Rotary Recycled Treasures

The Early Years

The first Rotary Recycle Op Shop was situated next to the Post Office at the junction of Elgar Road and Riversdale Road – where the Lions Op Shop used to be. We took possession in early May 2011.

With typical enthusiasm, the Rotary Club members did all the renovations – removing old shelving, filling all the holes in the walls, making good where the front air-conditioner had been installed and finally painting it all inside in a bright, off-white colour. Rotary Recycle traded at this location until the property owners decided to redevelop the site.

First Move...

After 3 successful years at in our shop next to the Post Office at 192 Elgar Road, Rotary Recycle moved to another shop close by at 1113 Riversdale Road. Our new shop has more floor area and easier access at the rear which provides greater flexibility for managing the shop. Sue Floyed a long-term volunteer, managed the Op Shop until late 2014, working hard establishing the shop and built up a loyal following with customers. Rotarian Sandy Kemp took over the management of the shop in late 2014 and has overseen wide-ranging changes to the shop and significantly increased the number of volunteers.

The Recent Years

2020 was the year of COVID and the shop was closed to walk-in customers for most of the year. However, Sandy and her hard working volunteers still managed to sell a significant value of goods via an on-line shop. In Jan 2021. after many years managing the shop very successfully, Sandy Kemp retired as manager, and the shop committee led by Annette Ferry, now handles the day-to-day running of the shop. We are indeed very fortunate to have such amazing volunteers!

What happens to the money raised?

Funds raised through the Rotary Recycle Shop are used to support various projects operated by the Box Hill Central Rotary Club including:

• Scholarships for local students attending Box Hill Institute of TAFE and Deakin University;

• Supporting the Whitehorse Men’s Shed providing support for elderly men;

• Eastern Emergency Relief Network who collect and distribute furniture to those who are in crisis or disadvantaged; and

• Operation Cleft – an amazing Rotary project that repairs cleft lips and palates for children in one of the poorest countries on earth – Bangladesh.

Goods Wanted

We always need good quality goods for sale. Both women’s clothing and bric-a-brac are popular in the shop, but most useful items are welcome if they are in good saleable condition. Unfortunately we can’t accept large items such as TV’s, computers or furniture. Items can be dropped off during opening hours, Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-1pm or left outside the shop – please use bags wherever possible not, cardboard boxes, as they’re hard to dispose of.

Box Hill Central Rotary Club

Box Hill Central Rotary Club meets for breakfast at 7:30am on Wednesdays at Tudor Motor Inn, 1101 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill. You can find out more about the club at: www.rotaryboxhillcentral.org.au