Need school uniforms? Local charity ‘Fresh and Free’ is here to help
School goes back in just two weeks, and if you haven’t sorted uniforms yet — or the cost is giving you heart palpitations — take a breath. Help is close to home.
Free and Free School Uniforms was created to take the pressure off. And to make sure every kid rocks up to school feeling like they belong.
Q! News journalist Holly Winchester and her mum Karen (yes, also my sister and mum) started Fresh and Free in early 2025 so parents and guardians could pick up free second-hand school uniforms for their kids. No paperwork. No judgment. Just clean, good-quality uniforms ready to go.
With seven kids between them, Holly and Karen know first-hand how expensive dressing kids in the correct uniform can be. And how not having the right uniform can affect kids and teens.
“It’s all about making sure kids feel included,” Holly says. “Uniforms can really help with that — they’re a big equaliser in schools.”
What’s available?
- School shirts, shorts, dresses, jackets and jumpers
- Shoes, hats and backpacks (when available)
- Uniforms from local public and Catholic schools
All items are freshly washed and checked before they go on the racks.
Who can come?
Anyone. If you’re doing it tough financially, or just need a bit of help getting sorted for the school year — this is for you. No forms, no proof of anything.
Which schools do you stock?
Every school in Queanbeyan, as well as Bungendore Public School, and St. Edmund’s, St. Clare’s, and Mackillop colleges. Sizing depends on what’s been donated.
Where do I go?
Fresh and Free is open at specific times on Fridays, and is located at Langes Auto Centre on Yass Road – between the two car workshops – thanks to the enormous generosity of Johnny Lange.
Follow Fresh and Free on Facebook for opening times each Friday.
How do I donate uniforms?
If your kids are finished with their Queanbeyan or Canberra uniforms and you want to donate them, you can drop uniforms off at Ciao Cafe and Cakes Queanbeyan, Langes Auto Centre or to Holly directly (PM her on Facebook).
With the school year just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to swing by.
About the Author: Briony Winchester
Part bogan, part wannabe plus-size model and part journalist, Bree's the woman behind Q! News. A born storyteller, she's been writing locally, nationally and internationally for more than 30 years.
