A local wardrobe
that grows with your child.
A community-powered kids clothing exchange for families in , Moonee Ponds, Flemington, Kensington, and nearby suburbs.
Spots are limited — registration is required to attend.
The problem
Kids clothes have a short life.
They shouldn't go to waste.
Kids outgrow clothes fast
A size 000 might last two months. Size 1 fits for a season. You buy ten outfits, they're worn a handful of times, then sit in a box waiting for someone to need them.
Selling is time-consuming
Photographing, listing, negotiating, arranging pickup for individual items on Facebook Marketplace takes more time than it's worth.
Op shops don't close the loop
Dropping bags at an op shop is fine — but op shop prices are rising and it doesn't help you find the next size up for your own child.
How it works
Simple, fair, and built for families with busy lives.
Check in
Arrive and check in. We count your items, assign your credits, and collect your details.
Drop off
Drop your items into the labelled areas on the table. Grab a coffee while you're here.
Pick up
Browse the table and use your credits to pick up the next size up for your child.
Check out
Sign out your remaining credits at check out so they're saved for next time.
A fair credit system
Bring something, take something. Every item you contribute earns one credit — use your credits to take items home. The credit system keeps things balanced without money changing hands.
You get 3 credits
You spend 2 credits
Good to know
- Any leftover credits are saved for next time
- You can't go into debt — you can only take items with the credits you have
- You can bring up to 40 items per family to keep things manageable on the day
- There might not be a size up on the day — we'll do our best, and any unused credits roll over to the next event (if there's enough interest to run one)
What we accept
Play condition or better. We don't care about brands.
What passes
- • Clean and washed
- • No significant stains or holes
- • Fastenings working
- • Play-worn is fine
What doesn't
- • Heavily stained or torn
- • Broken fastenings
- • Persistent odours
- • Recalled items
Items assessed on the day. Anything that doesn't meet the standard will be donated to a local op shop.
Dwell Neighbourhood Hub
A community space focused on sustainability, connection, and the sharing economy. The perfect home for GrowLoop.
78 St Leonards RdAscot Vale VIC 3032
Register to attend
Registration is required to attend the July 12th swap. Secure your spot below and we'll send you all the details as the date approaches.
Common questions
Do I need to register to attend?
Yes — registration is required in advance. Spots are limited, so please register before the day. We can't accept walk-ins.
Do I need clothes to contribute to participate?
For this first event, yes — the system works because everyone contributes. If you're pregnant or have a newborn and nothing to give yet, register anyway and we'll figure something out.
What if I don't find anything I want?
Your credits roll over to the next event. Nothing is lost. We're hoping to run these quarterly, so the right size will come around.
Can I come from outside Ascot Vale?
Absolutely. This event is open to anyone from Moonee Ponds, Flemington, Kensington, Essendon, Maribyrnong, and nearby suburbs. The venue is in Ascot Vale but the community is broader.
What happens if my items don't pass the quality check?
We'll donate them to a local op shop so they still find a good home. You'll receive credits for everything that does pass.
Can I bring shoes, blankets, or toys?
For this first event, we're keeping it to clothing only (sizes 0000–8) to keep things simple and balanced. If there's interest, we might expand to other items in future swaps.
The story behind GrowLoop
A mum of three who got tired of the same cycle.
For years I did what most parents do — filled bags, dropped them at the op shop, and then turned around and bought the next size up at full price. Three kids in, it started to feel a bit absurd.
I'd always passed things on to friends when our sizes lined up — and watching how much those exchanges meant to people made me think: what if we made that easier for everyone in the neighbourhood? Not a marketplace, not a charity drop. Just a simple, fair loop between local families.
I'm also passionate about reuse and sustainability, keeping good clothes in circulation and out of landfill is something close to my heart, and GrowLoop is a small way to put that into practice locally. I hope to see you at Dwell on the 12th.