March 18, 2025 • 23 mins
The Hillview Op Shop demonstrates how a social enterprise can harness community spirit to create a remarkable impact by transforming donated goods into life-changing community initiatives. Manager Theo Van Bezouwen shares the inspiring evolution of what locals affectionately call "the David Jones of op shops" — a 2,000-square-metre operation that generated over $1 million for community projects in the past year alone.
What began as one church member's vision in 2018 has grown into a bustling hub powered by more than 150 volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Throughout our conversation, Theo reveals how these volunteers — many arriving with their struggles, from health challenges to broken relationships — find healing and purpose through their service. "Some of them come here with problems," Theo explains, "but once they volunteer here for a while, those problems seem to disappear because they feel wanted, needed, respected and valued."
The ripple effects of this community powerhouse extend far beyond its walls. University scholarships support students who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education. Mental health initiatives through the Avondale Community Counselling Centre provide accessible support for those in need. Emergency relief programs assist survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse with essential items and financial support. Behind each initiative lies the organization's guiding principle: "What's the loving thing to do?"
Perhaps most moving are the stories of transformation — from the elderly shopper who visits weekly not just for bargains but for connection to the volunteer who received flowers during a mental health crisis and felt the embrace of her "Hillview family" when she needed it most. These moments reveal the true mission behind the merchandise: creating a community where everyone belongs.
Ready to contribute to this powerful vision? Whether through donations, shopping, or volunteering, Theo's advice is simple: "Don't leave it forever. Go out and do it today."
Connect with Hillview Op Shop at 0407 497 855 or theo@mdhs.com.au and discover how giving back might change your life.
Follow Hillview Op Shop on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hillview-Op-Shop/61572862858370/
Thank you for listening!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leon Goltsman (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and, as always, I'm thrilled to
have you join me here foranother thought-provoking
episode.
Before we begin, I want to takea moment to acknowledge our
valuable sponsor, someone whosevalues and dedication to the
community align deeply with theconversations we have on the
(00:39):
show, Niaz Cannoth, creatingopportunities and making lasting
impact.
His commitment to ethicalinvestment and community driven
initiatives echoes the verythemes we explore here on
Engaging Conversations.
And that brings us to today'sepisode, because if there's one
place where generosity andcommunity spirit come to life,
(00:59):
it's at Hillview Op Shop.
This isn't just a place to findsecondhand goods op shop.
This isn't just a place to findsecondhand goods.
It's a social enterprise that,in the last year alone, has
given back over $1 million tothe community, from funding
scholarships to supportingmental health initiatives.
They're proving that everydonation and every purchase
fuels something much larger.
(01:19):
At the helm of this incredibleoperation is Theo Van Bezouwen,
a leader, a visionary and a manon a mission.
What started as a simple churchinitiative has grown into a
powerhouse of goodwill, poweredby over 150 volunteers and a
relentless drive to make adifference.
Today we'll hear about theimpact they've made, the lives
(01:42):
they've changed, and how givingback isn't just an act, it's a
way of life.
This is a conversation aboutpurpose, transformation and the
power of community, and so,without further ado, let's get
into it.
Theo Bezouwen (01:56):
My name's Theo VermaVan Bezouwen.
I'm the actual op shop managerhere for Hillview Op Shop, so I
started here in 2024.
I took over from the previousmanager here who was here for
about two or three years, soI've been doing it just over 12
months now.
It's been a big learning curvefor me because I come from a
private industry background, soI've worked for myself pretty
(02:16):
well my whole life.
I've only worked for anemployee for about four or five
years.
So being self-employed and youknow calling the shots and
everything like that coming herewith volunteers is, I suppose,
working with people is much thesame.
I love working with people, Ilove building capacity and I
love challenging people to dothe things that they want to do.
Leon Goltsman (02:36):
So here, I am at the op shop, thank you, and
thank you very much for speakingwith us.
The Hillview op shop has becomea cornerstone in the community,
encouraging generosity andsupport.
Could you share the journeythat led to its establishment
and the impact it's having sinceit's opened?
Theo Bezouwen (02:52):
Yes, I was about in 2018, a lady from Hillview
Church, actually one of thecongregation members down there.
She had a bit of a dream, avision, to start an op shop.
The church was very supportiveof these type of things and it
started off in Tugra and then,unfortunately, we had COVID hit
(03:13):
in 2019.
The op shop was sort of bumpingaround and they moved from
Tugra here to Morissette andthat was a really big leap of
faith.
It was going all right atTugger I believe I wasn't there
at the time but when thisbuilding we're in currently in
Morissette came available.
It's a 2,000 square metrebuilding but it was divided up
(03:34):
into three sections.
The landlord let us have athird of it and the other third
with no rent charge for aboutsix months until we grew and
expanded into it.
But it was this lady's visionthat led to the beginning of the
op shop.
It was also the support of thechurch which helped back it to
(03:56):
happen.
It was the church's decision.
There was a business planproposed which was put to ADRA
Australia.
At the time ADRA had about 30op shops and we just become one
of those op shops.
As soon as the op shop startedhere, it hit the ground running.
There was currently maybe about20 or 30 volunteers working
(04:18):
elsewhere in the community andthey straight away come across
to support this one because itwas local and close to the home
for them.
The op shop soon grew out ofits capacity, just having
two-thirds of the building herewith the amount of donations we
received and people werestarting to walk over the top of
one another.
And it was about a couple ofyears after that that the other
(04:42):
third of the building, which wasleased to a caravan company,
they ended up moving out that wealso took over that third.
