WE WERE GIVEN TWO HANDS
One for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
OUR TEAM
Clothes4U was established by a group of women in 2013 in Rosebud.
It is now run by a wonderful group of more than 40 dedicated volunteers.
Meet a few of them here...
Tina Donoghue
President​​​​
As a founding member in 2013, I am passionate about providing the very best we can to our clients. After 50 years nursing I had the need to be needed, so after retiring I found working with 'Dress for Success' to help unemployed and underemployed women a stepping stone towards contributing. When they closed us down in Rosebud a team of us got together and established Clothes 4U. As the second President of this wonderful service, it is a role that I enjoy and when a client leaves feeling they are worthy that someone cares and they look great, it gives me great satisfaction.
Melinda King
Vice President
With a background in both education & communication in the local Peninsula community, I felt that the services provided by Clothes4U were a good fit for my interests and abilities with regard to volunteering. Starting with this not for profit organisation in 2015, I have been a part of our growth and expansion to our 2 current locations for both Men and Women. Our marketing and outreach programs extends to many agencies, charities, community groups, food banks, organisations and educational institutions across the Mornington Peninsula and beyond. The most heart-warming aspect of volunteering for Clothes4U is witnessing the joy of seeing our clients' satisfaction with their outfits and accessories, and the confidence and self esteem this brings.
Barb Fox
Secretary​​​
I started with Clothes4U at its inception in 2013. With a background of secretarial employment, assisting a number of CEOs and running my own business, I was able to be instrumental in the creation and implementation of policy for Clothes4U. I enjoy nothing more than seeing the transformation of clients who have been attended by our wonderful volunteers. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the transformation of clients from the time they enter the boutique to the time they leave.
Janette Pearman
Treasurer
I was a secondary school teacher for over 35 years and in the later years a Career Councillor and Careers Pathway coordinator. C4U greatly appealed to me as it involved interacting with clients to find helpful and supportive solutions to help improve their self esteem. Following very positive comments from friends about C4U, I decided after retiring that volunteering was a way of ultilising my skills and continuing to focus on individuals who needed support in a respectful environment. I have volunteered at C4U from 2018. Each client who visits C4U has their own story and the volunteers have time and empathy to listen and personalise their needs, by providing some of the basic necessities of life like clothing, toiletries and often bedding. Most importantly when clients leave our Boutique they know they can return to our supportive non -judgemental environment. Working with other likeminded volunteers has proved very rewarding and stimulating.
Shirley St George
Executive Team Member
From the very beginning of Clothes4U Shirley has been an important member of our volunteer team. She has been the voice on the end of the phone navigating our diverse clients needs and arranging their appointments. Generous, kind and full hearted, Shirley is taking an extended break and we look forward to seeing her again.
Heather Weller
Executive Committee Member
Ten years ago I retired and moved to the Mornington Peninsula. After spending many years in senior management, I needed something to do that would utilise my skills and experience as well as enabling me to contribute to my local community. Purely by chance I found C4U. I love being part of a group of people committed to helping others, and that feeling you get when a client comes in, anxious, totally lacking confidence, and leaves with a big smile on their face. There’s really nothing more satisfying.
Liz Hewitt
Executive Committee Member
Inspired by the needs of many in our community, I became one of the founding members of Clothes4U in 2013. After retiring, following many years of secondary teaching at a local secondary school, I wanted to continue to contribute to our community. Volunteering with Clothes4U enables me to help people to feel more confident and capable of participating in work and in everyday activities by helping them to find clothes and shoes to suit their circumstances. I enjoy being part of a team of volunteers who are responding to community needs. By volunteering, I can meet and help many people by using skills that I developed over many years of working in schools. I also enjoy training new people when they apply to volunteer with us. I am very happy that Clothes4U provides an outlet for the free recycling of clothes so that they can be repurposed, rather than being simply thrown away. Working at Clothes4U is something that I enjoy very much and it helps me to understand more about the community in which we live and to encourage and support it.
Shannon Smitt
Our Ambassador
Shannon is the Founding Director of Smart Business Solutions Group and Smart Private Wealth. and a generous dedicated supporter of Clothes4U. With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, before settling back to the Peninsula, Shannon established Smart Business Solutions Group in 2007 and specialises in interest in property portfolios, SMSF and superannuation strategies, and business tax expertise. A leader of the most awarded business advisory firm on the Mornington Peninsula, Shannon and the team at Smart Business Solutions Group are your partners in wealth accumulation, protection and management for today and beyond and support their local community with passion.
A Statement from Veronica our inaugural President.
"It has been a privilege to serve as President of C4U over many years.
To lead and work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of
individuals has been a true honour. Over the years we have accomplished
so much together. We have helped countless individuals and families in need.
​We have advocated for important causes and made a real difference in our community.
However, none of this would have been possible without the support and the hard
work of each and every Volunteer. Their commitment to our mission has been unwavering,
and it has been a privilege to serve along side a passionate and dedicated team.
Together we made a real difference and created a brighter future for all. Thank you."
Veronica Whittaker
Veronica Whittaker
Our First President
Since 2013, Volunteers continue to be
the heart and backbone of Clothes4U
Wonderful volunteers have made and make Clothes4U a place that respects and cares.
They are excited to create great memories while providing practical service.
A big shout out to all our incredible volunteers across the years and our wonderful founding members, many who still volunteer! Thank you ALL so very much.