Meet Joy: A Friday Fixture at Vinnies in Blacktown

Every Friday without fail, Joyce Wiesendanger—known to everyone simply as Joy—arrives at Vinnies Blacktown Mega Centre. Rain, hail or shine, she works a full day on the register greeting customers with a warm smile, keeping the shop floor tidy, and lending a hand wherever she’s needed.

Joy has been volunteering with Vinnies for more than 25 years. She first joined after retiring from her job and hearing about Vinnies through a friend.

“When I left work, I started volunteering at St Michael’s, but it was closing down. One of the ladies there said, ‘Come with me, I work at Vinnies!’ So I went along, had an interview, and the manager said, ‘You look nice—you can go on the register.’ Then she asked, ‘Can you start Friday?’ It was only a couple of days away, and I said, ‘Alright.’ And I’ve been here every Friday since—I’ve never changed days.”

That commitment has never wavered. For more than two decades, Joy has built her Fridays around Vinnies—and won’t let anything else get in the way.

“They’ve said the only time I’m away is if I’m sick or on holiday,” she says. “If you make a commitment, that’s it. Any appointments? Not Friday!”

Joy began at the original Seven Hills store before moving to the Blacktown Mega Centre location, where she continues to be a fixture of the Friday team. Alongside her work on the register, she restocks the floor, colour-codes clothing racks, tidies garments that have been pulled out of place, and even sweeps the shop floor at the end of the day.

Her Retail Manager, Sanita Khadgi, says Joy’s presence is invaluable.

“She is very active, dedicated, and reliable,” Sanita says. “Once she starts her day at the Vinnies Megacentre, she never stops. She never misses greeting every customer that comes in and is always ready to help. She puts out stock on the floor, colour-codes the clothing, and when everything is done, she even sweeps the shop floor.”

“She is an inspiration to all the staff with her friendliness, her passion for what she does, and her support for everyone. Joy is a pleasure to work with, and some customers keep returning because of her helpful and friendly nature.”

Over the years, Joy has seen the customer base evolve, especially with a rise in younger shoppers. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the positive environment among the team.

“Wonderful people,” Joy says of her fellow volunteers and staff. “It makes it, doesn’t it? When everybody’s so nice, so friendly. I can’t even remember working with anybody who’s not nice. We all get on … I fit in, even though I’m 80. Everybody’s so nice to me. I’m just one of them.”

Joy recently celebrated her 80th birthday and has no immediate plans to slow down—despite an upcoming knee replacement.

“I hate the thought of retiring, but I suppose it will come. My husband says it’s good for me—using everything, staying active, mixing with people. It’s very good for you.”

Outside of Vinnies, Joy enjoys coastal getaways with her husband, visiting her son on the Gold Coast, and spending time with her daughter and two teenage grandsons. But no matter what’s on the calendar, her Fridays remain sacred.

Joy’s message to anyone considering volunteering at Vinnies is simple:

“Just come. That’s what I’ve said to people. Everybody’s busy, I suppose. But I’ve loved it.”

In a world where volunteer numbers can fluctuate, Joy’s steady presence is a reminder of the power of commitment, community, and kindness. She doesn’t seek the spotlight—she simply shows up, week after week, doing what she can to make the store and the people in it feel just that little bit brighter.

Inspired by Joy's story? Join a community of compassionate, committed people making a real difference every day. Whether you can give a few hours a week or more, there’s a place for you at Vinnies.

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