Families urged to buy second-hand uniforms

Families in the district already struggling financially may now be faced with the cost of sending their children to school, a situation which is concerning the Gore Salvation Army.

‘‘I am really concerned about what families are faced with,'' Salvation Army director of community ministries Captain Avis Owen said.

However, there were alternatives to buying all the required materials, such as uniforms, at once, Capt Owen said.

‘‘How many can afford to pay for both summer and winter uniforms all at once?

‘‘At the family store we are always grateful for donated secondhand school uniforms but they go out faster than they come in.''

Carmel Bone runs a second-hand school uniform shop out of Xavier House on Ardwick St where she sells St Peter's College and St Mary's School uniforms.

She estimated the cost of clothing a highschool girl for a year would be about $500 and a boy $250. This did not include the price of a blazer, which was compulsory at St Peter's College for year 11, 12 and 13 pupils and cost $200.

She said secondhand ties, kilts and summer skirts were hard to come by second-hand but she had plenty of PE gear, trousers, shorts and shirts available.

‘‘If you know a senior leaving school who will not need their uniform - grab it,'' Mrs Bone said.

‘‘Uniforms don't last long [advertised] in the papers either - they go in a flash.''

Ron Veint, who works in the menswear department of H&J Smiths in Gore, said the store had a credit plan for school uniforms and customers were given 10 months to pay. They must spend a minimum of $300 and normal credit checks applied.

He said the application process was ‘‘pretty quick'', especially if the applicant already had an account with the store.

Postie Plus manager Christine Ryder said the store had ‘‘miles of stock'' for all schools in the district including Blue Mountain College, Northern Southland College, Menzies College and Gore primary and high schools.