Photo: Supplied.
CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS LINTOTT
Over the last four years, Repair Café Brisbane Bayside has saved over 2,000 kg of repairable items from landfills through a free repair service that is part of a worldwide initiative.
On the second Saturday of each month, volunteer ‘fixers’ undertake repairs to items that include toys, bikes, small items of furniture, household appliances, battery-powered tools and equipment, clocks, audio systems, games, etc. Other free services include sewing repairs on clothing, sharpening of scissors and garden tools, among others.
Visitors pay for replacement parts and materials, while donations help to offset running costs.
Fixers truly enjoy the satisfaction of restoring items to working order while simultaneously educating visitors on techniques to identify problems and how to make basic repairs.
Visitors observe, sometimes assist with repairs, learn how to triage faults, and gain confidence to tackle repairs themselves. Sometimes, items are brought in as faulty when all that is required is some guidance on maintenance or how to interpret the instruction manual!
Volunteers manage the flow of visitors, allocate appropriate fixers (dependent on the item to be repaired), and keep the work area clean and safe for everyone. To satisfy the café aspect of the Repair Café, Devonshire Teas are available for purchase.
Many visitors come from around the Redlands, and it would be great to have another Repair Café operating to meet the needs of that growing region. Repair Café Brisbane Bayside is more than willing to assist in setting up another Repair Café.
If you are interested, please get in touch or, better yet, attend the next event on November 8 to see how it works. Want to know more? Contact Chris Lintott 0413 619 047.
Repair Café Brisbane Bayside is open from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on the second Saturday of the month at the Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre, 241 Tingal Road, Wynnum.
