Boorowa Op Shop gives back $55,000 to local community

PICTURED: Representatives of the 14 recipient organisations of the 2024-25 Boorowa Community Op Shop proceeds.

The Rotary Club of Boorowa’s volunteer-run op shop has once again turned donations and hard work into lasting community impact, distributing $55,000 to 14 local groups. Since opening in 2017, the shop has given more than $267,000 back to the town it serves.

$55,000! That’s how much the Boorowa Community Op Shop gave out to 14 local charities and community groups on Sunday 24 August.

Opened on 27 July 2017, coordinated by the Rotary Club of Boorowa, NSW, and staffed completely by volunteers, the shop has a unique method of distributing its annual proceeds.  Each volunteer can nominate a local charity or community group they wish to support and the total hours they put in over a year becomes the proportion of nett proceeds donated to that particular charity or group.

These groups, chosen by the volunteers, reflect the wide range of needs and opportunities in the community and the Rotary Clun of Boorowa and the op shop are proud to support them.

It’s this shared spirit of giving, both time and resources, that makes the op shop such a success. Together, volunteers and community, you make a real and lasting difference.

Over the past eight years, the shop has become much more than just a store – it has become a place where generosity, community spirit and hard work come together to create real impact.

Op Shop Committee Coordinator and 2025-26 Boorowa Rotary President, Ilze Myburgh, sent a heartfelt message on the day of the cheque presentations, thanking the volunteers and community alike.

PICTURED: Thirteen of the more than 20 Boorowa Community Op Shop volunteers.

“To our wonderful volunteers, the many hours you give, the effort you put in and the kindness you show are the heartbeat of the op shop. Without your dedication, none of this would be possible,” Ilze said. “And of course, along the way, there have been plenty of funny and sometimes bizarre moments that make volunteering such a unique and rewarding experience.

“I also want to thank our community for your ongoing generosity.  Every donation you give – big or small – helps us stock the shop and, more importantly, helps us make a difference to all our customers. It’s this shared spirit of giving, both time and resources, that makes the op shop such a success.

“Together, volunteers and community, you make a real and lasting difference. We are deeply grateful. Thank you.”

August’s distribution of funds brings the total amount the op shop has shared with the local Boorowa community over the past eight years to more than $267,400! A huge input into the community.