Part-time nurse, full-time mother, lifelong volunteer - Linda's story

Linda Tuuhetoka has devoted over two decades to serving her community through Jesuit Social Services’ Ignite Op Shop, a social enterprise in Emerton, New South Wales, that provides affordable second-hand home goods, clothing, and furniture. While the world around her has changed, Linda’s unwavering commitment to the shop and the people it serves remains constant.

Linda moved from Tonga to Australia in 1985, settling in Tregear, where she later raised all seven of her children. It was through the Holy Family Parish that she first learned about the Ignite Op Shop and its mission to support the local community. Linda recalls how Father Hannah, the parish priest at the time, showed her the power that comes with giving back to the community.

“I witnessed his philosophy of giving – he and others from the church would deliver food to people in the community and bring fresh bread for those attending services. He also assisted with efforts to support the First Nations and Aboriginal communities in the area.”

Despite balancing the demanding roles of part-time nurse and full-time mother, Linda began volunteering at the Op Shop in 1998. She still treasures a photo from that year, where she stands as the youngest volunteer among a group of dedicated women.

In 2004, after the birth of her seventh child, Linda fell ill and had to step away from her nursing career. The Op Shop became a vital part of her life, a place she looked forward to each week.

“There is such a diverse group of people that come into the shop. It’s not just people from the parish or Australians, its everyone…and you learn so much from them and their stories. There are many facing challenges like housing loss due to bushfires or struggling to afford basic necessities. They urgently need help with furniture, bedroom items and kitchen items for their temporary accommodation.”

“I’ve had kids come in before and ask ‘can I have this, Mum? It’s just one dollar’ and the mother said ‘nope, we can’t afford that.’ It’s so sad, you know? People are really struggling,” Linda shares.

As the cost of living continues to climb, the role of places like the Ignite Op Shop becomes even more essential. Even large organisations are seeing the prices of their items increase. “Everything is expensive. Myself even, I am still struggling. Even though my kids are working now, it’s still hard to put food on the table and pay all the bills. I suppose that’s what keeps me coming back…because I know others are in my position too.”

20 years on, Linda has no plans to stop volunteering her time to help those in need of extra support. She says it has deepened her relationship with her faith, her Emerton community, and herself.

In 2017, Linda was honoured with the Chifley Volunteer Award from Ed Husic in recognition of her impact on the community. Even in 2023, while caring for her husband after he suffered a stroke, she continued to lend her time to others.

“I think God is still calling me to help the community. I’ve been at the shop for more than 20 years and I’m still here…still thanking god, still breathing, still helping people.”

“I hope I never stop.”