Ramsay Street lives on—inside THIS dusty Aussie op shop

The dusty backroom of a Melbourne op shop has become an unexpected portal to Australia’s television past.

Among the forgotten furniture and second-hand clothes, a remarkable discovery has reignited memories of one of the country’s most beloved shows.

And as fate would have it, this nostalgic find came just as Neighbours prepared to say its final goodbye—again.

When Rebecca Brewin wandered into This N That Community Op Shop in Forest Hill, she had no idea she was about to stumble upon a piece of broadcasting gold.

Hidden among the racks and shelves were three van loads of props from Neighbours—Karl Kennedy’s briefcase, Erinsborough High uniforms, and even a keyring from the Lassiters Spa.

The timing could not have been more poignant, as the long-running soap opera was set to end once more, with its final episode scheduled for December 2025.

For many Australians over 60, this farewell marked the end of an era that had followed them from young adulthood through family life and into retirement.

A television institution finds new life in charity shops

The Forest Hill op shop’s discovery told an extraordinary story.

The Fremantle-produced series, which aired on Network Ten, first ended in 2022 after Channel 5 withdrew its support and another UK broadcaster could not be secured.

Freevee then revived it following a deal with Fremantle, but after Amazon shut down the free streamer in 2024, the series shifted to Prime Video.

Adding to the intrigue, the props were donated by someone who had worked on the show—weeks before the public knew about its latest cancellation.

Items including the briefcase, school bags, and umbrellas remained unsold, with the shop planning a special auction to honour the show’s legacy.

Fans reacted with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Queues formed outside the Forest Hill shop, and calls poured in from as far as the UK and New Zealand as collectors tried to claim a piece of Ramsay Street history.

The end of Australia’s most successful cultural export

Neighbours was cancelled for the second time after Prime Video chose not to renew it beyond its two-year deal.

The series’ conclusion in December 2025 signalled the end of Australia’s longest-running drama.

'Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show's first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024,' said executive producer Jason Herbison.

The show’s reach was immense.

In 2021, Neighbours attracted around 1.5 million viewers per episode in the UK.

The finale drew 4.02 million UK viewers once recordings and catch-up were included, while 1.2 million Australians tuned in for the 2022 finale on Network 10.

A bittersweet ending for cast and fans

Reports suggested that the news broke before the cast and crew were officially informed.

Production was expected to wrap up in July, with the final episodes airing in December.

It marked the third time Neighbours had been axed.

The emotional impact was profound.

April Rose Pengilly, who played Chloe Brennan, shared: 'Sending love to my @neighbours family today, all of the cast and crew and everyone behind the scenes who work so incredibly hard. Particularly those who are going through this a second time—it was devastating when this happened to us in 2022, but a second time is just awful. And to all the fans—I know how much the show means to you and I'm so sorry you have to go through this loss again.'

What this means for Australian television

The loss of Neighbours represented more than just a final curtain—it marked a turning point for how Australian productions compete in the global streaming age.

For decades, the series introduced international audiences to the rhythms and warmth of suburban Australia.

An Amazon spokesperson said: 'Forty years is an incredible milestone and we are proud that Amazon MGM Studios was able to have a small part of bringing further episodes to Freevee and Prime Video customers over the last two years, spanning over 400 episodes.'

The Forest Hill discovery has since become a touching symbol of that transition—from on-screen storytelling to nostalgic preservation.

There was something deeply Australian about the props finding their way into a community op shop, where everyday people could hold a tangible piece of TV history.

The collectors and the memories

For many Australians, particularly those over 60, Neighbours had been more than a show—it was a fixture of daily life.

It evolved with them through marriages, births, and retirements, weaving familiar stories of family, friendship, and resilience.

The Forest Hill shop’s unexpected windfall showed just how strong that connection remained.

These weren’t mere television props; they were keepsakes tied to decades of memories.

As Neighbours prepared for its 40th anniversary finale—with new episodes continuing to air four times a week on Prime Video and Ten until the end of 2025—the discovery at This N That Community Op Shop reminded Australians that some stories never truly end.

Rebecca Brewin described the find as ‘absolutely a piece of Australian TV history’—and perhaps that’s the beauty of it.

The show that once brought Ramsay Street into millions of homes was now, quite literally, back among the people who loved it most.

If stories like Neighbours remind us how television once connected whole communities, there are plenty more examples that shaped our sense of home, humour, and heart on screen.

From suburban dramas to legendary game shows, the programs we grew up watching still hold a special place in pop culture—and in our memories.

If you’d like to take a nostalgic trip through the shows that defined an era, this next story is the perfect follow-up.

Read more: TV Time Machine: The Aussie Shows That Shaped a Generation

What are your favourite Neighbours memories? Did you follow the residents of Ramsay Street through the years—and will you be watching their final farewell this December?