After nearly 30 years Ada Latham will no longer head Ada’s Op Shop at North Haven.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 93-year-old will farewell and thank members of the community for their support at an event on Saturday, March 24.
During its time Ada's Op Shop has raised a substantial amount of money which has been used to support the Children's Hospital at Westmead, the Bonny Hills Church of Christ, Careflight and both the Bonny Hills and Camden Haven Rural Fire Services.
Shop coordinator Niki Bryan said Ada would be missed dearly.
“She’s just got an endless amount of energy to help others,” she said.
Niki joined Ada’s Op Shop after working in Sydney at Lifeline.
She thought when she moved to the Mid North Coast, she would be done with op shops.
However Niki met Ada through church and has now been at Ada’s Op Shop for eight years.
Niki said Ada runs all the other volunteers ‘ragged’ because ‘she’s so fit’.
Ada visits Settlement City in Port Macquarie by catching the bus.
“If you can catch her with a trolley in Settlement City, good luck to you,” Niki said.
“I’ve been in the shop and seen her but by the time I get out she’s gone.”
Niki said the op shop’s fundraising efforts would continue, as Hope Shop would be taking it over.
Ada’s service has earnt her an honorary membership with the Camden Haven Rural Fire Service in recognition of her valuable contributions and generosity.
Ada was the first person to be recognised in this way by the Camden Haven brigade in its plus-40 year history.
Over the years Ada has received numerous letters and certificates from the organisations, thanking her for her contribution.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said she is looking forward to attending Ada’s retirement luncheon on Saturday, March 24.
Mrs Williams will acknowledge Ada’s work as an outstanding community volunteer in NSW Parliament when it next resumes.
Ada is planning on taking a holiday, and visiting a few places she has never seen before with a friend.
Over the last 30 years Ada hasn’t explored too far afield, apart from going on a cruise.
Before she became owner of Ada’s Op Shop, she helped run the caravan park next door for 30 years.
The op shop grew from Ada selling dolls out of a garage for the children’s hospital.
The community is invited to say farewell to Ada at an open day at the op shop on Saturday, March 24 from 10am. Everyone is welcome.