What is Tieri Community Caring Shop?

We’re a second-hand, not-for-profit shop that’s been in Tieri for over 20 years. We began as the Catholic Caring Shop when Dell Doyle started running it from the Church.

When we had our kids back in 2009, me and a girlfriend, Keeley, used to go down and get clothes for our boys. There was so much stuff, all packed into boxes. We used to help Dell carry it all out and set it up.

The money raised from the sale of the items went to Cathy Truloff at the Servo, and she would give it to the Catholic Churches around town to support their parishioners.

As word grew, more and more people began donating items, to the point where the store room at the church was full to the brim! Cathy approached Town Services and asked if they could help. They secured us a house at 19 Bradman Street, and on 2nd April, 2018 we opened the doors to our new location.

I had become more involved by that point, and with the welcome help of Maree and John Love, we moved everything from the Church to the house.

We set it up to reflect the rooms in a normal house. So, all kitchenware for sale is in the kitchen, toys are in the kids’ room, and so on. There’s a baby room, a ladies’ room, a men’s room, a knick knacks room, and more! It makes for a really pleasant browsing experience and people come from Capella, Middlemount and Dysart to enjoy it.

What can people expect to find for sale in the shop?

Everything and anything! From school uniforms to sports uniforms; prams for the kids to prams for the dolls; books to baby items; crockery to clothing. If you need it, chances are, we’ll have it.

How does it work?

People come in, have a look around and load up a bag with whatever they want or need. Whatever the items, they pay $5 for a standard bag or $10 if it’s a much bigger bag. All money received is documented and saved to donate to a cause.

Where does the money go?

 All the money stays within the Tieri community. When Cathy left in 2019, I took over the financial side. Most of our money goes to local families who are in need or are going through hardship, whether that’s the loss of a family member, illness, or struggling to make ends meet. It’s a privilege to be able to provide whatever support we can.

Aside from local families, we’ve also donated to the local daycare, kindy, and playgroup, and bought much-needed equipment for Capella High. Every year we donate to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, and we work closely with Kath Hema at CTM LINKS to donate specific items to members of the community as needed.

We’ve been able to donate to Colour Run fundraisers, Share the Dignity, and to children in the community participating in the World’s Greatest Shave for the Leukemia Foundation. We’ve ‘paid it forward’ to members of the community, given cash donations to CTM LINKS, and provided money to buy supplies for Capella High School children in need of uniforms or school items.

How much have you raised and donated?

We have a ledger that tracks all money coming in and going out. Since October 2019, thanks to the generosity of people in our community who have either donated items to, or bought items from the Tieri Community Caring Shop, we have been able to raise $6000-$8000 and give it to those in need. So please reach out if you know someone in need.

What have you learned through your involvement with the Tieri Community Caring Shop?

That people are always so willing to support the local community in whatever way they can.

How can the community support the shop?

Come in and buy something – there’s plenty to choose from! You can also donate items to us. There are two tables set up under the carport at the shop, just leave the stuff there and we’ll sort it out. Any donations need to be clean and in working order.

What do you love about living and working in Tieri?

That the money from our sales goes to the people who need it. I love being able to help people in the community. In this line of work, so much of the joy comes from the people that you meet: whether it’s donors dropping off items, the regulars coming to browse, or the people we donate to.

In case anyone missed it, where are you located?

19 Bradman Street, Tieri.

For more information visit the Tieri Community Charity Shop?