Senior Citizens Club president Leanne Dullard standing in front of the club’s original op shop before it was demolished.
Champagne glasses were raised as longtime volunteers watched the demolition of Rochester Senior Citizens' original op shop building.
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The demolition of Rochester Senior Citizens’ original op shop building has marked the end of an era for the organisation and a step towards a new op shop.
The op shop was first built in 1966 and served the Rochester community for decades before deteriorating to the point where it was no longer safe to use.
Senior Citizens Club president Leanne Dullard said the building had long been in decline.
“I worked in there for quite a few years before it (shut) and it was falling apart,” she said.
“We were spending thousands of dollars trying to keep the building upright and we had to cover floors because people kept stepping through the floors and things like that. It was absolutely just shocking.”
The Rochester Senior Citizens Op Shop demolition happened on Tuesday, June 16. Photo: Supplied.
When floods hit Rochester in 2011, the building was left unattended for a year, creating ideal conditions for termites to take hold.
By the time the damage was discovered, much of the building had been eaten away.
Despite treatment efforts, the termite damage was irreversible, leaving little more than a shell of the original structure.
What followed was years of work with Campaspe Shire Council to secure the demolition needed to make way for a new op shop.
Senior Citizen Op Shop volunteers Lyn Francis, Shirley Wallace, Rose Williamson, Linda LeComte, Sue Stock, Leeanne Dullard and Cheryl Urch. Photo: Supplied.
Despite the frustration and challenges during that period, seeing the building finally come down was an emotional moment for volunteers, including Mrs Dullard.
“I thought I wouldn’t feel anything, but I did,” she said.
“I went back later and took a photo of just the rubble and I felt… it’s gone. It’s actually gone.”
“It was sad, it was like that era of history is gone.”
While the demolition closed one chapter, attention is now turning to what comes next.
Plans are under way to rebuild a new op shop, however funding remains the key barrier.
The group is currently more than halfway toward its fundraising target, with efforts continuing through its Buy a Brick campaign and other community initiatives.
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