Remote OpShop Project honoured at 2024 Australian Good Design Awards

A project enabling the development of op-shops in remote First Nations communities has been honoured at the prestigious 2024 Australian Good Design Awards.

The Remote Op Shop Project was awarded the Good Design Award Gold accolade in the Fashion Impact category at the awards ceremony held at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

The project was recognised for exceptional design and innovation - making clothing and homewares accessible in remote Aboriginal communities around northern Australia.

The judging panel praised the social enterprise for promoting self-determination by minimising waste and turning excess into valuable opportunities for Australia’s remote communities.

“The Jury was deeply impressed by ROP’s scalable and circular approach, which has evolved through years of development to offer a win-win solution,” they said.

“The model’s foundation of self-determination and its significant economic and social ripple effects within remote communities set a high standard for impactful social enterprise.

“This project exemplifies how sustainable practices can drive positive change on a broad scale.”

This year’s theme “The Design Effect” highlighted the vital impact of design in creating improved products, services, spaces, and experiences, while also promoting a shift toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

The 2024 awards highlighted excellence across 12 design disciplines, covering more than 32 categories.

Remote OpShop Project founder and chief executive Tanya Egerton said her project is about more than just clothing - but empowering First Nation’s communities, building a sustainable future, and reshaping the way we think about waste.

“Over the past decade, fast fashion has taken hold in Australia, leading to a significant waste crisis,” she said.

“The amount of clothing being produced and discarded is overwhelming, and we have very little infrastructure in Australia to manage it.

“This growing problem has made the circular economy a key focus for the Remote Opshop Project.”

Ms Egerton said they have just opened the first Reuse Hub in Darwin and are working to divert excess clothing from landfills - creating a community-led social enterprise that empowers remote communities.

“Through this, we are promoting sustainability, and fostering equity,” she said.