And that's about when I comeinto the scene of things.
So I had a bit to do with theremodelling and the layouts of
the shop.
I've got a bit of a backgroundin time and motion and it was
all about trying to make theoperation as streamlined as
possible so that when goods weredonated in the shop here that
(05:05):
they could be easily dropped off, sorted and handled and put on
the shelves and stuff go to thetip and that.
Leon Goltsman (05:12):
Well, it's certainly grown dramatically
because, with over 150 activevolunteers, the Hillview Op Shop
thrives on communityinvolvement.
What motivates individuals tovolunteer and how does their
participation strengthen theshop's mission?
Theo Bezouwen (05:27):
Yeah, look, we couldn't run the op shop without
volunteers.
They're the core of thisbusiness.
So I think originally, when Ifirst started, it was sort of a
bit frowned upon to actuallyspend money on volunteers.
But it's my belief that thevolunteers are the backbone of
the shop and you've got to givethem the resources and the tools
needed to carry out their jobsas best as possible.
(05:48):
So, number one I look aftertheir health and the quality of
the work they do here.
So what we find when volunteersfirst sign up they come here for
a number of reasons.
Some of them are going throughhealth issues, some of them are
lost partners, some of them comefrom broken relationships, some
from domestic violence and that, and some just come from a
(06:12):
church or a Christian backgroundwhere they want to help
community.
So they're the type ofdemographic we have here, but
it's a healthy thing.
Some of them come here withproblems, but once they come and
volunteer here for a while,those problems seem to go away
because they feel wanted, needed, respected and valued in the
work they do here.
(06:32):
They're just amazing storieswhen you talk to them and
sometimes I look at them andthey're just like they're broken
people when they first comehere.
But after they've been here fora few months, like you know, I
go to thank them and they'reactually thanking us for coming
and and being part of this shop,and so what you're doing is
(06:53):
you're uniting people, aren'tyou?
Oh, absolutely, look we.
We want to just bring the teamtogether and and I like
challenging them all I like Ilike trying to lift their
capacities and abilities andthat and take them a bit out of
their comfort zone and get themto do things that they've
probably never done in the past.
Leon Goltsman (07:06):
And you're certainly doing that because, as
individuals, they are growing.
And speaking of growing andexpansion 2,000 square meters
that's remarkable.
How has this growth allowed youto better serve the community
and what are the newopportunities that it's
presented?
Theo Bezouwen (07:21):
Yeah.
So having the 2,000 squaremetres of undercover roof area
and on top of that we've gotabout 300 or 400 square metres
of off-carport area, whichallows people to drop things off
in wet weather and out of theelements and in a shaded area,
the drop-off area makes it soeasy for people to come and drop
their donations.
But also we've got the shopssplit up into different
(07:43):
workstations and categories.
So we've got like clothingcategories, hardware categories,
you know, a book and librarybric-a-brac, there's crockery
and there's different teams ofpeople in those areas that work
there.
We also have category managers,so each category has a manager
and a team below it.
And then for every day of theweek we open we also have day
(08:05):
managers and we have backup daymanagers.
So for day managers a way thatbackup manager can fall in so
we've got a whole managementteam of probably about 30 plus
people that help make the shopwork.
Leon Goltsman (08:15):
Well, the people here aren't here because they
have to be here.
They want to be here and youcan see that they're giving it
their all.
I've noticed as well thatthere's a lot of products here,
and the proceeds from the opshop have funded various
community projects, includinguniversity scholarships and
support for the homeless.
Could you elaborate on theseinitiatives and their
(08:36):
significance?
Theo Bezouwen (08:37):
Yeah.
So some of the projects we fundhere, like the high school
scholarships, it started off alittle bit of a time and
obviously that grew as the fundshere grew, or surplus funds
here grew, and what we found waswe're forming relationships and
connections with the fundingrecipients, but also, more
importantly, we're also formingrelationships with the kids in
(09:00):
the community.
Some of these kids that applyfor the scholarships they come
from broken homes or familiesand they're actually the first
kids in their families toactually go to university.
So that's always an amazingthing we find.
So them having some sort ofmentors outside of the school
system here to rely on andcommunicate with them is a big
thing for us.
So whenever we fund a project,we'd like to stay closely
(09:22):
connected with them, because Isee ourselves as also
facilitators in the community.
There's there's things we canall share and learn with, with
other groups.
We don't all have to go throughthe pain of just doing it alone
.
Leon Goltsman (09:34):
So I'm quite passionate about building
capacity through the wholecommunity here, and I suppose
that's what it's all aboutbuilding people, building
communities.
I've also, you know, walkingaround and I know there's always
this misconception that peoplewalk into an op shop and it's
things that nobody wants.
But this op shop is oftenreferred to as the David Jones
(09:56):
op shop due to its qualityofferings.
How do you ensure a highstandard of goods, and what role
do donations play in this?
Theo Bezouwen (10:03):
The public just come and drop their stuff off.
We try to ensure that we don'tget any rubbish dumped here
because otherwise we've got topay to actually remove it from
site.
Here at the waste disposalcentre the stuff gets
categorised in the differentcategories, it gets sorted with
the different teams and theproducts get cleaned and put
(10:24):
onto the shelves.
Leon, we get a lot of differentitems get donated to the shop
here and there's just someamazing stuff, like we get stuff
from deceased estates where,like, the whole house gets
cleaned out and everything getstaken here and sometimes we even
find like suitcases or bagsstill with money in it.
