Volunteer backlash as St Vinnies investigate
Busselton's St Vincent de Paul Society op shop is in turmoil after the mass walkout of volunteers in protest over the charity's alleged mistreatment of the store's former manager.
Volunteers have never been told why Vinnies hired a private investigator to investigate former manager Karen Iles, who was suspended from duty last month.
Numerous long-term volunteers have resigned in protest over what they see as unfair treatment of a respected and popular manager who helped make the op shop one of Australia's most successful.
Former truck drivers Terry Mullins and John Dennis resigned after being told to dump bags of unsorted donations at the tip following Ms Iles' departure.
"Some of it was very valuable. I didn't like doing it," Mr Mullins said. "(We were told) we didn't have room but I knew we had … I think it's terrible. My wife Margaret walked out after two-and- a-half years for the same reason."
Former volunteer Vonne Mitchell claimed her friend saw valuable items she had donated to Vinnies the day before being dumped at the tip.
Volunteers Jenny Stewart and Rhonda Smith said the op shop had turned away donations since Ms Iles' suspension.
"A sign's been up on the gate asking for no donations," Ms Smith said. "That's a first."
"A lot of the volunteers have left and a lot of others are disgruntled," Ms Stewart said.
"Fifty per cent of the customers who came through the door knew Karen by name. It was a lovely atmosphere."
St Vincent de Paul Society WA chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick said operational issues were identified at the shop by "a number of sources" and initially examined internally. The action taken was in the best interests of the staff member, organisation and donors, he said.
"The St Vincent de Paul Society sought external expert advice with the aim to bring a fair and timely resolution to the operational issues at the Vinnies Busselton shop which further resulted in an independent investigation," he said.
"At all times the best interests of the people we serve, our benefactors, the community and wider organisation were considered."
Mr Fitzpatrick said the shop had exceeded capacity at this busy time due to limited warehouse space and other charities were contacted for assistance to sort donations as best as possible.
He said Vinnies received a proportion of unusable donations which were soiled, stained and damaged.
"Where possible these items are recycled or they are disposed of," he said. "At different times of the year, shops may experience a surge in donations. All quality donations are used for emergency relief or are directed for sale through the Vinnies shops."
The Busselton shop would remain open and continue to operate as normal, Mr Fitzpatrick said.
But the developments have left many volunteers and former volunteers angry. Jill Perry said she was left questioning whether to continue volunteering at the shop.
"It's a lot more than a shop," she said.
"It was a little hub of happiness. It's very sad."
Ms Illes declined to comment and the Times understands she has since resigned.
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