THE Surf Coast Repair Caf\u00e9 is set to return next month in a bid to prevent household items from ending up in landfill.<\/p>\n
Local efforts to teach people to repair their items has led to more than 700 visitors, 1,019 repairs and 2500kg of items being diverted from landfill since 2017.<\/p>\n
The Surf Coast branch located at the Anglesea Memorial Hall was started by two Fairhaven residents four years ago with a workshop held once a month, with no charge for items fixed.<\/p>\n
Co-founder Jo Murray said small electrical and mechanical items are the most popular items brought in for repair but over the years volunteers have extended their skills to everything from clothing, toys, bikes, jewellery furniture and household and garden appliances.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has a skill they could bring to the group, whether as a repairer or a general helper,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people hold onto items for years, not wanting to throw them away, but not knowing where they can be fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Repair Caf\u00e9 includes a \u2018Kids Tinkering Zone\u2019 where children aged 3-15 years can learn to reassemble their broken items while gaining valuable life skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps the next generation of repairers will come from this group,\u201d Mr Murray said.<\/p>\n
Councillor Mike Bodsworth said the shire\u2019s recent Climate Change survey found 30 per cent (116) of participants were already involved in existing climate or environmental groups such as Repair Caf\u00e9, with a further 90 (23.5 per cent) showing an interest in joining.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurf Coast Shire is home to many people and groups that are passionate about the environment and protecting it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Repair Caf\u00e9 is one of these groups doing good work for the community and we encourage<\/p>\n
people to join them so more items can be saved from landfill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d encourage anyone interested in contributing to put their hand up to help.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Repair Caf\u00e9 is set to return next month in a bid to prevent household items from ending up in landfill. Local efforts to teach people to repair their items has led to more than 700 visitors, 1,019 repairs and 2500kg of items being diverted from landfill since 2017. The Surf Coast branch […]<\/p>\n