This weekend, Lifeline is opening its doors to its first garage sale in its new facility in Goonellabah.

In the interests of community support, the cost-of-living crisis, and the circular environmental economy, they are looking to give their donated goods the best opportunity to be accessed by the community.

“The majority of things on sale are $5 or less, with the exception of a lot of camping equipment that we have received recently, but it is definitely priced to sell,” says Michael Were, General Manager of Lifeline in the Northern Rivers.

“We have a lot available at the garage sale including, women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, bric-a-brac, homewares and furniture.”

Lifeline is excited to try the new concept in Lismore because it is popular at many Lifeline warehouses, such as in Newcastle and Southern Victoria.

“We'd love to see as many people that are keen on grabbing a bargain at 9am on Friday and on. The really good news is that it's almost shopping without any guilt because all of the funds that are raised get invested directly back into Lifeline delivering its crisis and support services.”

(The lifeline shop on Lancaster Drive, Goonellabah)

Michael explains that the goods expected to be sold in stores have to be near new condition.

“So things that may have a small defect have to be put to one side. It’s essential to give these seconds a second chance - they are still in really good condition and it is a great example of us trying to do right by the environment and the circular economy.”

With the cost of living crisis, Michael is hoping that the success of the garage sale will be the first of a regular offering in the hopes of helping many trying to get by. Michael says, “Recent data suggests that about 500 calls to Lifeline each day (nationally) are related to financial management or employment and housing insecurity. 

“All of those things are combined into what we call the cost of living pressure. So that's a significant amount of the 3000 calls a day that we get that are specifically for financial hardship.

“Those figures don't take into account about 900 help seekers a day, reaching out on our texts and web chat services. And we now have on our Lifeline website a self-help support toolkit as well. We know that some of the resources we've got on our website around financial hardship are some of the resources that are downloaded the most. It's without doubt one of the biggest challenges that lifeline is seeing at the moment.”

Lifeline is very sensitive to the mounting pressures families are enduring after Covid, floods and now the increasing costs of living. “We know that financial stress and uncertainty can absolutely contribute to mental ill health. There's a growing body of evidence to suggest that people can experience an increased risk of suicide when facing these challenges. 

“Lifeline is there 24/7 and want to make sure that anybody across the Northern Rivers that's feeling overwhelmed has somebody to talk to - to know that we are here.”

Michael and the team at Lifeline welcome you to come down to Goonellabah on Friday and Saturday to grab a good deal. 

“It's on rain, hail or shine, 9am till 2pm on both Friday, 31st May and Saturday, 1st June,” confirms Michael, “and my tip is don't leave it until 1.30pm on Saturday to get down there because you'll miss out on some great bargains!”

Head to:

The Lifeline Shop Goonellabah Warehouse

32 Lancaster Drive

Friday, 31st May and Saturday, 1st June

9am until 2pm

If you are struggling and need help;

Call 13 11 14 

SMS 0477 13 11 14

Have a webchat

Or check out the resources that are available to help people feeling any concern.