host Clive Purt and guest speaker Damian Walsh
We had the pleasure of welcoming Damian Walsh, the Director of The Shopfront, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. Damian told us of The Shopfront’s role in providing social assistance to the local community here in Perth.
Damain set out the history of The Shopfront which is in Bentley, and the social goals it hopes to achieve with homeless, lonely or needy people.
The charity aims to provide some food and drink for those who call in, with emergency food hampers to those in need. It is a place to sit and chat in a completely safe environment. In addition, volunteers refer those with health and homeless issues on to appropriate government and private agencies. Among the many incidental things The Shopfront does is to advocate for people for long term housing solutions.
It has been operating for 26 years and Damian is its 7th director. Damian said that drug and alcohol issues continue to be a big factor for people seeking assistance; as is poor mental health and loss of regular employment.
The COVID months had a huge impact on needy people, because everyone was limited to where they could go. The Shopfront was one of the few charitable places which didn’t close down.
The Shopfront averages 24 visitors a day. In 2025 there was an average 21 daily visitors and 18 per day in 2024. The Shopfront has a budget of $260,000, but in one week, they spent $2000 on food which went out the door within five days.
It is not government funded but receives assistance from some Catholic schools. Santa Maria donated so much food Damian couldn’t fit it in his van, plus $1000 in cash.
Many visitors offer to show their Centrelink Card as proof that they are in need, but Damian and the volunteers tell them: “If we have it, we will share it”.
Clive: "From a personal level, my volunteer duties at The Shopfront can include preparing and serving food and drinks to our visitors; writing down the names of people on a daily list; sitting and chatting with them and perhaps referring them on for an interview; and washing up and cleaning. Volunteers do one or two shifts a week – John, who is 91-years-old, sits on a stool and washes dishes. All visitors, regardless of their circumstances, are treated as human beings and not a number".
For Rotary members, Damian’s presentation on behalf of The Shopfront was a reminder of the need to consider others who are less fortunate and a way that is a hands-on and pro-active way to help them and show that they have a safe and welcoming place to go.