With formal season around the corner, Goulburn woman Cait Muddiman has started a drive to which people can donate their formal wear to make it a special day for students.
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"I was cleaning my closet one day when I came across my formal dresses," Ms Muddiman said.
She decided to donate them as formal season was approaching.
"I have received so much from the community and thought it was a good opportunity to give back," she said.
"I presented the 'Goulburn Formal Drive' proposal to the stakeholders and they liked the idea."
In its second week, 'Goulburn Formal Drive' has received a good response from the community.
"The response received through social media and word of mouth has been great," Ms Muddiman said.
"People and local businesses are generously coming forward to donate."
She feels formal season is an expensive time of the year for families with the pressure to look good and wear expensive dresses.
"The idea behind the project is to take the burden off the families," she said.
"Recycling and re-purposing will also help prevent unnecessary wastage."
The drive seeks donations of any formal wear, accessories and shoes.
Collection points for these dresses include Goulburn Community Centre, Mission Australia and PCYC.
"I am also planning to pick them up from houses," Ms Muddiman said.
These donations will be available for free at a pop-up shop in PCYC for students where they can try them in the changing room.
"The first pop-up shop will be held at PCYC on Friday from 4-8pm," she said.
"We will organise it on last Friday of every month and any donations would be greatly appreciated.
"Apart from students, dresses for mothers and siblings will also be available."
Deb Muddiman from Mission Australia said that, quite often, people held on to dresses because of the memories associated with them.
"But as someone pointed out, giving that dress to someone else will help them create beautiful memories.
"People can donate back their dresses if they like and keep the cycle going," she said.
"There are regional areas which have been affected due to factors like drought and families there can benefit from this initiative."
There are plans to expand the drive to Crookwell, Yass and Queanbeyan as well.
"It would be great to support other communities too. We are exploring the option and thinking of taking the dresses donated by people to these areas as well."
Discussions are ongoing to liaise with schools to set up a special pop up store for the students.
"Discussions are ongoing and a special pop up shop can be set up for them if students and parents are interested," Deb added.
Several people have expressed interest and there are discussions revolving around having people who would be interested in doing hair and makeup on the day.
"People have generously come forward and offered to drive students in cars to the school too," she added.
People can also post pics of their dresses and send anonymous messages detailing their experience that can be shared with the ones who donated it.
The project is being organised with the help of Mission Australia, Headspace, PCYC and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
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