteers and have a good turnover.

“It’s a very popular shop. We have many loyal customers.”

Some of the charities supported over the years include Riding for the Disabled and the Brekkie Club at Kincumber High School.

Funding also goes towards supporting two local school children.

In June 2010 members of the Kincumber Uniting Church at Kincumber congregation met and were encouraged to embark on setting up an op shop in a little used shed in the church grounds.

Sorting and ironing were performed in the heritage cottage, but it was not an ideal situation – the shed was very hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

This was how it all started and it was so successful that organisers were soon looking to expand to make life more comfortable for customers and volunteers.

After a relocatable home was purchased, the doors of the newly renovated shop were opened in January 2012.

The shop, on the corner of Avoca Dr and Killuna Rd, stocks a good range of clothing and accessories, shoes, books, kitchenware, glass and bric-a-brac at very reasonable prices and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Denice Barnes