We get jewellery items, we evenget gold and that we take over
to the gold dealers and we getthat traded in for cash and
(10:48):
returned back.
But look, and there's someantique items you know that get
donated and some of those stuffwe try to sell online so we can
maximise the return on those, sothat can be returned back into
our surplus for projects.
So one of the things that makesthe op shop popular here, I
(11:10):
think, is our close connectionwith community, the fact that
all the funds we raise, everysingle cent, goes back into the
local community.
We do at times.
If there's disaster or stormelsewhere, we do actually funnel
money into those areas as wellas needed.
Disaster or storm elsewhere, wedo actually funnel money into
those areas as well as as needed.
But we're we're very passionateabout making change in this
local area here.
Some of our visions for thefuture are our mental health
(11:31):
space.
So currently we fund AvondaleCommunity Counselling Centre,
which has about two or threecounsellors and then they
actually have student placementsthat come here as well.
So we'd like to expand thatfacility as well In the future.
We'd like to have a socialworker and also somebody to help
folk to fill in paperwork andforms and navigate that myriad
(11:51):
of paperwork when you lose aloved one, or a lady loses a
husband, and he used to do allthe banking and the
registrations and that peopleget lost doing that.
So we'd like to have somebodyto help in that place.
Leon Goltsman (12:03):
Yeah, so each product, each donation isn't
just a product.
It lets people know, ittranslates and transfers to
people knowing that someone islooking after them and they're
not alone, that someone cares,and I suppose that's the essence
of providing community service.
Theo Bezouwen (12:21):
Oh look, it is.
And one of the things we findabout the actual shoppers that
come in the shop.
Some of them come here on aweekly basis, sometimes more
than once or twice a week.
I think the commercial side ofthem buying something is just an
excuse just for them to comehere and connect with the
volunteers.
You get to know them one-on-oneon a first-name basis and we
get to share their journeys aswell.
(12:43):
I've got a few people comethrough here at the moment who
are suffering cancer or havelost loved ones.
A lady was here the other dayand her son just passed away an
elderly lady.
So they come and confide thesethings in us and in the
volunteers here because this istheir safe place in community.
This is a place they like tocome and visit and feel safe at?
Leon Goltsman (13:04):
Yeah, definitely, and thank you for sharing that
with me.
It really is touching.
You know, volunteering is soimportant and we see quite a bit
of it, but we never see enough.
We can always do with a lotmore, and I suppose
collaboration seems to be thekey to everybody's success, or
certainly is to yours.
How have partnerships withlocal businesses, schools and
(13:27):
other organisations increasedthe shop's impact?
Theo Bezouwen (13:30):
Yes, one of the interesting things we find
through the shop here is ourrelationship with the businesses
in the area.
So there's a local car worksbusiness up the road, jenny and
Pete, and they like to supportour volunteers or customers who
come through the shop who needany car works, car repairs and
stuff done.
(13:51):
So they often say if there'sanybody in need, send them up
their way.
They're more than happy to lookafter them.
But just the connections wemake with some of the local
schools.
So, leon, we've had greatsupport from our local members.
We've had the Hunter member,dan Rapicelli, come in the shop
here, spend some time with ourvolunteers, actually quite a
number of hours.
We've also had Adam Schultz,the Lake Macquarie Council Mayor
(14:13):
, and our member, greg Piper,has been in as well.
So we get great support fromour local members in here in the
op shop and it's just great tohave the community come together
here.
Leon Goltsman (14:23):
It's great when you've got local state federal
members coming along and helpingout like that.
It means that they want to getinvolved and of course, it's
always encouraging when peoplefrom the community want to get
involved and for those inspiredto contribute.
What are the various waysindividuals can get involved
with the Hillview op shop orsimilar initiatives in their
communities?
Theo Bezouwen (14:44):
Yeah, so it's quite easy to come and volunteer
at the Hillview Op Shop.
All you've got to do is justcome on down, meet with one of
our day managers, and it's asimple enrolment process.
We just get some of yourdetails down a computer and we
don't have set times here.
You're a volunteer, so you canjust come and go whenever you
feel, like most people we find,once they've been here for a few
hours, they just don't want toleave.
(15:05):
You know, they just love theplace that much.
They just want to stay.
Currently it's thursday night.
We have a thursday night shift.
We've just started that.
Recently, because of the hotweather, we've started a five
o'clock to eight o'clock nightshift and we have a meal
together.
Sometimes we go up the shop andbuy a bit of local takeaway and
it's just been an amazing time,uh, sharing these, these times
together and even when, when Icome past and I and I pop in,
(15:29):
the volunteers are really lovelypeople.
Leon Goltsman (15:31):
It makes I feel at home every time I come up
here yeah, they're just lovingpeople and what?
Theo Bezouwen (15:35):
and the previous manager?
He put a motto into place.
It was always what's the lovingthing to do.
Do.
So whenever there's an issue oran altercation, or with a
customer or volunteers, wealways go back to that phrase
what's the loving thing to do.
And that's the cornerstone ofhow we sort that out.
Leon Goltsman (15:52):
I think I'm going to have to use that one.
What's the loving thing to do?
I think it'll come in handyquite a bit actually.
Look, theo, reflecting on thepositive feedback from community
members and local leaders, whatstories or testimonials stand
out to you as evidence of theshop's impact?
Theo Bezouwen (16:09):
So, leon, the feedback from volunteers is
amazing.
