Jenny Murphy and the Australian Cybertill team were thrilled to take part in the Charitable Reuse Conference 2025 in Sydney, held on 13 and 14 October. The two-day event was filled with thought-provoking sessions, inspiring discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. The event offered a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand how charity retail and reuse operate across Australia, and how that approach differs from the UK, where Cybertill first began. Experiencing these differences reinforced how adaptable and globally relevant CharityStore has become, supporting charitable organisations wherever they are in the world.
During the event,we also gave away lots of goodies and offered a chance to win an iPad, perfect for accessing course materials and taking notes.
A huge congratulations to Scott Marsden at Vinnies Victoria, for winning the prize!
A Century of Op Shops
In 2025, Australia celebrated 100 years of op shops, a milestone that gave the conference an extra sense of purpose and pride. Short for “opportunity shop,” an op shop is the Australian term for a charity shop or thrift store, where donated goods are sold to raise funds for charitable causes. Since the first op shop opened in 1925, these stores have become an essential part of Australian communities, combining social impact with sustainability and circular economy principles.
Held at the UTS Aerial Function Centre, the conference brought together charity retailers, reuse organisations, innovators, and changemakers from every corner of the sector. Across two days, delegates joined plenary sessions, shop-manager workshops, and panel discussions covering topics such as sustainability, volunteer management, circular economy strategies, and the future of reuse.
Connecting, Listening, and Sharing
One of the most rewarding parts of the conference for Jenny was the chance to meet Australian customers, potential partners, and sector leaders face to face. These conversations highlighted how operational models, volunteer structures, and donor expectations vary from those in the UK, while the underlying mission and challenges remain the same.
As Jenny shared, “Attending the Charitable Reuse Conference was an incredibly rewarding experience that offered valuable insight into how the sector operates differently from the UK. Meeting so many passionate people dedicated to growing their causes and improving the in-store experience reminded me why we do what we do. Knowing that CharityStore supports these missions gives me exceptional job satisfaction, and it was a real privilege to represent Cybertill alongside Carina and Jon in such an incredible part of the world.”
At the Cybertill stand, Jenny was joined by Carina and Jon to showcase how CharityStore unites EPoS, inventory control, multi-site management, eCommerce, CRM, and reporting in one powerful platform. They spoke with visitors about how technology can make day-to-day tasks easier for teams and volunteers while supporting greater transparency and impact.
The feedback and conversations throughout the two days were energising. It was inspiring to see so many people committed to growing their causes and driving sustainability through reuse.
Key Takeaways
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Local adaptation is essential. Every region has unique needs, from compliance and volunteer models to donor expectations and retail culture.
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Impact needs to be measurable. Charities are looking for systems that help them tell their story, report outcomes, and demonstrate community benefit.
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Ease of use matters. With volunteers at the heart of the sector, systems must simplify rather than complicate daily tasks.
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Global collaboration drives innovation. Seeing how reuse evolves internationally sparks new ideas and opportunities for everyone involved.
What’s Next for CharityStore
After the conference, Jenny returned home with new ideas and a stronger commitment to ensuring that CharityStore continues to grow as a global, mission-driven solution.
The next steps include:
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Building stronger relationships with Australian charities to localise features and support.
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Applying the lessons learned from Australia to enhance our roadmap in the UK and beyond.
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Expanding Cybertill’s involvement in international charity retail conferences to learn, connect, and collaborate further.
A Huge Thank You
Everyone at Cybertill would like to thank the event organisers, speakers, volunteers, and everyone who made the Charitable Reuse Conference 2025 such a success and the experience provided invaluable insights into how reuse and charitable retail continue to evolve around the world.
Although the event has ended, the ideas, energy, and connections it created will continue to inspire the Cybertill team as we work to help charities thrive.
If you missed us in Sydney but would like to learn more about how CharityStore can support your charity retail goals, we’d love to hear from you.
