She came across a plea for formal dresses for year 12 students attending school in the drought affected areas of the Hunter Valley. Taking the post to her fellow Gloucester Anglican Op Shop members, it was decided to take on the cause; sharing the post to let people know they were collecting dresses and suits.

“We were delighted with the community response,” Christine said. 

The shop received a range of lovely dresses and dinner suits, many of which they have sent in two suitcases to Maitland for distribution. 

“Your year 12 formal is a very special time,” Christine explained. “It was just a small way we could help these families out.”

“We’ve also chosen to hold onto a few dresses for the Gloucester girls who may need one this year.”

Collecting formal dresses isn’t the only thing the Anglican Church parishioners have been doing to help struggling communities during this time of drought; they’ve also been thinking about how to provide a little pampering for the hardworking women.

Luxury items like hand cream and good quality shampoo tend to be the first things to go in times of financial difficulties, so they thought it would be good to give some of this back.

Quota International Club of Gloucester provided some of their hamper packs and parishioners donated additional items, creating a car load of goodies to be taken to the Bingara Anglican Church for the women in the community.

Gloucester Anglican Church also raised $1,400 that will also be disturbed Bingara’s women to spend in their local businesses, who are also drought affected.