Card Shop stalwarts mark their success

THIRTY-seven years’ worth of Ballarat Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop volunteers and supporters have gathered to celebrate the initiative’s long-term contribution to community organisations.

During an afternoon tea at the Ballarat Golf Club, the shop’s final coordinator Denise Boyko reflected on the festive institution’s history.

“It was initially instigated under the umbrella of the Citizens Advice Bureau, opening in 1985, but when the CAB closed due to cessation of funding, Connie Sadler established the Charity Card Shop as an independent entity in 1993,” she said.

“In the years that followed, the Shop moved through six premises. For the past three years we’ve operated from St John’s Lutheran Church Hall, as well as running pop-up shops at Ballarat Health Services.

“Thousands of cards have been sold for local, state and Australia-wide charities by our 150 volunteers. In later years, plants, decorations and carefully crafted gifts have been sold to provide additional funds to charities, and pay for the running costs of the shop.”

Incoming Rotary district governor Kathy Rivett surprised Mrs Sadler during the afternoon tea, inducting her as Paul Harris Fellow for her commitment to community service, and the common goals of world understanding and peace.

The Shop’s final treasurer of four years Pamela Foulkes was able to report on financial records she had from 1994 to 2021, which noted support of 95 different charities over the years.

“They paint quite a remarkable picture. The records I have show that the total of funds dispersed to charities was $626,801, and since the average annual sum dispersed was $23,000, if we add in those years which I’m missing, the final sum would be well over $700,000,” she said.

“I was also struck by the range of organisations supported over the years; international charities such as Horizons of Hope, national charities like the Royal Flying Doctors Service, and a range of Victorian charities such as the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“But there’s been a focus on the local Ballarat community with funds raised for a number of projects, like the Ballarat Health Services Special Care Nursery, The SoupBus, and Uniting Care Outreach program.”

Former treasurer Judy Morrison volunteered with the Shop for more than 30 years, also crafting knitted items for sale.

“I enjoyed talking to and communicating with people there, and it gave me a reason to do my craft because the money would go to charity,” she said.