Coloured photograph of the Lion's Blackburn Opportunity Shop, Mitcham Road, Blackburn, just north of the railway line. The other road in the photograph is Railway Roadlion's opportunity shop, blackburn, opportunity shops

Edna Barrie founded the Church Opportunity with Maisie Robinson in 1975 in the Melton South Methodist Church building. Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Melton had combined severing their long held connection with Bacchus Marsh. A Manse had been recently built for the Melton Minister. At a Parish Committee meeting at the Melton South Church it was suggested to use the building as an Opportunity Shop. It opened in July 1975, and it raised $1,600 contribution to the church budget in 1976. In 1977 The Uniting Church in Australia was formed and the Melton South Uniting Church Opportunity shop continued to go from strength to strength expanding the buildings providing the welfare needs of the community. Melton Uniting Church Opportunity Shop, view from Brooklyn Road.churches

The Society conducted a heritage excursion "Eltham War Memorials Walk" on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in conjunction with the centenary commemorations of the First World War. This walk involved visiting a number of memorials along Main Road dedicated to locals who served Australia in times of war including the Roll of Honour located in the Uniting Church Hall which also serves as the Opportunity Shop, which had once operated out of the former CBA bank building next door.activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall, 2016-05-07

1960s, ballarat, church, opportunity shop, eureka st

The opportunity shop was established by volunteers to raise funds for groups as listed. The shop was in Enterprize Way, Mitcham on land once occupied by White's Hay & Corn Stores. It was a successful venture and ran for many years.Badge 1 - Opportunity Shop - Vermont - Maroondah (V.M.H.) Hospital Auxiliary (Green). Badge 2 - Opportunity Shop - Church & Life (C&L) Community Aid Abroad Badge 3 - Community Aid Abroad (C.A.A.) Opportunity Shop (Blue) Badge 4 - Opportunity Shop - Nunawading - Maroondah Hospital (N.M.H.) (White) Badge 5 - Opportunity Shop. Vermont Church Community Aid (V.C.C.) (Yellow)Mitcham Opportunity Shopnumismatics, badges

Melton Uniting Church Opportunity Shop volunteers standing at the cleared site. A week after the demolition of the old church.churches, local identities

A newspaper article on the Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A newspaper article on the Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria. The article talks about the finding and opening of new premises for MOPS after their previous premises was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.marysville, victoria, marysville opportunity shop, mops, 2009 black saturday bushfires, newspaper article

A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.marysville, victoria, mops, marysville opportunity shop

A group of colour photographs of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A group of colour photographs of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.marysville, victoria, mops, marysville opportunity shop

Colour photographs of a celebration at MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.Colour photographs of a celebration at MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria. Plaque presented in recognition of Joy Gould's hard work for MOPS at a MOPS birthday party celebration.Plaque was in aid of Joy Goulds/ hard work for MOPS. L to R./ Alison Wooland, Debbie Sund/ Andrew Schreudermarysville, victoria, mops, marysville opportunity shop

A lease agreement for the former premises of the Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A lease agreement for the former premises of the Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.marysville, victoria, marysville opportunity shop, mops

A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.marysville, victoria, mops, marysville opportunity shop

A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.A colour photograph of MOPS-Marysville Opportunity Shop in Victoria.marysville, victoria, mops, marysville opportunity shop

Colour photograph of Church Opportunity Shop, Main Road Eltham, former CBA Bankeltham, main road, opportunity shop, banks, buildings

In the early l 970's , when our population was increasing rapidly and resident ministers were needed at both Melton and Bacchus Marsh, and after discussion between both denominations over many months a decision was reached , that in both areas they would unite and be known as Methodist - Presbyterian joint parishes. In 1972 Ministers were appointed, and Melton's minister occupied one of the Bacchus Marsh Manses during the building of Melton's church residence in Y uille Street. Services were held at Scots Presbyterian Church Melton. Youth Club and church meetings were held in the Methodist Church at Brooklyn Road, Melton South. At a joint Parish Committee Meeting held in May 1975 at Melton South - a major item of business was finance, to meet the repayments on the recently built Church Manse and the minister's Stipend. The meeting closed without any solution to this problem being made. As the men restacked the chairs Maisie and I viewed the building with the possibility of opening an Opp Shop on the premises. We then made the suggestion to the other members and during the forthcoming weeks investigations concerning the feasibility of this idea were made, volunteers recruited and the shop opened in July 1975. The first contribution to the Church funds of $1,600 was made in 1976 and was followed by regular contributions to the church budget each year. In 1981 a 30'x 20' steel garage costing $2,000 was erected adjacent to the original Methodist Church to provide more space. Meanwhile an Opp Shop was opened in Melton Markets and operated from 1981 to 1985. Further accommodation was needed at Yuille Street and the Atco Hall was installed at the rear of the Bluestone Church (known as Melton Uniting Church - 1977). A large proportion of finance for this project was contributed by the Opp Shop $16,000. Simultaneously finance was being built up to provide further facilities at Brooklyn Rd, resulting in the commencement of a concrete block masonry and steel extension, with facilities & fittings, being commenced during 1986 & completed in 1989. The approximate total cost of this structure was $60,000. Over the 16 years, members and friends of our church have contributed many many hours to staff the shop and many other supportive works. As an acknowledgement of their efforts, our Minister prepared Certificates for Service and Dedication which were presented to 75 supporters at a special Church Service in June 1991. The assistance that has been given to the community of Melton & District has been extensive and much appreciated by many families. In addition many appeals for goods and clothing have been received and packages sent to many outside supportive agencies. Three volunteers having a tea break in the staffroom of the Op Shoplocal identities, churches