Here Just this week there was alady she'd been unwell and we
sent her a bunch of flowers andshe just said look, you know, a
couple of days ago she just feltlike she didn't want to be on
this planet and just receivingthose bunch of flowers from her
Hillview family just made herday so much better.
And she put a public messagethere on the messenger group to
(16:31):
all the volunteers to let herknow how much she misses this
place.
And there's just so manystories like that.
So some of the people we getthrough here, leon, like from
domestic violence, they'll showup here and we have a bit of an
emergency relief form and we canhelp them with actually goods
and supplies.
We've had folk from elder abusein here as well, so they're able
(16:51):
to come through here and theyshop.
Sometimes they make a smallcontribution towards the cost of
those goods.
Sometimes we give them thegoods for nothing and we'll help
deliver those goods to theirhome and we can also help
support them with some foodvouchers.
Just yesterday there was a ladyI was communicating with where
her husband's in hospital.
He's terminally ill.
(17:12):
He's probably got about eightweeks to go and she had a
hospital bill.
She had to pay her a specialistbill for a hundred and
something dollars and she had nomore money for groceries and a
bit of petrol.
So I was able to give heranother couple hundred dollars
to get her through until pensionclicked in for her.
So these are just some of thestories that we get, yeah, and
(17:32):
you know.
Leon Goltsman (17:33):
Some people you know, a couple of hundred
dollars may not seem like a lot,but other people it's a matter
of life and death and you'recertainly helping a lot of
people just with everything thatyou do.
Theo Bezouwen (17:43):
Yeah, like, and even the big funding recipients.
Just recently we helped fundeda start-up organisation,
nourished in Toronto, andwithout that funding they would
never have got off the ground.
Now they're up and running andthey're able to support the
Toronto community with a foodpantry service.
Leon Goltsman (18:03):
That's really inspiring and uplifting as well.
The idea that giving benefitsboth the giver and the receiver
is really powerful.
How have you seen this dynamicplay out amongst donors and
volunteers at the op shop?
Theo Bezouwen (18:16):
Yes, it's interesting because you'd think
the donations that we receive iswhere the impacts come from,
but I don't think it is.
I think the biggest impacts Isee are the change to the
volunteers, to their lives,their personal lives, their
stories.
I hear how they now have asense of purpose, a reason to
(18:36):
get up in the morning and comeand join a team, a healthy team
and a healthy culture here.
Leon Goltsman (18:41):
Yeah Well, I'm sure that when people learn
about and more people learnabout what you do, you'll be
getting much more than 150volunteers.
I mean, you might have to startinvestigating on how to obtain
more space.
It kind of leads me to the nextquestion Looking ahead, what
are your aspirations forHillview Op Shop, and how can
(19:01):
the community continue tosupport and strengthen its
mission?
Theo Bezouwen (19:05):
Yeah.
So like the sky's the limit asfar as I'm concerned for the
Hillview Op Shop, and I'd reallylike to see positive change in
this community.
The fact that we now areindependent and can
significantly just focus on ourcurrent community means that we
can get some of our projectsgoing.
The Hillview Op Shop is asocial enterprise.
(19:25):
We want to use commercialprinciples to raise funds to run
our projects and we also wantto start sub-projects off that,
like a mental health space,maybe some sort of food training
facility, and we want all theseto sort of be able to stand
alone on their own so that theshop would actually initially
fund them.
Once we get them up and going,they will be self-supporting.
Leon Goltsman (19:48):
We'll certainly put the contact details of how
people who want to get involved.
But if there is one thing youwould like people to remember
from today's conversation, Theo,what would that one thing be?
Theo Bezouwen (20:00):
Look, I can only suggest from what I've seen here
and the change in lives tovolunteers is if you're not
volunteering, go out and do it.
It today, don't leave itforever.
Some of these people whovolunteer here were just
shoppers and we've asked them tocome in and they were sort of a
bit apprehensive, a bit scaredand a bit timid.
And then, after coming here fora week or two, their whole
(20:23):
lives changed and and one lady Iremember she said look, she
regretted not doing it like 12months prior.
That's how much it's changedher life and how much of her
time she's lost by not beingpart of this community.
Leon Goltsman (20:34):
And if people wanted to contact you or the
staff, what's the best number tocall you on?
Theo Bezouwen (20:40):
Yeah.
So if you're thinking aboutvolunteering at the Hillview Op
Shop down here in Morisset, bestto give me a call on on 0407
497 855.
You can also email me if youwant, on Theo T-H-E-O at M-D-H-S
.
So that's M for Michael, d forDonald, h for Harry S for Sam
dot.
Com.
Dot.
Au.
It's quite simple.
(21:01):
Give me a buzz.
I'll be waiting for your call.
Leon Goltsman (21:03):
Fantastic Look.
It's such a pleasure to bespeaking with you and thank you
so much for your valuable timeand sharing this wonderful
conversation with myself and thewonderful audience.
Theo Bezouwen (21:15):
You're more than welcome.
Thanks for coming in, leon, itwas enjoyable.
Leon Goltsman (21:19):
And that brings us to the end of another
inspiring episode of EngagingConversations.
Today we heard from Theo VanBezouwen about the incredible
work being done at Hillview OpShop, a shining example of
what's possible when generosityand community come together.
The key takeaway giving isn'tjust about material donations.
It's about creating connection,purpose and real opportunities
(21:43):
for those who need it most,whether it's a volunteer finding
new meaning, a studentreceiving a life-changing
scholarship or a family gettingsupport during tough times.
