BRIDES on a budget or debutantes in need of dresses may find the gown of their dreams this week at a local Lifeline Gippsland shop after the organisation received a donation of more than 100 wedding and formal gowns recently.
The proceeds from the sale of the gowns, which were donated by a Traralgon business, will be used to support Lifeline Gippsland’s 24-hour telephone crisis support line and its suicide prevention and support program.
“Young ones often come into the op shops to look for dresses for their (debutante ball) or formal (event),” Lifeline volunteer and Morwell store display coordinator Karen Salisbury said.
“They are usually after something alternate, but sometimes they can find something truly beautiful, and these dresses are truly beautiful and will raise a lot of money to keep (the Lifeline) phone lines going.”
Most of the dresses will be on display at the Lifeline Gippsland Churchill shop in Hazelwood Village from Thursday, which will also be the venue of a bridal expo for the next month.
The rest of the dresses will be on sale at Lifeline Gippsland’s other retail stores in Moe, Sale, Wonthaggi and Lakes Entrance.
Lifeline recently celebrated 50 years of providing crisis support and referrals through its 13 11 14 hotline service.
Fellow Lifeline Gippsland volunteer and Traralgon store display coordinator Ineke Morris, who will be arranging the display at the Churchill store, said she had been preparing for the upcoming display for the past two months.
“We’ll have four different looks on display; the autumn bride, traditional bride, old world bride and modern bride,” Ms Morris said.
Among the wide array, dresses for sale include bridesmaids, flowergirls and communion, in varying lengths.
“The dresses are modern and new; some still have got tags on them,” Ms Salisbury said.
She said the dresses would be priced up to $100.
Anyone interested in arranging a fitting can phone the Churchill store on 5122 2606.
