Event of the Year - Nominees

The Meeniyan Area Community Shop is more than a well-known establishment – it’s a cornerstone of community spirit and sustainability. For 17 years, this volunteer-driven op-shop has combined style with purpose, creating a space where pre-loved goods find new homes and funds flow back into local projects.  

On Tuesday 27 February 2025, the Meeniyan Community Shop reached an extraordinary milestone: injecting $1 million into the local community. This achievement was marked with a modest yet heartfelt celebration – cuppas, cake, and over 100 past and present volunteers dropping in throughout the afternoon to share in the pride of what they’ve built together.  

This success is a testament to the tireless hours donated by volunteers who have kept the shop thriving year after year. Their efforts have supported a wide range of local organisations, including Meeniyan Preschool, Primary School, Golf and Bowls Clubs, Football Club, Recreation Reserve, Progress Association Mural Project, Community Cupboard, CFA brigades, Community Garden, CWA, Historical Society, Men’s Shed, Youth Hall, St Andrews Church, Dumbalk Progress Association, Grassy Spur Pool, MDU Cricket Club, and Stony Creek Football Club.  

Many of these groups received regular donations, while others benefited from substantial contributions that enabled vital improvements – upgraded facilities, new equipment, enhanced safety measures, and community programs that otherwise might never have happened. These funds have strengthened the social fabric of Meeniyan and surrounding districts, ensuring that local organisations can continue to serve and grow.  

This celebration of such an incredible achievement deserves more than cake – it deserves recognition as a shining example of what community can accomplish when people come together with a shared purpose. The Meeniyan Area Community Shop has proven that sustainability and generosity go hand in hand, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.