By Toni Cooper
ON ANY given day at the Hadden House Op Shop in Bass you’ll find shelves and hangers of second-hand treasures. You’ll also find familiar faces, easy conversations and a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back.
Run entirely by volunteers, the op shop sits at the heart of the Bass Community Centre and plays an important role in supporting its work. Every donation sorted and every purchase made helps fund local community programs that bring people together.
The multi-roomed shop is filled with clothing, books, bric-a-brac and household items, all generously donated by the community. With plenty of off-street parking and a relaxed atmosphere, it has become a familiar stop for passing visitors.
ON ANY given day at the Hadden House Op Shop in Bass you’ll find shelves and hangers of second-hand treasures. You’ll also find familiar faces, easy conversations and a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back.
Run entirely by volunteers, the op shop sits at the heart of the Bass Community Centre and plays an important role in supporting its work. Every donation sorted and every purchase made helps fund local community programs that bring people together.
The multi-roomed shop is filled with clothing, books, bric-a-brac and household items, all generously donated by the community. With plenty of off-street parking and a relaxed atmosphere, it has become a familiar stop for passing visitors.
For many locals, the op shop is about more than bargains and treasures. It’s a place where people feel welcome. You can come in for a browse and end up staying for a chat.
The volunteers are at the centre of it. They give not just their time but their kindness and stories. They create the warmth you feel when you walk through the door.
The volunteers are at the centre of it. They give not just their time but their kindness and stories. They create the warmth you feel when you walk through the door.
Imogen with Tuppence, the unofficial mascot of Hadden House. Tuppence, a four-month-old Pomeranian, has quickly become the op shop’s unofficial mascot. On Thursdays and Fridays, she pads along beside volunteers as donations are sorted, settles in sunny corners and greets shoppers as they arrive.
People light up when they see Tuppence. She reminds us that community spaces don’t have to feel formal, they can feel like home.
Funds raised through the op shop help support the Bass Valley Community Care Friendship Group, which offers a welcoming space for older adults and people living with disability to connect, share meals and enjoy activities together. For those who attend on Monday and Wednesday, it’s often the highlight of their week.
Hadden House op shop is always happy to welcome new volunteers, whether they’re looking to give back, meet new people, or simply be part of something meaningful. Donations are also gratefully received during shop hours, helping keep the shelves full and the doors open.
Toni Cooper is the community engagement coordinator at the Bass Community Centre.
People light up when they see Tuppence. She reminds us that community spaces don’t have to feel formal, they can feel like home.
Funds raised through the op shop help support the Bass Valley Community Care Friendship Group, which offers a welcoming space for older adults and people living with disability to connect, share meals and enjoy activities together. For those who attend on Monday and Wednesday, it’s often the highlight of their week.
Hadden House op shop is always happy to welcome new volunteers, whether they’re looking to give back, meet new people, or simply be part of something meaningful. Donations are also gratefully received during shop hours, helping keep the shelves full and the doors open.
Toni Cooper is the community engagement coordinator at the Bass Community Centre.