Community
4 February, 2026
TOPS give their support
TIMBOON Opportunity Shop (TOPS) have been busy over the summer and recently donated linen in support of bushfire-affected areas, proving their vital importance to the community.
With fires raging across the south west as temperatures soar, TOPS coordinator Brenda Parfett said the op shop was happy to get on board and support the donation drive.
“Red Cross were the ones that were organising it,” she said.
“They asked for donations of linen.
“We don’t usually follow up.
“We don’t know where it goes or who distributes it – we just donate what we can.”
TOPS volunteer Maureen Clements said she knew where some of the donations had gone in the past.
“They use them for animals, like those kind of things, for rescued wildlife,” she said.
Mrs Parfett said the op shop has been very busy at this time of year, with visits from holidaymakers and locals alike.
“Whether looking for summer wear, wet suits, bathers, shorts and all leisure clothes, or the work clothes we have in abundance – all this includes footwear for all feet,” she said.
“Volunteers have been kept busy with donations of goods coming in and this is the usual at this time of the year.
“Volunteers often open our op shop on holidays and weekends, and this is extra time given to our community
“All the money we make goes back to the community.”
Mrs Parfett said TOPS have made some donations to other community groups and are currently stocked on school uniforms.
“We have been able to help a Port Campbell Children’s Group, and Heytesbury Show attraction Wildlife Xposure,” she said.
“It will show and tell people about reptiles and have interaction with children.
“Return to school clothes have been selling well, which includes uniforms for Timboon P-12, Mercy Regional College and all Camperdown and Cobden schools.”
While TOPS are happy to take any and all donations, Mrs Parfett said the op shop would appreciate if donations were of an acceptable quality.
“I think you’ve got to have good quality stuff – we do, but we do get some rubbish, we get some dirty clothes but it’s very minimal,” she said.
“I would like to make it clear that we only accept clean goods whether they are clothes, shoes or toys.
“And no broken articles as we cannot sell them.”
TOPS make the most of what they have and volunteer Jean Giblett said they often find ways to recycle everything, even if they are unable to sell it.
“If we get a lot of rubbishy stuff like sneakers, Rebel in Warrnambool take those,” she said.
“They love them, they can be dirty – they’ll take old sports equipment too.
“We can take glasses to Specsavers and we can take flower pots up to Cooinda in Terang.
“Anything that looks a bit grotty, we don’t throw out, we can take it somewhere else.
“There’s other recycling things we can do, we can pass it on.”
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