Tourists dedicate labour for love

What one man throws out, another will most certainly want to buy, especially at the Broome Uniting Church Op Shop, which survives, during the dry season, because of a special type of tourist.

Eric Harding, of Perth, comes to Broome for three months of the year, but not for the usual reasons.

“I’m not a tourist. I tried it once, playing golf one day and fishing the next, but I only lasted a couple of weeks; I was bored out of my mind, and left,” Mr Harding said.

When he did return, he found volunteering a worthwhile pursuit, first at Bran Nue Dae aged care facility – over a period of 10 years – and now as part of a group of part-time residents who dedicate chunks of each week to the op shop.

Arch Speight said he and his wife Bev came up to Broome every year to help, “and for the weather”, he winked. Mrs Speight said they were connected to the Uniting Church and liked to be able to help wherever they were.

“We didn’t feel comfortable coming and spending 3-4 months doing nothing,” Mrs Speight said.

“The Lord’s been good to us and we feel we’d like to keep giving back.” Local volunteer Angela Pethick said during a busy period for locals, they helped with maintenance, sales and welcoming customers – getting cups of tea or coffee and chatting with them over morning tea.

This allowed the shop to continue sorting through the many boxes of stock sent from the Uniting Church in Adelaide, either for sale, or to be sent to those in need in remote communities.

Uniting Church minister Peter Batchelor said help from the travelling volunteers was invaluable.

“The op shop wouldn’t survive without their help,” he said.

“The contribution they make goes a long way for the community, even though not many people know about it.”