Community
7 May, 2025
Youth and experience unite for fashion day
TRENDY young Timboon students are preparing to join senior residents on a trip down memory lane – or the memory catwalk.
What’s Hot in the Op Shop is a fashion show organised by Timboon P-12 Student Representative Council, Timboon Opportunity Shop (TOPS) and Corangamite Shire Council’s Youth, Ageing and Positive Inclusion teams.
The event, held at Timboon Senior Citizen Centre on Thursday, May 22, recognises the contributions of the 30 TOPS volunteers during volunteer week.
TOPS coordinator Brenda Parfett said the op shop would supply clothes and models.
“TOPS’ role in the community is to accept goods that people no longer need, price and prepare them for sale, and on sell to interested people needing that item,” she said.
“We raise money for all community organisations.
“The volunteers are the most important aspect of the shop.
“It enables us to be open five days a week and Saturday morning.
“The shire approached us to have the event in volunteer week and we are enthusiastic about it.”
Timboon P-12 School student engagement leader Kate Miller said many different classes at the school would be involved.
“I see this as an excellent opportunity for our Student Representative Council to contribute in a positive way to the local community, engaging with the older generation and gaining important leadership and communication skills while doing so,” she said.
“The Year 9 and 10 textiles class will model a garment they have modified from the op shop this year as one of their projects so they will be a part of the fashion show too.
“Their participation is being coordinated by their teachers Mr David Harslett and Ms Tamara Haugh.
“The VET Hospitality class will be providing the catering for the event, coordinated by Mr Kelvin Bell.”
Corangamite Shire Council coordinator positive ageing and inclusion Belinda Rowbottom said the fun day would be a great way to build intergenerational connections.
“Engaging in activities with younger generations can keep older residents young,” she said.
“They can share their life experiences and keep in touch with how the world is changing.
“And, of course, it’s a chance to have a laugh.”
Coordinator community engagement and development Bec Reedman said young people could learn a lot from older residents, and teach them as well.
“Making friends with people with life experience can help younger people build communication and personal connection skills,” she said.
“Making friends with people with life experience can help younger people build communication and personal connection skills.
“Sharing a wider understanding of the world can give them a better sense of who they are, where they have come from, and how they fit into the world.”
Climate change and emissions reduction officer Prue Liddy said buying clothes from the op shop was about more than creating an individual style in a mass-produced fashion market.
“Choosing vintage fashion is an eco-friendly option,” she said.
“It promotes recycling and reduces the demand for industrial production and transport of clothes from other countries, which all have an environmental impact.
“The Australian Fashion Council’s Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme reported Australians threw 222,000 tonnes of clothing into landfill in 2023.
“Choosing better quality vintage clothes over cheap and trendy ‘fast fashion’ is better for your wallet and the environment.”
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