The impact of Hillview reachesfar beyond its walls.
It's a reminder that acts ofkindness have the power to
create lasting change.
(22:04):
Next week, we continue thistheme of impact with Rachael
Natoli, founder of the LakahiFoundation.
We'll be discussing the powerof language, how the words we
use don't just shapeconversations but can also
change lives.
From recognizing harmfulbehaviors to offering the right
kind of support, the way wespeak about challenges can make
(22:27):
all the difference.
It's a conversation aboutawareness, responsibility and
the role each of us plays inpromoting a safer, more
supportive society.
And if today's discussionresonated with you, I encourage
you to subscribe, share thisepisode and continue the
conversation.
A special thank you to ourlisteners, our sponsors and the
(22:49):
team behind the scenes who makethe show possible.
I'm Leon Goldsman.
Until next time, stay engaged,stay informed and let's keep
making a difference together.
Hello and welcome back to Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and, as always, I'm thrilled to
have you join me here foranother thought-provoking
episode.
Before we begin, I want to takea moment to acknowledge our
valuable sponsor, someone whosevalues and dedication to the
community align deeply with theconversations we have on the
(00:39):
show, Niaz Cannoth, creatingopportunities and making lasting
impact.
His commitment to ethicalinvestment and community driven
initiatives echoes the verythemes we explore here on
Engaging Conversations.
And that brings us to today'sepisode, because if there's one
place where generosity andcommunity spirit come to life,
(00:59):
it's at Hillview Op Shop.
This isn't just a place to findsecondhand goods op shop.
This isn't just a place to findsecondhand goods.
It's a social enterprise that,in the last year alone, has
given back over $1 million tothe community, from funding
scholarships to supportingmental health initiatives.
They're proving that everydonation and every purchase
fuels something much larger.
(01:19):
At the helm of this incredibleoperation is Theo Van Bezouwen,
a leader, a visionary and a manon a mission.
What started as a simple churchinitiative has grown into a
powerhouse of goodwill, poweredby over 150 volunteers and a
relentless drive to make adifference.
Today we'll hear about theimpact they've made, the lives
(01:42):
they've changed, and how givingback isn't just an act, it's a
way of life.
This is a conversation aboutpurpose, transformation and the
power of community, and so,without further ado, let's get
into it.
Theo Bezouwen (01:56):
My name's Theo VermaVan Bezouwen.
I'm the actual op shop managerhere for Hillview Op Shop, so I
started here in 2024.
I took over from the previousmanager here who was here for
about two or three years, soI've been doing it just over 12
months now.
It's been a big learning curvefor me because I come from a
private industry background, soI've worked for myself pretty
(02:16):
well my whole life.
I've only worked for anemployee for about four or five
years.
So being self-employed and youknow calling the shots and
everything like that coming herewith volunteers is, I suppose,
working with people is much thesame.
I love working with people, Ilove building capacity and I
love challenging people to dothe things that they want to do.
Leon Goltsman (02:36):
So here, I am at the op shop, thank you, and
thank you very much for speakingwith us.
The Hillview op shop has becomea cornerstone in the community,
encouraging generosity andsupport.
Could you share the journeythat led to its establishment
and the impact it's having sinceit's opened?
Theo Bezouwen (02:52):
Yes, I was about in 2018, a lady from Hillview
Church, actually one of thecongregation members down there.
She had a bit of a dream, avision, to start an op shop.
The church was very supportiveof these type of things and it
started off in Tugra and then,unfortunately, we had COVID hit
(03:13):
in 2019.
The op shop was sort of bumpingaround and they moved from
Tugra here to Morissette andthat was a really big leap of
faith.
It was going all right atTugger I believe I wasn't there
at the time but when thisbuilding we're in currently in
Morissette came available.
It's a 2,000 square metrebuilding but it was divided up
(03:34):
into three sections.
The landlord let us have athird of it and the other third
with no rent charge for aboutsix months until we grew and
expanded into it.
But it was this lady's visionthat led to the beginning of the
op shop.
It was also the support of thechurch which helped back it to
(03:56):
happen.
It was the church's decision.
There was a business planproposed which was put to ADRA
Australia.
At the time ADRA had about 30op shops and we just become one
of those op shops.
As soon as the op shop startedhere, it hit the ground running.
There was currently maybe about20 or 30 volunteers working
(04:18):
elsewhere in the community andthey straight away come across
to support this one because itwas local and close to the home
for them.
The op shop soon grew out ofits capacity, just having
two-thirds of the building herewith the amount of donations we
received and people werestarting to walk over the top of
one another.
And it was about a couple ofyears after that that the other
(04:42):
third of the building, which wasleased to a caravan company,
they ended up moving out that wealso took over that third.
And that's about when I comeinto the scene of things.
So I had a bit to do with theremodelling and the layouts of
the shop.
I've got a bit of a backgroundin time and motion and it was
all about trying to make theoperation as streamlined as
possible so that when goods weredonated in the shop here that
(05:05):
they could be easily dropped off, sorted and handled and put on
the shelves and stuff go to thetip and that.
Leon Goltsman (05:12):
Well, it's certainly grown dramatically
because, with over 150 activevolunteers, the Hillview Op Shop
thrives on communityinvolvement.
What motivates individuals tovolunteer and how does their
participation strengthen theshop's mission?
Theo Bezouwen (05:27):
Yeah, look, we couldn't run the op shop without
volunteers.
They're the core of thisbusiness.
So I think originally, when Ifirst started, it was sort of a
bit frowned upon to actuallyspend money on volunteers.
