TRANSITION Village Wallan, TVW, has moved to a new permanent premises in Kilmore, expanding the successful recycled and upcycled op shop project.
The group is a community-managed charity aimed at developing an eco-friendly village for people who are or are at risk of homelessness.
The new op shop, located at 6/84-86 Sydney Street, next to Burson Auto Parts, will be known as the TVW Community Hub and home to a range of groups and spaces for people to visit and be involved in.
TVW chief executive Judy Clarke said the space allowed for more people to have a dedicated place to visit and feel welcome.
“People can come when they’re a bit alone, a bit angry, or whatever and sit and we’ll just chat in a calm space,” she said.
“We think it’s really important for people to have a space to come to if they’ve got nowhere else to go, or if they just want to be around people.”
The store will be home to a large op shop, space for the menders and makers group and a small ‘cuppa and chat’ space with a children’s activity area.

Ms Clarke said more facilities would be added for people who wished to be involved in a community-based project.
TVW encourages donations of toys, equipment, appliances and clothes to support the motive of sustainability.
“I like the fact that our donations are coming locally, sales are local, and the money goes back to a local project,” Ms Clarke said.
“It’s wonderful to donate through some of the bigger op shops, but to know that your money is actually making a difference in your community I think is really quite rewarding.”
Ms Clarke said the aim of the project was to be as sustainable as possible to reduce the volume of waste going to landfill.
TVW is also hoping to construct its village in 2022, providing a place for people to live and exist in a community when they may not have any other option.
Ms Clarke said the hub would also support future village residents by offering work experience and training programs.
She welcomed volunteers to join the hub, with people encouraged to visit if they wish to assist with the project or if they want to spend time in a safe environment.