After nearly four weeks of hard work the mood was triumphant at the Lions Club of Corio Norlane Opportunity Shop grand reopening on Tuesday morning.
The op-shop was forced to close for repairs after sustaining serious water damage to the roof, ceiling, walls and stock due to heavy storms in April and May.
After receiving a sum of money from insurers to repair the damage, store manager John McKinnin and Robert Eyton of Lions Club of Lara decided to spearhead the project to completely overhaul the shop.
Mr McKinnin said he and his Lions Club colleagues had canvassed all their friends and families to pitch in to tackle the huge job.
“Thanks to all the volunteer labourers from Lara and our own club we’ve managed to get the whole shop painted, new ceiling, new carpet and new shelving,” Mr McKinnin said.
“This could never have happened without the volunteers, their commitment and the work they put in.
Once the renovation plan was agreed upon Lions Club members worked hard to solicit and organise volunteers to tackle the work.
“The insurers gave us some money and we managed to stretch it out and do everything else, with the help of the volunteers and donations,” McKinnon said.
New shelving worth over $800 was supplied by Bunnings, while Dulux also donated $400 worth of paint.
Mr McKinnin said work had continued right up until the eve of the grand re-opening.
“We worked until 6 o’clock Monday night,” he said.
“We only just finished laying the tiles, hanging the last of the curtains and setting up the knick-knacks on the shelves. It’s been four weeks of solid going.”
Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy was on hand to help celebrate the occasion, as was Lions Club district governor Lee-Ann Anselmo.
“It’s wonderful to see the business re-opened; it wouldn’t have been possible without this group of like-minded people willing to work for the benefit of everybody,” Mayor Murrihy said.
“The sense of community in our northern suburbs is marvellous, and never more on display than it is here.”
