New opportunity knocks

By Kath Gannaway
THE new Yarra Valley FM Opportunity Shop opened in Woori Yallock last week after many months of planning by radio presenter Deanne Greene and her team of volunteers.
Ms Greene said one of the reasons for opening the shop was a transmission failure which threatened to close the station down.
“We had no funds in reserve and we were fortunate that we were able to get through with the help of our local Rotary Clubs and the Yarra Junction Op Shop,” Ms Greene said.
“We don’t ever want to be in that position again and this will help raise the funds we need.”
The team has worked tirelessly, cleaning and painting the shop and sorting the many donations of clothes and knick-knacks which have been donated by the community.
Ms Greene said although she had never managed an opportunity shop before, she had served a very good “apprenticeship” as a regular helper to her sister, Marea Yann.
Mrs Yann ran the East End Opportunity Shop in Healesville for several years before she was murdered two years ago.
“Marea had often said we should open an opportunity shop to support the station and she was very much the driving-force behind this shop,” Ms Greene said.
She said her sister’s insistence on only presenting quality, clean clothing for sale and her attention to detail in every aspect of presentation had certainly rubbed off and was the model for the new shop.
The Yarra Valley FM Opportunity Shop, on Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock, is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.