Around 4000 students attending St Agnes’ Parish schools are set to benefit from the new, purpose-built St Agnes’ Uniform Store opened on Wednesday 27 June.

Representatives from Parish schools, P&F associations, Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils attended the opening, marked by special prayers and a blessing of the building with holy water by Fr Paul Gooley (Parish Priest) and Fr Peter Wood.

Adam Spencer, Chief Executive Officer for St Agnes’ Parish, addressed the gathering to share some of the history associated with the supply of uniforms to the six Parish schools in Port Macquarie.

“In the mid-1970s, Fr Donnelly (Emeritus Parish Priest), always quick to recognise the needs of our community, understood that families were finding it difficult to get uniforms for St Joseph’s Primary School,” said Adam.

“As a result, in the mid 1970’s ‘Joprim’, as it was known then, started operating out of the school canteen, supplying pre-cut uniforms in packets, which Parishioners would sew together.”

“Since then, the Parish uniform shop has moved several times. From the school canteen in Hay Street, it moved to a small annex in Warlters Street when St Joseph’s Primary relocated there. Later, it ran from a shopfront in Horton Street but had move to a larger storage shed at the rear of St Agnes’ Primary School in Boronia Street to meet demand.”

“In time, the old location outgrew its usefulness in terms of space, condition of the building and ability to meet the needs of its growing customer base.”

“Planning for a new building began about 2 years ago and, today, you see the results before you.”

“The uniform shop has a rich history in the Parish, first as ‘Joprim’ and now in its new home, as ‘St Agnes’ Uniform Store’, still in Boronia Street but with street frontage,” he concluded.

“Moving with the times, our service now includes the added ability to make purchases online, saving time and making uniform purchases easier for busy families,” he concluded.

Fittingly, Trish Bailey, who managed the Joprim uniform shop for many years when it was located in Horton Street, unveiled the commemorative plaque at the ceremony.

Victor Partzala, Store Manager, said even though the process of moving from the old location to the new one had taken some time, the result was definitely worth it from a customer perspective.

“The new building is modern and spacious, offering more change rooms and more seating, for families visiting to purchase uniforms,” said Victor.

“It’s also air-conditioned, which will make a big difference during the hot January peak season when the kids are headed back to school after the summer break,” he added.

St Agnes’ Uniform Store supplies uniforms for all the Parish schools: St Joseph’s Primary, St Agnes’ Primary, St Peter’s Primary, Newman Senior Technical College, St Joseph’s Regional College and Mackillop College.

Following the official ceremony, guests enjoyed morning tea served by Uniform Store staff.

Call in to have a look at the new store in Boronia Street and visit the online shop at wwww.saus.org.au.