St. Paul’s Op Shop Prepares For New Management

After almost 20 years running the community’s much-loved St. Paul’s Op Shop, Chris Hinschen is preparing to retire from management and the St. Pauls Anglican Church are set to take over the role in the new year.

All current volunteers have already agreed to return, with Annette Pryce and Noreen Sainsbury announcing they will each assist a couple of days a week.

Saturday trading, has been trialled for several months and has become popular with visitors from as far as Mackay, Annette and Noreen say they will continue Saturday trading.

Chris’s final day will be on Friday 19th December, with the shop reopening on Monday 19th January under the new management.

Although the setup will remain largely unchanged, the church will now take on full overheads including rent, rates and insurance. Volunteers note that while prices remain affordable, the shop will now operate as a business to help fund essential costs such as the church roof repairs.

St. Pauls Anglican Church hope to expand the shop’s community focus by creating a welcoming space for conversation, coffee, sitting areas, pastoral care and support services in the future.

New volunteers are warmly invited, with even an hour of help making a difference. Contact Father Jeffery Akoai on 0458 451 230, Nerine Pryce on 0448 846 805 or Annette Sainsbury on 0409 417 180 to express interest or visit the Op Shop located on Dobbins Lane in Proserpine in the new year.

Donations will pause during the break to allow volunteers to prepare and avoid a backlog.

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Father Jeffery Akoai, Nerine Pryce and Annette Sainsbury at the St. Paul’s Op Shop in Proserpine. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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