From craft store to one of Port Macquarie’s community hubs

FOR California-born Dawn Tindall, Australia was just going to be one stop of several on a working holiday.

But meeting her now husband and falling in love with the country and its people, meant a change of plans.

The couple and their daughter now call Port Macquarie home.

With a background in education and disability, Dawn is passionate about sustainable economies, which led to her setting up the store Community Crafts in the Colonial Arcade.

The original goal was to create a space where people could donate unwanted craft items that could be sold on at a small cost, keeping unwanted products out of landfill while allowing consumers on a budget to purchase crafty wares.

What Dawn didn’t anticipate was the shop becoming a community hub, where locals would gather looking for community connection and assistance with accessing social services.

She told News Of The Area, “We receive a lot of donations from people who are about to be made homeless, we

have also become a safe space for some marginalised sections of society, we’re no longer just a craft shop.

“I cover most of the operating costs of the store and have help from volunteers to sort the donated items; currently

I’m putting together a craft directory for the local area, but my long-term goal is to build a cooperative that is circular in nature.”

Airconditioning, accessibility for wheelchairs, and the availability of hot drinks, sees locals popping in for a chat, and workers from nearby businesses eating their lunch at the tables and chairs in the centre of the store.

Recognising the growing need, Dawn has applied for a social work student to be allocated to the shop two days a week to liaise with those needing referrals to additional services.

The shop regularly hosts craft classes as well as a local board game group.

For more details, go to communitycrafts.com.au.

By Rachael THORPE