Rear of Church shows fibrolite sectionchurches

Elizabeth Buchanan worked at an opportunity shop - possibly Kildonan Care.B & W head and shoulders photograph of Elizabeth Buchananelizabeth buchanan, opportunity shop, kildonan care

Elizabeth Buchanan worked at an opportunity shop - possibly Kildonan Care.B & W waist length photograph of Elizabeth Buchananelizabeth buchanan, opportunity shop, kildonan care

Former CBA Bank and Opportunity Shop, near 804 Main Road, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todaycba bank, eltham, jim connor collection, main road, opportunity shop

Eltham Gateway, Former CBA Bank and Opportunity Shop, near 804 Main Road, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, cba bank, opportunity shop

SUMMARY – Uniting Church Op Shop Melton South Opportunity Shop – Brooklyn Road Melton South Est 1975 Former Methodist Church. The Opportunity Shop – Established 1975 by Edna Barrie 1992 Typed copy by Cath MacLean 2011 [Scots’ Presbyterian Church 1964] Additional information to the above summarised from Edna Barrie’s draft notes. Copied by Wendy Barrie January 2012, noting the information might be useful for future research. In 1985 the need for more shop space became apparent. Les [Bone] had plans drawn up (Surv 12/8/84) and approved by the Melton shire Council for a storeroom extension (17.800 x 9500) 1986 the small ancillary rooms at the rear of the timber church were demolished allowing the concrete slab to be laid. The building was completed in 1987. By the early 1990s the old timber Church had deteriorated, this lead to it being demolished in 2/11/1993. It was replaced with a new building containing a Pastoral Office, a meeting room and a furniture and homeware section. It was dedicated by Rev Ian Hickingbotham at 11am Sunday 5th June 1994. Service Awards were presented to 75 Opportunity Shop Volunteers by Rev Ian Hickingbotham. Funds have helped to pay for pastoral work, youth work and extra pastoral support. Lyrics for the Opportunity Shop which was located at the former Methodist Church. council, churches, local identities

Purchased by Ruth Lee around 1993 from an Opportunity Shop in Grovedale. Previously owned by Mrs Wall of Grovedale.Machined cotton and wool wagga, filled with woollen pullovers and other woollens. Purchased for a gold coin donation at an opportunity shop in Grovedale.quilt, wagga, quilting - history

The Former Commonwealth Bank of Australia branch forms part of the Eltham Gateway and the Little Eltham precinct and is located near 804 Main Road, Eltham. It is a significant building and registered on the Victorian Heritage Register. The bank was built in 1878. It is a one-room, bichromatic brick building. Imagine your bank only being open for one morning a week! These were the hours of the Commercial Bank’s Eltham branch early in the 20th century and customers were quite content. The bank stored gold from the Eltham/Research mining areas. It is famous for its bullet holes. These were the result of a hold up in 1949, in which a nervous youth opened an account in the name of John Henderson, then walked to the door and spun around pulling out a pistol he fired into the cedar bench but fled empty handed and was apprehended later, receiving a two year sentence. The Bank was purchased by the Methodist Church in 1954. (The Eltham church is right adjacent). Recent uses have included a meeting room, Sunday School and Opportunity Shop. It is currently used as a storage for the Combined churches opportunity shop which is located in the United church extension beside this location. Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, cba bank, opportunity shop

The little yellow and orange brick at 810 Main Road, Eltham, just in front of the Uniting Church (formerly Methodist Church) on the corner of John Street in more recent times has been used as an Opportunity Shop by the Eltham Uniting Church however the operations outgrew the tiny building and the shop moved to inside the Church hall. This building was once the Eltham agency of the Commercial Bank of Australia. Measuring just 3.6 x 4.5 m inside, it was built in 1878 by George Stebbing and is said to have stored gold in the early Eltham-Research mining days. It was also once the scene of an armed hold-up. Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day.jim connor collection, uniting church, main road, eltham, cba bank, opportunity shop, 2020-01-06

The little yellow and orange brick at 810 Main Road, Eltham, just in front of the Uniting Church (formerly Methodist Church) on the corner of John Street in more recent times has been used as an Opportunity Shop by the Eltham Uniting Church however the operations outgrew the tiny building and the shop moved to inside the Church hall. This building was once the Eltham agency of the Commercial Bank of Australia. Measuring just 3.6 x 4.5 m inside, it was built in 1878 by George Stebbing and is said to have stored gold in the early Eltham-Research mining days. It was also once the scene of an armed hold-up. Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day.jim connor collection, uniting church, main road, eltham, cba bank, opportunity shop, 2023-07-10