By Sonia Isaacs
MOOLOOLAH resident Di Chandler has been acknowledged for her long-standing commitment with the Mooloolah Community Centre at a recently held volunteer luncheon event. One of the original Mooloolah Op Shop ladies, Di has spent the last 12 years volunteering one day a week, and for many years has held a position as the Op Shop’s Thursday Day Manager. Now in her seventies, Di said that while she may have started working at the Community Centre run Op Shop in 2010, the concept of volunteering was not new to her, having first started her volunteer journey in her thirties when her children were still at primary school.
Di estimated she has spent over 30 years volunteering her time in various roles and positions and is an enthusiastic advocate of the benefits that come from volunteering; not only as a way of giving back to the community but equally as a way of enriching the lives of the individuals who contribute their time, knowledge, and involvement.
“As a volunteer I experience an incredible sense of satisfaction being able to serve and support my community, but it also allows me to meet new people, enjoy great companionship with other like-minded volunteers and gives me a great sense of purpose, especially since I retired,” said Di.
Di said she originally got involved with the Mooloolah Community Centre completely by chance when she had read about a book swap, publicised in what was then known as Glasshouse Country News, being organised at the Centre; and being an avid book lover had decided to head along.
“I hadn’t actually planned to become a volunteer, but I had turned up for the book swap and got chatting to the organiser, a lady called Dot Page who seemed a little overwhelmed by the concept, and so I just asked if she needed some help, and then from there the initial idea for somewhere for locals to pop in, grab a book and have chat evolved into the decision to set up an Op Shop,” explained Di.
Di said that she and her husband Rob had relocated to Mooloolah from Brisbane in 2002 and for many years didn’t have the opportunity to get to know people in town. She said that she had found with time on her hands she was keen to do something, and so when the prospect of volunteering to help set up the community op shop arose, she was happy to get on board.
“We initially started with extraordinarily little stock and a little cash tin. Soon after we started a relative of Dot’s had passed away and left a house full of beautiful items which we used to set up the shop, and then once the word got out the community started to bring in donations. At the time we wanted everything priced very cheaply with most items $2 and under and if we sold $20 worth of stuff, we thought it was a great trading day!” said Di.
The Mooloolah Op shop organically evolved over the years, and Di said she absolutely loved volunteering there, and that it had opened up a world of new friends and acquaintances, boosted her sense of everyday well-being, and was wonderful way to socialise and be involved in her local community.
“I would really miss it if I weren’t able to do this every week. It gives me a real sense of purpose and something to look forward to, and a reason to get up and get out. I always say if you have the time, come and volunteer as it will definitely improve your life!”
