Community
13 November, 2025
Free formal wear for male and female students supplied by the Formal Project
Campbelltown organisation The Formal Project Inc provides for more than just high school and primary school kids looking for their formal wear.
Campbelltown organisation The Formal Project Inc provides for more than just high school and primary school kids looking for their formal wear.
Not only do they provide formal wear for kids who are looking for something to wear for their end-of-year presentations and formals, but they also provide a vital community service for so many other sectors of the community as well.
“We are entirely a community initiative, and it has blown up to way more than just formal gear,” Sam Oakes from The Formal Project Inc said.
“We fit out both boys and girls entirely – suits, ties, shoes, dresses, bras, accessories, etc. And we don’t just do it in the Campbelltown area, but Australia wide – we send everything to regional and remote communities with all costs covered.”
However, bookings are essential and as per previous years, no 2 students from the same school will be booked at the same time unless students and families agree.
There are some prerequisites that The Formal Project Inc wishes to abide by.
They are the following:
No booking will exceed 1 hour due to high demand;
There are no more than four students per hour;
Student MUST be present at their booking; and
Dates available are filling fast.
The Formal Project Inc also provides an op – shop, a free book exchange, and lunch packs with a sandwich and snacks for the homeless in the Campbelltown community.
They even provide care packages with personal care items for women and families escaping domestic violence and who are entering into the foster system.
“This is just the beginning for us – there are no forms for people to fill in or anything – we just are there for them when they need us at that time,” Ms. Oakes added.
“Sometimes the people that come to us just need a non-judgemental, friendly face – we're an on-demand service – like for example this morning (Thursday) we’ve already had 6 people walk through our doors.”
Ms. Oakes also mentioned one client who had recently come out of prison and was struggling to get himself back on his feet.
“He came in and had a chat and picked up what he needed, and we also assisted him in applying for two labouring jobs,” she said.
“He then asked - ‘What do I need to do, do I fill in any forms?’ - and when we said no, he just burst into tears and could not thank us enough.”
Booking dates for formal wear fittings are available over the next two weeks on the following dates:
Thursday 13th November (today) - 4pm – 5pm;
Saturday 15th November – 10am – 4pm;
Tuesday 18th November – 4pm – 5pm;
Thursday 20th November – 4pm – 5pm;
Saturday 22nd November – 10am – 4pm;
Sunday 23rd November – 10am – 4pm;
Tuesday 25th November – 4pm – 5pm;
Thursday 27th November – 4pm – 5pm; and
Saturday 29th November - 10am-4pm, which is the last day for the 2025 formal season.
The Op-Shop is open to the public 7 days a week from 9am - 4pm, and is their primary source in raising funds, with donations also accepted in store.
Donations accepted do include:
Men's general clothing;
Kids general clothing;
baby clothing;
New underwear and swimwear (with tags);
Women's general clothing;
Shoes;
All jewellery;
bags;
New personal care items and make - up;
Books, DVD's and CD's;
Craft items, wool, paper craft, etc.
Formal attire for men, women and youth;
Funds with every donation of $2 or more tax deductible.
However, they do NOT accept:
Used underwear;
Used swimwear;
Used linen;
Furniture;
Heavily stained items;
Damaged items;
Sharp items;
Bric - a - Brac;
Toys;
Used electrical items;
Wedding dresses, and
Kitchen items.
Please DO NOT leave donations unattended. ALL donations MUST BE accepted by a volunteer during trading hours. In order to maintain donations, they ask ALL donations to be in good condition.
Also, please ensure donations are in bags or containers you do NOT need returned.
The Formal Project Inc is located on the Ground floor at 263 Queen St, Campbelltown.
For more information, contact The Formal Project Inc on 0405 663 002, email them at admin@theformalproject.org, or visit their Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok pages.
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