Tramulla Op Shop

A social enterprise which creates a space for enterprise learning. Profits are used for activities that support connection to culture and country.

The Tramulla Strong Women’s Group had a clear vision to open a community owned and run Op Shop, and in March 2019 the Tramulla Op Shop opened for business. The Tramulla Op Shop builds foundational skills in entrepreneurship and has achieved a number of significant milestones over the last four years including:

• The development of strategic partnerships for the regular supply and transport of pre-loved clothing stock to Kalumburu including; The Remote Op Shop Project and Australia Post.

• Regular pop-up shops to support learning in the early stages of enterprise development

• Securing a retail space for the shop in the community

• Hands on training in retail management, financial management, marketing and social media, and the development of policies and procedures for operations

• Recruitment and training of volunteers

• Participation in EPWA'‘s ‘train the trainer’ program.

Tramulla op shop supports women to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to independently run the op shop as a social enterprise. Profits from the sales of goods are used to fund cultural activities such as fishing trips that support connection to culture and country and benefit the community.

This project, via the leadership of the Tramulla Strong Women’s Group and support from Enterprise Partnerships WA, has enabled capacity building for women and young women who are economically excluded and marginalised. The project promotes mental health and well-being through engagement in meaningful work and by increasing access to cultural activities. Maggie Captain and traditional owner Gertrude Waina currently lead the Tramulla op shop with support from volunteers. Zarika Peumora has recently been trained by Maggie to support the management of Tramulla op Shop.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following content may contain images of deceased persons. With permission of her family we have included an image below of Tramulla Strong Women’s Group Leader and Chair of Kalumburu Community, Doreen Unghango, who passed away in 2019. She had the vision to create the Tramulla Op Shop and to support young people in Kalumburu to learn about enterprise. She worked hard to create opportunities for healing for women and children in Kalumburu and is dearly missed.

“It is our dream for us women to get up and make the community stronger.  Us strong women are volunteers to make things good for our children and our future, so funding can help us do this.” Doreen Unghango, (deceased) Leader of Tramalla Strong Women’s Group

To find out more visit the Tramulla Op Shop facebook page.

Also visit the Remote Op Shop Project to find out about other community-run op shops across remote Australia.