Living and Learning Down Under: Monday (9th)... Op Shop.

Today we walked to Magil and rather quickly were picked up by Sharon who is stationed at another LCC site. Sharon took us to the Blair Athol site where we worked all day at the op shop (thrift store). It was quite an experience! I'm sure news has hit the states, but the Victoria bush fires have caused quite a bit of damage (750ish homes burned) and have killed 180ish people , and a few dozen are still missing... what is sick about all this is that some have been caused by people deliberately starting fires. People have not been able to evacuate because the fires are moving faster than normal, these fires are easily moving 5 kilometers in 5 minutes. Due to all the devastation up there, the op shop at Bliar Athol is putting together emergency relief packages. So, today went through hundreds and hundreds of clothes and sorted them into rubbish (trash), and into each age group.

(The op shop- picture from Ellie's camera)

What is really neat about this op shop is that they only put out clothing that is in good condition, so there are no clothes sent out or sold with holes, stains, etc. Therefore, the people in Victoria are getting quality clothing. The clothes that are sorted into the rubbish bin are then cut up into rags. The LCC op shop gains profit by selling rags to certain organizations, it is a neat way of funding the shop. The volunteers we were working with are elderly women in their 80s who are very sweet. Mel has been volunteering with this op shop for over 40 years! Edith and Maralee are a bit younger (but are very interesting and have good stories to share).

(Morialta Conservation Park)

After working at the op shop we returned to Hosanna Heights and then went on a walk through the Morialta Conservation Park that is right across the street where we're staying. We saw 4 Koalas, but they were sleeping because they're nocturnal. :( We made our way up some stairs to Giant's Cave where there was a absolutely BEAUTIFUL view! When we were getting ready to head back we heard this very loud growling sound.... Hilary and Ellie froze, and I of course, being the one who laughs at the wrong time- always, began to laugh and take funny photos. It sounded sort of like a large bull frog, but sort of like something that was going to attack- it was loud! We rushed back to our rooms... the next day we found out that it was the Koala's who make that noise! haha... Hilary thought it was a dingo or something! It was great.... I've never heard a Koala growl before!