After a decade of community connection, sustainable shopping and social enterprise in Woden, we have made the difficult decision not to reopen our Phillip Retail Shop. 

When flooding forced the temporary closure of the shop earlier this year, our intention was to complete repairs and reopen as soon as possible. We were grateful for the many donations, messages of support, and encouragement we received from customers, volunteers, and community members who were looking forward to welcoming the shop back. 

Anglicare has been carefully considering the future of our retail operations. As our shops continue to evolve, we are increasingly focused on creating spaces that can support a broader range of community programs and services, including initiatives that provide affordable groceries and practical support directly to people in need.

Following extensive consideration, we have concluded that the Phillip site is not the right location to support this long-term vision. While this has been a difficult decision, it is one that we believe will help us better serve our communities into the future.

As we reflect on the past decade, we want to recognise the difference the Phillip shop has made in our community, and the volunteers who made that impact possible. 

Through the generosity of donors, shoppers and volunteers, the shop has helped raise funds that support a range of community services, including emergency food relief and assistance for people experiencing hardship. This impact has extended far beyond the shop itself, helping ensure individuals and families across our region can access support when they need it most. 

For many volunteers, the shop was a place of friendship, purpose, connection, and belonging. It was somewhere people could contribute their skills, share a laugh and a cuppa, support one another, and be part of something meaningful. For many, it was more than a place to volunteer, it was a community. The relationships built at Phillip have been just as important as the work that took place there. 

We would like to offer a special thank you to volunteer Jean, whose dedication to Anglicare spans decades. Now in her 90s, Jean has generously contributed countless hours of service and spent many of her later years volunteering at Phillip. Her warmth, commitment, and care have touched the lives of fellow volunteers, customers, and staff alike. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to our organisation and community. 

To every volunteer, donor, customer, and supporter who helped make the Phillip shop what it was: thank you. Your contribution has made a genuine difference in the lives of others. Whether through creating a welcoming place for the community, promoting sustainable reuse, or helping fund services for people experiencing hardship, your impact will continue long after the doors close. 

While this chapter is ending, our Erindale and Queanbeyan Retail Shops remain open, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community through these locations and future initiatives. 

Thank you for being part of the Phillip story.