3 minute read
Seaside Seconds seeks volunteers
By Marianne Messer
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Do you need a ball of wool, a can opener, a serving platter or a warm jacket? Anglesea’s ‘Department Store’ Seaside Seconds, has all that … and so much more!
Do you have a cupboard full of towels you don’t want? Seaside Seconds will happily take them and find them a new home. For decades our beloved local op shop has been meeting the recycling and consumer needs of our community. Now Seaside Seconds needs us. A combination of COVID lockdowns and our ageing population has impacted volunteer numbers for community organisations and the op shop is no exception. So, if you are able to give a couple of hours a month, here’s why you might consider volunteering at this little shop with a big heart.
Everyone wins
Consider the lifecycle of a $40 book. You read it, you maybe share it with someone else, and then it sits on your shelf. Or, you donate it to Seaside Seconds. Someone else pays $3.50 for it, enjoys it, then donates it back, someone else buys it … and on it goes. Every dollar spent goes back into the community – either meeting operational costs for a tourist destination or supporting local needs. Every day, through recycling resources, Seaside Seconds benefits our environment. By taking and reusing excess, it helps the donors, the shoppers, and the community. It provides a fun working environment for volunteers, gives jobs to locals and work experience for our town’s young people. According to part-time employee Kim: ‘You don’t need to be a church member, or have any particular skills. Just a love of your community, a willingness to serve and a sense of fun.’ ‘I love meeting and connecting with everyone that comes in and finding bargains!’ said volunteer Kathy Varney. Dave Morris agreed: ‘It’s speaking with customers I enjoy. Hearing their stories, sometimes answering questions like what is the safest beach for my young family to swim at?’ So come join the happy band of volunteers that keep the little shop with a big heart open. To find out more call in and chat to manager Bec Goodman. Check our Facebook for current opening hours. If you can’t volunteer you might consider donating a tip voucher. The Op Shop has to pay for the disposal of donated goods unsuitable for sale.
Seaside volunteers from left: Kathy Varney, Jan and Dave Morris
70th anniversary celebrations!
By Raelene Fordham
Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club (ASLC) will be celebrating its 70th anniversary later in 2022. To commemorate the event, the club is planning to have a weekend of celebrations and reminiscing on 4, 5 and 6 November. Since our humble beginnings from a small tin shed in the sand dunes, to a new club building with one of the best views on the Surf Coast, Anglesea’s membership has also continued to grow to become one of the largest clubs in Victoria and indeed Australia. Two years of COVID interruptions has not dampened the enthusiasm for locals and visitors to become Anglesea SLSC members, and this year we reached nearly 2000 members. The 70th anniversary will provide a great opportunity for present and past members to come together and acknowledge the contributions of so many, all of who have contributed to what is and what will be the Anglesea SLSC well into the future. The club has also regained its reputation as a major strength in surf competition. This year we were very proud to celebrate success in both the Victorian and Aussie titles, from Nippers all the way up to our Master competitors. If you are not a member and have always wondered in what way you can get involved in the club, we have a range of entry points for new members. One of the most popular is through Nippers. In fact, this past year, ASLSC has once again supported a local Nipper program, called School Term Nippers, with four sessions hosted in term 4 of the school year, with a final four sessions hosted in term 1 of the next school year. Keep an eye out for registrations later in the year via the club website. Another type of popular membership is the Social Pass for those over 18 years. This is a non-participant membership, so no lifesaving required, however, it does connect you with the club, as well as other likeminded members and you are also financially supporting the club. The club welcomes any and all to connect with us – there are so many things here you can participate in – don’t hesitate to stop by, call us on 5263 1107, drop us an email at info@angleseaslsc.org.au or go to our website www.angleseaslsc.org.au.
