Local Person: Jacob Miller

by Hobart Magazine

Jacob Miller is prominent in the Op Shop world, known for their role in the success of Vinnies North Hobart. As 2025 marks the centenary of Op Shops in Australia, we spoke to Jacob before they embark on a global journey to bring valuable Op Shop insights back to Australia.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up all over southern Tasmania, moving often as my parents never stayed put for long. As a seventh-generation Tasmanian with family scattered across the island, I got to explore just about every corner. These days, I call Brunswick, Melbourne home but make regular pilgrimages back to Tassie.

Tell us a bit about what you do. I’ve spent most of my life immersed in the world of Op Shops. It started with welcoming customers, sorting treasures, and working alongside amazing volunteers. Most recently, I wrapped up my time at Uniting Op Shops, where I launched a whole new brand for the sector.

How did your passion for Op Shops develop? It all began with a love of uncovering treasures. Garage sales, second-hand stores, Gumtree, or Marketplace – these are storytelling havens where the thrill of discovery reigns supreme. Op Shops take that joy to the next level. They fund amazing charities, create vibrant communities, and process mountains of items for reuse and recycling. Op Shops are more than shops, they’re hubs of charity, homes for stories, treasure troves, and spaces where people reinvent themselves daily.

You were recently awarded the Elvie Munday Churchill Fellowship. What does this entail? Churchill Fellows are a community of changemakers – celebrating curiosity, encouraging inquisitive thinking, promoting innovation, and generating positive impacts. The Trust provides Australians with the opportunity to travel overseas conducting research, to individuals with the passion and commitment to make a difference in Australian society. My trip will take me to the United States, Canada, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. I’ll explore second-hand retail spaces, dive into their volunteer and youth engagement strategies, and visit unique shops.

How are you feeling about this upcoming trip? I’m buzzing with excitement! I can’t wait to visit places like Two Big Blondes in Seattle – a plus-size gem – and City Opera in New York, known for its curated designer pieces. I’m slightly nervous about cramming all my finds into my luggage (and all the knowledge into my brain!), but it’s a challenge I’m ready for.

What holes in the Aussie system do you hope your global findings will fill? Australia can be hesitant to embrace innovation. In Sweden, I’ll explore the world’s first entirely second-hand shopping mall. In Scotland, I’ll visit a charity shop in the metaverse! Consignment models, co-ops, and youth-led initiatives are thriving overseas but remain underutilised here. My fear is that as the for-profit second-hand market grows, charities may lose access to high-quality donations and younger generations of shoppers.

Who do you admire? Iris Apfel – maximalism, style, who smashed it to 102! Mary Portas (Queen of Charity Shops) is another powerhouse I look up to.

Favourite podcast or TV show? Out in the Open, a Tasmanian podcast by my mates Matt and Bevan, and Help I Sexted My Boss.

Secret vice? Op Shops! Even on leave, I can’t resist bric-a-brac and art, it’s my happy place.

What are you reading now? Nothing to Hide, a stunning collection of stories from Trans and Gender Diverse Australia.

What was your first job? At 14 I worked at McDonald’s in Rosny. It didn’t last long.

What are your daily news/social media habits? I’m a doom scroller, soaking up stories of travel, food, and style. Find me on Instagram @TheJacobMillerShow.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Room for Pony or Criterion.

Lunch: Cyclo for a quick working bite.

Dinner: Templo or my friends at Capitol.

Dream holiday destination? Europe, always! Portugal (again) or Italy is next on my list.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? Stanley! I visit yearly for its cosy pub, wine bar, stunning beaches, and the Tarkine rainforest.

Parting words? Challenge yourself to shop at an Op Shop – try Uniting in North Hobart!

Jacob is leaving Uniting Op Shops to embark on a new chapter in social enterprise consulting and group facilitation. They’ll also be traveling the world with their Churchill Fellowship. Follow Jacob’s journey on their socials.

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