This Day in History: 1979-03-28

The Toodyay Op Shop, then located next to the former Toodyay Tavern, on Stirling Terrace, was officially opened by Toodyay Shire President Adrian Bolton. An idea of Shirley Patten’s, the shop’s original purpose was to give mothers, who were in town while their children attended Kindergarten, something to do. Tavern publican Brian Young offered the premises rent-free. The Toodyay Co-op lent a large shop counter. The official staff at that time was Mrs. Shirley Patten, Mrs. Beryl Large and Mrs. Lynette Novak with a band of helpers. The first annual donation was given to the Toodyay Homes for the Aged.

Sources:
Central districts herald-tribune, 13 Dec. 1979, p.24.
Toodyay herald, Dec. 1984, p.7; April 1999, p.1; Mar. 2003, p.14; Mar. 2004, p.1.
Conversation with Shirley Patten, 17 April 2015.