The Hunter River Times

Since it first began back in 1987, Singleton Op Shop has generously shared its profits with the community.

The annual presentation of cheques has been happening all this time so when The Hunter River Times was called to a presentation, we thought it was just for the story.

What followed brought our entire team to its knees.

Our newspaper, or should we say your newspaper, was one of the donation recipients.

The news rocked and shocked us. 

When the donation to The Hunter River Times was first mentioned, it received unanimous support from Singleton Op Shop volunteers at their meeting and in all honesty, validates why and what we are here for and that is the Upper Hunter communities of Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone and the surrounding areas.

Robyn Bendeich said the donation recognised the efforts The Hunter River Times goes to and that is to unite the Upper Hunter and deliver the stories people need and enjoy to read.

“We know how hard you all work and we just wanted to thank you,” Robyn said during the presentation.

To think that your local newspaper was included in the list of recipients is extremely humbling and to say there were a few tears is an understatement.

Others to receive donations were: Uniting Care Alroy and Elizabeth Gates; Cooinda Calvary Retirement; Wespac Rescue Helicopter Service; Singleton Hospital Auxiliary; Friends of Mercy Aged Care; Singleton Town Band; Singleton Public School Special Education; King Street Public School; Singleton Heights Public School; and the Womens Health Clinic.

All up Singleton Op Shop donated more than $67,000 to these community groups, the figure a little down on previous years but only because of the on and off closures of operations due to covid.

Robyn said the donations were made possible because of the continued support of the volunteers and the community.

The shop is located below the Masonic Hall Lodge and sells a variety of donated goods, much more than just clothing.

There are books, shoes, accessories, kitchenwares, games, you name it.

It is all carefully sorted in the back rooms before occupying space on the racks and shelves and now most of the donations are coming through the front door.

Sadly, they have had to shut the donation bins because of the poor quality of some of the items finding their way into the donation stream.

“You would be surprised at some of the items people would put in the bins and all we ask is that it is clean and in reasonable condition,” Robyn said adding that you can’t expect someone to wear something you wouldn’t be prepared to wear yourself.

“We would just like to thank the community for supporting us and we are so happy to be open again,” she said.