But it's my belief that thevolunteers are the backbone of
the shop and you've got to givethem the resources and the tools
needed to carry out their jobsas best as possible.
(05:48):
So, number one I look aftertheir health and the quality of
the work they do here.
So what we find when volunteersfirst sign up they come here for
a number of reasons.
Some of them are going throughhealth issues, some of them are
lost partners, some of them comefrom broken relationships, some
from domestic violence and that, and some just come from a
(06:12):
church or a Christian backgroundwhere they want to help
community.
So they're the type ofdemographic we have here, but
it's a healthy thing.
Some of them come here withproblems, but once they come and
volunteer here for a while,those problems seem to go away
because they feel wanted, needed, respected and valued in the
work they do here.
(06:32):
They're just amazing storieswhen you talk to them and
sometimes I look at them andthey're just like they're broken
people when they first comehere.
But after they've been here fora few months, like you know, I
go to thank them and they'reactually thanking us for coming
and and being part of this shop,and so what you're doing is
(06:53):
you're uniting people, aren'tyou?
Oh, absolutely, look we.
We want to just bring the teamtogether and and I like
challenging them all I like Ilike trying to lift their
capacities and abilities andthat and take them a bit out of
their comfort zone and get themto do things that they've
probably never done in the past.
Leon Goltsman (07:06):
And you're certainly doing that because, as
individuals, they are growing.
And speaking of growing andexpansion 2,000 square meters
that's remarkable.
How has this growth allowed youto better serve the community
and what are the newopportunities that it's
presented?
Theo Bezouwen (07:21):
Yeah.
So having the 2,000 squaremetres of undercover roof area
and on top of that we've gotabout 300 or 400 square metres
of off-carport area, whichallows people to drop things off
in wet weather and out of theelements and in a shaded area,
the drop-off area makes it soeasy for people to come and drop
their donations.
But also we've got the shopssplit up into different
(07:43):
workstations and categories.
So we've got like clothingcategories, hardware categories,
you know, a book and librarybric-a-brac, there's crockery
and there's different teams ofpeople in those areas that work
there.
We also have category managers,so each category has a manager
and a team below it.
And then for every day of theweek we open we also have day
(08:05):
managers and we have backup daymanagers.
So for day managers a way thatbackup manager can fall in so
we've got a whole managementteam of probably about 30 plus
people that help make the shopwork.
Leon Goltsman (08:15):
Well, the people here aren't here because they
have to be here.
They want to be here and youcan see that they're giving it
their all.
I've noticed as well thatthere's a lot of products here,
and the proceeds from the opshop have funded various
community projects, includinguniversity scholarships and
support for the homeless.
Could you elaborate on theseinitiatives and their
(08:36):
significance?
Theo Bezouwen (08:37):
Yeah.
So some of the projects we fundhere, like the high school
scholarships, it started off alittle bit of a time and
obviously that grew as the fundshere grew, or surplus funds
here grew, and what we found waswe're forming relationships and
connections with the fundingrecipients, but also, more
importantly, we're also formingrelationships with the kids in
(09:00):
the community.
Some of these kids that applyfor the scholarships they come
from broken homes or familiesand they're actually the first
kids in their families toactually go to university.
So that's always an amazingthing we find.
So them having some sort ofmentors outside of the school
system here to rely on andcommunicate with them is a big
thing for us.
So whenever we fund a project,we'd like to stay closely
(09:22):
connected with them, because Isee ourselves as also
facilitators in the community.
There's there's things we canall share and learn with, with
other groups.
We don't all have to go throughthe pain of just doing it alone
.
Leon Goltsman (09:34):
So I'm quite passionate about building
capacity through the wholecommunity here, and I suppose
that's what it's all aboutbuilding people, building
communities.
I've also, you know, walkingaround and I know there's always
this misconception that peoplewalk into an op shop and it's
things that nobody wants.
But this op shop is oftenreferred to as the David Jones
(09:56):
op shop due to its qualityofferings.
How do you ensure a highstandard of goods, and what role
do donations play in this?
Theo Bezouwen (10:03):
The public just come and drop their stuff off.
We try to ensure that we don'tget any rubbish dumped here
because otherwise we've got topay to actually remove it from
site.
Here at the waste disposalcentre the stuff gets
categorised in the differentcategories, it gets sorted with
the different teams and theproducts get cleaned and put
(10:24):
onto the shelves.
Leon, we get a lot of differentitems get donated to the shop
here and there's just someamazing stuff, like we get stuff
from deceased estates where,like, the whole house gets
cleaned out and everything getstaken here and sometimes we even
find like suitcases or bagsstill with money in it.
We get jewellery items, we evenget gold and that we take over
to the gold dealers and we getthat traded in for cash and
(10:48):
returned back.
But look, and there's someantique items you know that get
donated and some of those stuffwe try to sell online so we can
maximise the return on those, sothat can be returned back into
our surplus for projects.
So one of the things that makesthe op shop popular here, I
(11:10):
think, is our close connectionwith community, the fact that
all the funds we raise, everysingle cent, goes back into the
local community.
We do at times.
If there's disaster or stormelsewhere, we do actually funnel
money into those areas as wellas needed.
Disaster or storm elsewhere, wedo actually funnel money into
those areas as well as as needed.
But we're we're very passionateabout making change in this
local area here.
Some of our visions for thefuture are our mental health
(11:31):
space.
