Lifestyle change brings new manager to Salvos

After moving to the Bega Valley from Sydney with his wife Janne Rasmussen, Roger Foote saw saw the advertisement for the position with the Salvos and jumped at the chance to work for the charity.

“It was something I thought would be good for my soul,” he said.

“I’d get to know the community, which was one of the main reasons I moved here; to feel part of a local community.

“I love op shops as well. My wife’s side of the family are antique dealers. 

“It just kind of called to me.”   

There is a huge difference to working in the city, as he has enjoyed being part of a community-focused team.

“Living in the city and working big hours, you just lose touch with the community,” Mr Foote said.

“You don’t really talk to your neighbours even, let alone be involved with the community, so it was something I wanted to get in touch with.” 

Mr Foote is no stranger to the Valley, as he has been going to Pambula to camp for family holidays since the 1980s. 

It is no short-term move to the area, as he worked in Sydney at the same company for 20 years so hopes to work at the Bega Salvos store for another 20 years. 

“I’d like to spend the rest of my life down here,” he said. 

He does have plans for the Bega Salvos store during his time as store manager. 

“I’m trying to achieve the perfect balance between a quality, retro second-hand store and a community-focused opportunity shop,” he said. 

“Not only can we provide a service with affordable clothing and furniture for the community, but also we can attract tourists to the area to seek out that special bargain or piece of furniture.”

In order to do that, he said he has to be hands-on and observe everything that comes in.

“I have to say that volunteers are the biggest part of it. A lot of them are experts in the field they are working in behind the scenes,” he said.

He said the volunteers sort through the donations to the store, find items, set the more intriguing ones aside then together they do the research to discover how much it is worth. 

“Without volunteers the store is nothing, really. It revolves around the help and generosity of the volunteers, they just bring the magic to the store,” Mr Foote said.

“The fact they’re giving up their time to work here and do what they do, I think that creates the atmosphere that makes the store so welcoming.” 

The Salvos store in Bega is not just about selling cheap goods.

“It’s a place to come in if people just want to have a chat,” Mr Foote said. 

Community help is available from the Salvation Army church at 170 Auckland St, Bega every Thursday from 9.30am to 12pm. For more information call 6492 3332.

If you find yourself in financial crisis and need assistance call Salvos Connect on 1300 371 288.