General News
23 December, 2025
BEST OF 2025: Group of the Year 2025 - Gil Community Op Shop
First published 29 January, 2025. Gil Community Op Shop was awarded 2025 community group of the year.
In recognition of their service, Gil Community Op Shop was awarded 2025 Community Group of the Year.
Councillor Nick White read out the two nominations in the category for the op shop, and the Gilgandra Wednesday Patchwork Quilters.
“Gil Community Op Shop was established in 2023 to fulfill a community need for an op shop. It is run by a group of passionate volunteers who provide unselfishly a valuable service for our region.
“The Op Shop offers a range of second-hand items, from clothing to cutlery, at affordable prices. Shopping second-hand saves money and extends the lifecycle of goods, cutting down on personal and industrial waste.
“Profits from the Community Op Shop are redistributed back into the Gilgandra community, funding projects around the region. Through the Gil Community Op Shop grants program, a portion of all profits is allocated to assist community groups improve local facilities, services and programs.
“Grants of up to $5000 per applicant were awarded in late 2024, depending on the nature of the project and overall evaluated benefit to the Gilgandra community.
Applications closed on September 30, 2024 with successful applicants receiving a total amount of $26,200,” read councillor White.
“Thank you for the nomination,” Joy Marchant, a representative of the Gil Community Op Shop began.
“[We are] run entirely by volunteers [who] work extremely hard to provide this service to the community, and we would like to thank everybody who has participated and continues to participate,” said Mrs Marchant.
Gil Community Op Shop has also partnered with Gilgandra High School in 2024 to provide work experience for students in a safe and local environment.
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Nominee Gilgandra Wednesday Patchwork Quilters
“The Gilgandra Wednesday Patchwork Quilters is a small group of committed ladies who come together to create quilts that are gifted to those currently going through tough times.
“The group strives to bring a little ray of happiness and hope to someone's day and struggles, by offering them a beautiful quilt that has been lovingly crafted.
“The group meets every Wednesday, except during school holidays, at the CWA Rooms to work on the quilts.
“The efforts of these ladies should be commended, and their work has been appreciated by many community members who have received a quilt during difficult times.
“Furthermore, this group also provides a fabulous social network for the ladies and encourages the continuation of an intricate skill,” read councillor White.