So currently we fund AvondaleCommunity Counselling Centre,
which has about two or threecounsellors and then they
actually have student placementsthat come here as well.
So we'd like to expand thatfacility as well In the future.
We'd like to have a socialworker and also somebody to help
folk to fill in paperwork andforms and navigate that myriad
(11:51):
of paperwork when you lose aloved one, or a lady loses a
husband, and he used to do allthe banking and the
registrations and that peopleget lost doing that.
So we'd like to have somebodyto help in that place.
Leon Goltsman (12:03):
Yeah, so each product, each donation isn't
just a product.
It lets people know, ittranslates and transfers to
people knowing that someone islooking after them and they're
not alone, that someone cares,and I suppose that's the essence
of providing community service.
Theo Bezouwen (12:21):
Oh look, it is.
And one of the things we findabout the actual shoppers that
come in the shop.
Some of them come here on aweekly basis, sometimes more
than once or twice a week.
I think the commercial side ofthem buying something is just an
excuse just for them to comehere and connect with the
volunteers.
You get to know them one-on-oneon a first-name basis and we
get to share their journeys aswell.
(12:43):
I've got a few people comethrough here at the moment who
are suffering cancer or havelost loved ones.
A lady was here the other dayand her son just passed away an
elderly lady.
So they come and confide thesethings in us and in the
volunteers here because this istheir safe place in community.
This is a place they like tocome and visit and feel safe at?
Leon Goltsman (13:04):
Yeah, definitely, and thank you for sharing that
with me.
It really is touching.
You know, volunteering is soimportant and we see quite a bit
of it, but we never see enough.
We can always do with a lotmore, and I suppose
collaboration seems to be thekey to everybody's success, or
certainly is to yours.
How have partnerships withlocal businesses, schools and
(13:27):
other organisations increasedthe shop's impact?
Theo Bezouwen (13:30):
Yes, one of the interesting things we find
through the shop here is ourrelationship with the businesses
in the area.
So there's a local car worksbusiness up the road, jenny and
Pete, and they like to supportour volunteers or customers who
come through the shop who needany car works, car repairs and
stuff done.
(13:51):
So they often say if there'sanybody in need, send them up
their way.
They're more than happy to lookafter them.
But just the connections wemake with some of the local
schools.
So, leon, we've had greatsupport from our local members.
We've had the Hunter member,dan Rapicelli, come in the shop
here, spend some time with ourvolunteers, actually quite a
number of hours.
We've also had Adam Schultz,the Lake Macquarie Council Mayor
(14:13):
, and our member, greg Piper,has been in as well.
So we get great support fromour local members in here in the
op shop and it's just great tohave the community come together
here.
Leon Goltsman (14:23):
It's great when you've got local state federal
members coming along and helpingout like that.
It means that they want to getinvolved and of course, it's
always encouraging when peoplefrom the community want to get
involved and for those inspiredto contribute.
What are the various waysindividuals can get involved
with the Hillview op shop orsimilar initiatives in their
communities?
Theo Bezouwen (14:44):
Yeah, so it's quite easy to come and volunteer
at the Hillview Op Shop.
All you've got to do is justcome on down, meet with one of
our day managers, and it's asimple enrolment process.
We just get some of yourdetails down a computer and we
don't have set times here.
You're a volunteer, so you canjust come and go whenever you
feel, like most people we find,once they've been here for a few
hours, they just don't want toleave.
(15:05):
You know, they just love theplace that much.
They just want to stay.
Currently it's thursday night.
We have a thursday night shift.
We've just started that.
Recently, because of the hotweather, we've started a five
o'clock to eight o'clock nightshift and we have a meal
together.
Sometimes we go up the shop andbuy a bit of local takeaway and
it's just been an amazing time,uh, sharing these, these times
together and even when, when Icome past and I and I pop in,
(15:29):
the volunteers are really lovelypeople.
Leon Goltsman (15:31):
It makes I feel at home every time I come up
here yeah, they're just lovingpeople and what?
Theo Bezouwen (15:35):
and the previous manager?
He put a motto into place.
It was always what's the lovingthing to do.
Do.
So whenever there's an issue oran altercation, or with a
customer or volunteers, wealways go back to that phrase
what's the loving thing to do.
And that's the cornerstone ofhow we sort that out.
Leon Goltsman (15:52):
I think I'm going to have to use that one.
What's the loving thing to do?
I think it'll come in handyquite a bit actually.
Look, theo, reflecting on thepositive feedback from community
members and local leaders, whatstories or testimonials stand
out to you as evidence of theshop's impact?
Theo Bezouwen (16:09):
So, leon, the feedback from volunteers is
amazing.
Here Just this week there was alady she'd been unwell and we
sent her a bunch of flowers andshe just said look, you know, a
couple of days ago she just feltlike she didn't want to be on
this planet and just receivingthose bunch of flowers from her
Hillview family just made herday so much better.
And she put a public messagethere on the messenger group to
(16:31):
all the volunteers to let herknow how much she misses this
place.
And there's just so manystories like that.
So some of the people we getthrough here, leon, like from
domestic violence, they'll showup here and we have a bit of an
emergency relief form and we canhelp them with actually goods
and supplies.
We've had folk from elder abusein here as well, so they're able
(16:51):
to come through here and theyshop.
Sometimes they make a smallcontribution towards the cost of
those goods.
Sometimes we give them thegoods for nothing and we'll help
deliver those goods to theirhome and we can also help
support them with some foodvouchers.
Just yesterday there was a ladyI was communicating with where
her husband's in hospital.
