Community
27 August, 2025
Community rallies behind op shop
THE Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop has been inundated with support after a volunteer’s iPad was stolen, resulting in thousands of irreplaceable family photos being lost.
The iPad belonged to one of the volunteers who used the device to post items online in a bid to increase sales for the charity.
Speaking with Western District Newspapers on the condition their name be withheld, the volunteer said they were devastated to lose cherished family memories which had been saved on the device.
“It was really disappointing,” they said.
“The iPad has over 1000 of my personal photos on it.
“It’s got my grandkids on there. I’m still upset. I want my photos back.
“They can keep the iPad if they want it but I just want my photos back.
“It’s an awful feeling – you try to do a good deed and this is what happens.”
Word spread of the theft throughout the community as the volunteers behind the op shop sought answers, which quickly resulted in an inundation of support.
Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop joint manager Barbara Cowley said it was warming to see so much support from the wider community.
Mrs Cowley said one resident had even made a $50 donation to put towards a new iPad for the volunteer.
“A man from Camperdown kindly donated an iPad to us,” she said.
“We’ve already purchased a new one for our volunteer, so now the one we have from the man in Camperdown will just be for the shop.”
The volunteer whose iPad was stolen agreed with the sentiment.
“I reckon it’s just great how much support we’ve gotten online,” they said.
“The person who left $50 over the weekend is the one I’m really grateful for.”
Mrs Cowley said the money for the replacement iPad came out of shop funds, which meant less could go back out into the community.
“It leaves a sort of nasty taste in your mouth to think our little business has been targeted – we feel violated,” she said.
“People who have given us donations to sell, the money their donations have made has gone to the replacement iPad, so the whole community loses out.
“We’re really well supported by the community with donations.
“I’m not surprised we got a lot of comments because people would be outraged, but I felt very appreciative of the support we have received.”
This was not the first time something has been stolen from the op shop.
Christmas decorations went missing one year but were promptly returned, which was a source of optimism the iPad may yet be returned.
“It was during Christmas, all our decorations disappeared overnight,” Mrs Cowley said.
“I did a post about it then the next morning they were all in a box at the front door.
“I wanted to post about the stolen iPad online so that people knew, or on the off chance someone had their conscience changed, like with the Christmas decorations.
“If anyone is desperate for anything, there’s no need to steal from us.
“We’ll give it to them. Just come and ask.”
Mrs Cowley said the theft would not prevent the op shop from continuing its great work in the community, a recent example of which was a donation of $1700 to Hampden P-12.
“The money was for a turtle tank,” she said.
“They were given a turtle and it only had a little tank, so now it’s got a nice big tank.
“We get the donations from the community so we can put back.”
Mrs Cowley said she hoped the iPad was soon returned so the op shop could get back to business as usual and continue doing what they do best – supporting those in the community who need it most.
Read More: Cobden