MY friend's face turns ashen during the brief journey from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport to the city. Caught on the wrong foot by the relatively cold weather, he regrets not bringing sufficient warm clothes and starts weighing available options.
Soon, however, consternation turns into sheer relief when salvation comes in the form of several thrift stores, which are easily accessible from our accommodations at the strategically located The Langham Melbourne.
With the Flinders Street Station just a short walk away from the hotel's Southbank Promenade site, we reach our destination near the Collingwood Station in no time.
CHARITY AID
Although our first stop at St Marks Recycled does not yield anything suitable, the popular Smith Street store provides us a golden opportunity to better understand Australian opportunity shops that sell clothes and other goods donated by the public to raise much-needed funds for their preferred charities.
Known locally as op shops, these community-based businesses are the go-to places for locals, as well as tourists, for reasonably priced quality goods.
For many, a visit to one of these stores is often likened to a modern-day treasure hunt.
With a bit of luck, there is even a fair chance of snapping up a preloved Celine bag, Chanel dress or even a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. The variety on offer can be astounding.
Well-maintained and properly organised, most op shops exude an almost boutique-like atmosphere, complete with piles of denim on colour-coded racks and boxes of good-as-new T-shirts.
Together with collections of homeware, crockery, books and toys, there is every bit of a chance of picking up valuable collector's items for just a few dollars.
AMAZING FIND
That very opportunity presents itself to me not long after reaching the Australian Red Cross Op Shop further down Smith Street.
With my friend spoilt for choice at the clothing section, I head off to do a bit of treasure hunting of my own.
Although enquiry at the counter for collectibles like stamps and banknotes drew a blank, the volunteer serve staff's hint to check out the window displays for the latest additions proves most useful.
My heart skips a beat after rummaging through a bric-a-brac jumble box near the entrance display area. The search yields a long-yearned coin card commemorating Australian involvement in Malaya (now Malaysia) some seven decades ago.
Part of a series of 18 coins issued in 2016 to commemorate the Australia at War programme and Anzac Centenary, this intricately designed copper nickel piece remembers the gallant Australian soldiers who served during the 1948-1960 Malayan Emergency.
Another pleasant surprise awaits when the cashier prices the precious keepsake at a mere fraction of its current A$40 market value.
This memorable experience, together with my friend's success in getting two reasonably priced branded clothing, reinforces our belief in the thrift shops' enduring allure.
A warm feeling overwhelms during the return journey to The Langham Melbourne, knowing that our purchases will be supporting Red Cross team efforts in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific, as they provide a much-needed helping hand to people overcoming hardship, crisis and disaster.
Furthermore, thrift shop support also benefits the environment as the items purchased are kept out of landfills and that translates into reduced carbon emissions and less pronounced greenhouse effect and global warming.
ENDURING RELATIONSHIP
The winter-shortened but nonetheless eventful day comes to a fitting end with a tantalising buffet dinner at The Langham Melbourne's Melba Restaurant.
Aptly chosen for its popular open kitchen featuring the best locally sourced produce and innovative dishes from around the globe, we tuck into, among other fresh seafood and tasty roast meat selections, delicious char kway teow while admiring the treasured Malayan Emergency coin card.
Savouring Malaysia's favourite dish piping hot on a chilly Melbourne evening creates the perfect setting to reflect upon the time when Australia, like all other British Commonwealth member countries at that time, unreservedly answered Malaya's clarion call for help after Malayan Communist Party guerrillas started an insurgency against the then colonial government in 1948.
Australian involvement began when Royal Australian Air Force transports, bombers and personnel arrived two years into the conflict.
Lasting some 13 years, Australia's involvement in the Malayan Emergency was one of the country's longest continuous military commitments during the 20th century.
Sadly, 39 Australians lost their lives defending Malaya and a further 27 were wounded in that period.
The resulting strong ties between both countries brought about the annual Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Observation Day in Australia on Aug 31, the exact date when Malaysia celebrates its National Day.
As for the precious coin card, which is cherished by military historians, coin collectors and those whose family members have served in the Malayan conflict, a special place in my collection is already reserved for it.
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