The McLaren Vale & Districts Volunteers Community Op Shop began as an extension of the Friends of the Hospital shop. Its origins date back to the 1950s when fundraising included regular garage sales, initially held near a large shed behind the hospital. Donated goods were sold from trestle tables every six months. Following changes within the hospital grounds, storage was moved to two adjacent sheds, allowing for an expanded display area. Barbecues sometimes accompanied these twice-yearly events.
A second-hand bookshop was later established in the Manning wing building, alongside craft facilities. The presence of a kitchen and toilets allowed members to take breaks as needed. Further expansion included two shipping containers in a separate fenced of area used for selling furniture and larger items.
Over time, the volume and variety of donations increased as more community members contributed. This growth led to the decision to open the Op Shop more regularly. Various schedules were tested before settling on the current opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, plus the first and third Saturdays, all from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Garage sales on hospital grounds became a popular fundraiser and later grew into a full-time Op Shop. As it expanded, three dedicated sheds were built for its operations, funded entirely by shop proceeds and with the construction project managed by a volunteer.
After the local hospital closed in 2023, our volunteers shifted focus. The Op Shop now supports community projects by providing grants and donating AEDs to centres and halls in the area.
McLaren Vale & Districts Volunteers Community Op Shop is managed by an annually elected volunteer committee. We welcome new volunteers to join our team.
The current committee includes:
If you’re interested in joining our team, we’d love to hear from you. Visit us during open hours or contact us via email to learn more.
