Grovedale volunteer-run costume supplier The Dress Up Place is facing closure without community support, its co-founder Julie Hall has warned.
“It’s sad but we know what’s coming and that’s why we’re hoping someone or some organisation might be able to help us out,” Julie said.
For decades the not-for-profit group has helped schools and theatre troupes stage productions, while working closely with disabled volunteers.
From the Little Mermaid to the Little Shop of Horrors, medieval weddings to themed parties, the shop had “provided costumes for everyone,” Julie said.
St Lawrence disability services approached The Dress Up Place some time ago about retraining people to re-enter the workforce, which eventually became “a big part of our operation,” Julie said.
“We’re not funded for that any more but we currently have 14 volunteers and eight have a disability of some sort.
“We have three cancer survivors, three diabetics, two with epilepsy, a couple with OCD and a lady who’s deaf.”
But business had tightened, which could force the shop to hang up its 27,000 costumes for good, Julie explained.
“We still get schools and amateur theatre companies but the public demand has dropped off,” she said.
“There’s Book Wee, dress-up days and school concerts, so things are usually busy for the last six months of the year.
“But the first half is usually quiet and we’re basically funded to the end of March and that’s it.”
Julie urged anyone wanting to help, either with financial support or an alternate venue, to email her at jhall@thedressupplace.com.au
