Volunteers declare it’s ‘profits over people’ as beloved community charity forced to close its doors

The Waroona Vinnies team started the year full of pride, winning an award on Australia Day for active citizenship but now feel anger, uncertainty and sadness as their community charity is being forced to close its doors.

The team will be permanently closing the doors on June 30, taking with it a vital community asset that many have relied on for years.

For the volunteers, the announcement came as a gut-wrenching shock two weeks ago.

In a statement, Vinnies WA chief executive Susan Rooney said the decision was not made lightly, but a recent review found the shop was no longer financially viable.

For the volunteers who spend their days cleaning clothes, organising food hampers and helping those in need, the decision was nothing less than a slap in the face.

Volunteer Winnie Goucher now finds herself shaking with rage.

It’s profits over people,

Volunteer Shirley Byham said they were told the store wasn’t viable, but never once told what viable meant considering they’re a charity.

“The store was never expected to make a profit,” she said.

It was here to help the community.

Most concerning, volunteer Bev Herbert said, is the impact the closure will have on the most vulnerable community members.

“I feel really worried about the people that rely on us to get clothes,” she said.

“Especially the people that come to us to get their kids clothes here.

“We don’t know what their situation is, but this little thing can tip somebody over the edge.”

In the release, Ms Rooney assured Vinnies services and the store in Pinjarra would remain open to support the Waroona community.

The volunteers were also informed they would be welcome to volunteer at different stores such as Pinjarra or Harvey.

However, Mrs Byham was quick to point out many people could not drive or do not have access to a vehicle.

Disappointed and defeated Mrs Goucher said she would have been willing to continue to work at the store forever.

“But, I won’t go to another Vinnies after this,” she said.

All the volunteers agree — if the store is not profitable, they should have the opportunity to course correct.”

Currently the store is only open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but the team are keen to open more.

Mrs Herbert said it was a decision from Vinnies’ upper management to not allow them to open more days as they did not have enough volunteers.

But with 10 active volunteers and two more planning to join, she said they would be open significantly more if given the chance.

It is especially hard for the team to grasp after they were awarded the Australia Day award for active citizenship at the start of this year.

“(The award) shows the community appreciates us, needs us and is grateful for all the work that we do to help,” Mrs Herbert said.

“We are valued by the community, but we are not valued by Vinnies.”