Broome Uniting: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley

The Broome Church today

The Broome Uniting Church congregation in recent times is predominantly lay-led, with visiting ministers serving in supply placements during the dry season. Currently in supply ministry is Rev Bob Smith, who with his wife Marilyn, are immersing themselves in the congregation for a couple of months. The congregation expands and contracts depending on the season and work schedules. This mirrors the fluctuating population of the tourist town. Supply ministry assists the local congregation with worship, pastoral care and leadership support during the busier times.

Every Sunday morning the church offers a welcoming place of worship. When weather permits, people can choose to sit inside the church sanctuary, or chairs are available on the wide verandahs for those who prefer to be outside. With the doors pulled back, the inside and outside blend creating an invitational space for anyone who wishes to share in worship and stay for a cuppa after the service.

A Gathering Place

A key outreach of Broome Uniting Church is the thriving op shop. Originally operating on the verandahs of the church building in 1975, the operation was expanded to a small building called the Hostel for many years, located on the Anne Street property, and then in 2010 following renovation of ‘Rolland House’ the op shop expanded into its new home.

Today the op shop fills several rooms of Rolland House, plus its large lattice enclosed verandah and spills out onto the grounds. The shop is popular with travellers, tourists and the local community, and is open on Thursday and Saturday mornings from April to October, closing between November and March during the wet season.

A team of around eight key volunteers help keep things running smoothly. As well as selling pre-loved goods on the opening days, there’s the behind-the-scenes work of sorting, arranging and pricing of donations during the week. The church also donates items to local groups including animal rescues, craft groups, the library’s dementia program, and they endeavour to fill requests from community groups depending on need. The op shop is also a popular port of call for local theatre groups and visiting film crews hunting for props.

During the devastating Fitzroy River Floods in early 2023 the congregation were able to meet requests for supplies from local community groups including linen, clothes and shoes for distribution via community health workers assisting in the area.

As well as being a hub for second-hand goods, the congregation have also been maintaining a community vegetable garden in the grounds of Rolland House. Produce from the garden is shared amongst the volunteers and congregation when available, and plants are for sale to the community.

The team were also proud to be contributing to the circular economy, sharing of their resourceful approach to recycling and repurposing donations. You will often find Michael Lake, Chairperson of the Church Council and other volunteers testing and tagging electrical equipment. They also have puzzle sorters, jewellery detanglers and were positive in their ability to find uses for most items donated, resulting in minimal waste.

The Listening Table

For some people, a visit to the op shop is about more than just thrifting a bargain. Amongst the vibrancy of the shop mornings, the congregation have set up a table and chairs under the shade of the beautiful cashew tree. On opening days when there’s a supply minister like Bob in placement they will often be found seated at the ‘listening table’ reading a book with a cuppa, ready to sit and chat with whoever wants to, whether it be for some company, or for those seeking pastoral care.

The congregation through the outreach of the op shop have become a reliable source of support and resources, as well as a gathering place for wider community.

100 Year Anniversary Celebrations

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the unique building that houses the Broome Uniting Church, and 116 years of ministry in Broome, an evening of celebration will take place on Saturday 29 August, followed by worship on Sunday morning 30 August.

Those with connections to the founders of the church, past ministers, past and current congregational members are invited to attend.

Please note that these events will coincide with the Shinju Matsuri Festival so early planning of travel and accommodation is advised. For more information, contact Broome Uniting Church via email here.