He's terminally ill.
(17:12):
He's probably got about eightweeks to go and she had a
hospital bill.
She had to pay her a specialistbill for a hundred and
something dollars and she had nomore money for groceries and a
bit of petrol.
So I was able to give heranother couple hundred dollars
to get her through until pensionclicked in for her.
So these are just some of thestories that we get, yeah, and
(17:32):
you know.
Leon Goltsman (17:33):
Some people you know, a couple of hundred
dollars may not seem like a lot,but other people it's a matter
of life and death and you'recertainly helping a lot of
people just with everything thatyou do.
Theo Bezouwen (17:43):
Yeah, like, and even the big funding recipients.
Just recently we helped fundeda start-up organisation,
nourished in Toronto, andwithout that funding they would
never have got off the ground.
Now they're up and running andthey're able to support the
Toronto community with a foodpantry service.
Leon Goltsman (18:03):
That's really inspiring and uplifting as well.
The idea that giving benefitsboth the giver and the receiver
is really powerful.
How have you seen this dynamicplay out amongst donors and
volunteers at the op shop?
Theo Bezouwen (18:16):
Yes, it's interesting because you'd think
the donations that we receive iswhere the impacts come from,
but I don't think it is.
I think the biggest impacts Isee are the change to the
volunteers, to their lives,their personal lives, their
stories.
I hear how they now have asense of purpose, a reason to
(18:36):
get up in the morning and comeand join a team, a healthy team
and a healthy culture here.
Leon Goltsman (18:41):
Yeah Well, I'm sure that when people learn
about and more people learnabout what you do, you'll be
getting much more than 150volunteers.
I mean, you might have to startinvestigating on how to obtain
more space.
It kind of leads me to the nextquestion Looking ahead, what
are your aspirations forHillview Op Shop, and how can
(19:01):
the community continue tosupport and strengthen its
mission?
Theo Bezouwen (19:05):
Yeah.
So like the sky's the limit asfar as I'm concerned for the
Hillview Op Shop, and I'd reallylike to see positive change in
this community.
The fact that we now areindependent and can
significantly just focus on ourcurrent community means that we
can get some of our projectsgoing.
The Hillview Op Shop is asocial enterprise.
(19:25):
We want to use commercialprinciples to raise funds to run
our projects and we also wantto start sub-projects off that,
like a mental health space,maybe some sort of food training
facility, and we want all theseto sort of be able to stand
alone on their own so that theshop would actually initially
fund them.
Once we get them up and going,they will be self-supporting.
Leon Goltsman (19:48):
We'll certainly put the contact details of how
people who want to get involved.
But if there is one thing youwould like people to remember
from today's conversation, Theo,what would that one thing be?
Theo Bezouwen (20:00):
Look, I can only suggest from what I've seen here
and the change in lives tovolunteers is if you're not
volunteering, go out and do it.
It today, don't leave itforever.
Some of these people whovolunteer here were just
shoppers and we've asked them tocome in and they were sort of a
bit apprehensive, a bit scaredand a bit timid.
And then, after coming here fora week or two, their whole
(20:23):
lives changed and and one lady Iremember she said look, she
regretted not doing it like 12months prior.
That's how much it's changedher life and how much of her
time she's lost by not beingpart of this community.
Leon Goltsman (20:34):
And if people wanted to contact you or the
staff, what's the best number tocall you on?
Theo Bezouwen (20:40):
Yeah.
So if you're thinking aboutvolunteering at the Hillview Op
Shop down here in Morisset, bestto give me a call on on 0407
497 855.
You can also email me if youwant, on Theo T-H-E-O at M-D-H-S
.
So that's M for Michael, d forDonald, h for Harry S for Sam
dot.
Com.
Dot.
Au.
It's quite simple.
(21:01):
Give me a buzz.
I'll be waiting for your call.
Leon Goltsman (21:03):
Fantastic Look.
It's such a pleasure to bespeaking with you and thank you
so much for your valuable timeand sharing this wonderful
conversation with myself and thewonderful audience.
Theo Bezouwen (21:15):
You're more than welcome.
Thanks for coming in, leon, itwas enjoyable.
Leon Goltsman (21:19):
And that brings us to the end of another
inspiring episode of EngagingConversations.
Today we heard from Theo VanBezouwen about the incredible
work being done at Hillview OpShop, a shining example of
what's possible when generosityand community come together.
The key takeaway giving isn'tjust about material donations.
It's about creating connection,purpose and real opportunities
(21:43):
for those who need it most,whether it's a volunteer finding
new meaning, a studentreceiving a life-changing
scholarship or a family gettingsupport during tough times.
The impact of Hillview reachesfar beyond its walls.
It's a reminder that acts ofkindness have the power to
create lasting change.
(22:04):
Next week, we continue thistheme of impact with Rachael
Natoli, founder of the LakahiFoundation.
We'll be discussing the powerof language, how the words we
use don't just shapeconversations but can also
change lives.
From recognizing harmfulbehaviors to offering the right
kind of support, the way wespeak about challenges can make
(22:27):
all the difference.
It's a conversation aboutawareness, responsibility and
the role each of us plays inpromoting a safer, more
supportive society.
And if today's discussionresonated with you, I encourage
you to subscribe, share thisepisode and continue the
conversation.
A special thank you to ourlisteners, our sponsors and the
(22:49):
team behind the scenes who makethe show possible.
I'm Leon Goldsman.
Until next time, stay engaged,stay informed and let's keep
making a difference together.
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