March 17th, 2023Repair café diverts half a tonne from landfill

DAYLESFORD’S Repair Café is alive and kicking after hiccups caused by Covid.
Over the past 12 months the café has stopped almost half a tonne (482kgs) of household items from ending up in landfill.
Spokesperson Nikki Marshall said more than 140 household items had been repaired and returned to good working order during the past year.

“Favourite clothes are now being worn again after darning and mending, garden tools are digging and lopping and pruning again, bikes are free-wheeling and toasters and coffee machines are back on kitchen benches,” she said.
“As well, electronic items like radios are tuned in and lamps are illuminating at night, knives and scissors are cutting cleanly, vacuum cleaners are again sucking up dirt, chairs are being sat on once more
and chain-saws are preparing wood for the winter months.”
Nikki said in addition to repairing items, the team of talented and generous fixers also share their skills with locals.
“Over the past year the café has run how-to workshops on darning and mending clothes, basic wood working, sharpening drill bits, bicycle maintenance, understanding electrics and electronic equipment, knife and tool sharpening, taking things apart and putting them back together and on chain-saw and garden-tool sharpening.”
The next workshop will be held at April’s Repair Café and focus on basic plumbing skills with Mr Fixit – Julian Alaba. People can learn how to change a tap washer and much more.
Nikki said the café does more than repair broken household items. “Thanks to
Meg, you can sit, share a cuppa along with your troubles, and experience how being
listened to helps with the healing process.
“In addition to our regular venue at Daylesford’s Victoria Park Pavilion, the café is branching out to other locations across Hepburn Shire.
“Last month, February, there was a buzz of activity in Creswick where the café
was hosted by Creswick Transitions Group and the Neighbourhood Centre. The
community is looking to set up a regular event in Creswick so please get in touch if
you are interested to offer a repair service – transitioncreswick@gmail.com”
The March Repair Café will be back at Victoria Park Pavilion this Sunday, March 19 from 1pm to 4pm.
Details: Veronica Baker on 0428 180 200 or Nikki on 0432 232 073.
Link: www.facebook.com/daylesfordrepaircafe/
Words: Contributed | Image: Tim Drylie