Repair 

Instead of replacing your broken or damaged items why not think about getting them repaired? Repairing is becoming more popular as people see it as an antidote to our take, make, throwaway cycle. When we repair items we are less likely to buy new, helping to cut back on what we throw away and the CO2 emissions that are a result of needing to make new stuff. Repairing is also helping to revive old skills and creating new jobs.

There are a number of avenues to repairing like cobblers, tailors, and electronic repairs by professionals. Youtube provides a range of vidoes to help those wanting to DIY at home. Or you can join up with a local Repair Cafe for small items. We have a list of repair cafe locations below for you to explore. 

Read

Connect

  • Australian Repair Network – Australian Repair Network brings together a wide range of stakeholders interested in or working in the repair sector, who genuinely want to engage in open and respectful dialogue; with industry, other sectors and the community at large about the legislative and policy changes that are being developed to respond to the international right to repair movement.
  • Fixable is a free online platform to make repair and reuse easy and accessible for people everywhere. 
  • Karhina –  for mending ideas and workshops with Tamara Russell.
  • Mend It, Australia – repair information and ideas from Karen and Danny Ellis.
  • Modern Mending Club Facebook group – mending ideas and discussion.
  • Threadden – to learn to mend and sew. 

Watch

Repair Cafes run repair services for a range of items from clothing to electronics and more.

Visit repairshareoz.org for a map to find your local Repair Cafes.

  • Aberfoyle Repair Cafe – A group of volunteers who can help you repair your broken or damaged goods, learn new skills, and reduce things going to landfill. Everyone welcome! Held at Aberfoyle Community Centre, Jessica St, Aberfoyle Park, every 2nd Saturday of the month, 1-4pm.
  • Albury-Wodonga Repair Cafe – We operate our session on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 1pm. Maximum three items per person per session.
  • Bairnsdale Repair Cafe – Find us in room 15 The Hub – Bairnsdale 27 daylmahoy street, Bairnsdale from 10-12, last repairs signed in at 12 to be completed by 12:30. We have lots of amazing volunteers with fabulous skills awaiting a repair challenge.
  • Bendigo Repair Cafe, an initiative of Bendigo Sustainability Group, set to launch repair sessions in the coming months.
  • Bicycle Repairs at Werribee’s Men Shed, Wyndham Park Community Centre.
  • Brunswick Repair Cafe – 11am – 2pm Third Saturday of the month at Maker Community 70 Saxon St in partnerships with Maker Community and Brunswick Tool Library.
  • Cycle Saloon, a drop-in bike repair shed in Pipemakers Park along the Maribyrnong River which offers up tools for anyone to use and have a go at fixing or servicing their bicycle (facebook page).
  • Dandenong Ranges Repair Cafe – Emerald Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald.
  • Darebin Repair Cafe (Preston/Reservoir) – Preston Neighbourhood House, 220 High St, Preston VIC 3072.
  • FixIt! who hold pop-up or monthly repair sessions at Prices Hill Community Centre in North Carlton (facebook page).
  • Fix It Newlands, fixing and sharing repair skills, meets at Newlands Community House in Coburg North.
  • Fixit Café Wonthaggi – is a joint initiative by the Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House and The Wonthaggi Men’s Shed.
  • Greensborouch Repair Cafe – 14 Church Street Greensborough – 12.30 – 3pm Third Saturday of the month.
  • Hastings Repair Cafe1973 Frankston – Flinders Road, Hastings – Third Sunday of the month
  • Melbourne Repair Cafe (Inner West).
  • Mernda Repair Café: 2 Heals Road, Mernda VIC – 10.00am – 2pm One Saturday a  month.
  • Monday Mending Mischief, a hyper-local initiative that brings together friends, food and items needing mending, meets every second Monday evening at a private residence in Fairfield.
  • Moonee Valley Repair Cafe – Meets at “The Cave”, Ascot Vale Church of Christ, 76 St Leonards Rd Ascot Vale.
  • North Balwyn Repair Cafe – Monthly on a Sunday from 10 till noon – Trentwood at the Hub, Greythorn Community Hub, 2 Centre Way, North Balwyn.
  • Port Fairy Repair Cafe – Located at the Port Fairy Community House on the 3rd Saturday of the month (except Jan & Dec) 10am – 12pm in the Outdoor Room. See Repair Cafe Facebook Page 
  • Repair Cafe Latrobe Valley – runs in various Gippsland towns.
  • Richmond Repair Cafe – Last Sunday of the month at Burnley Backyard, 49 Tudor St, Richmond.
  • Ringwood Repair Cafe – 3rd Saturday of the month from 2pm to 4pm, Feb to Nov, at the Ringwood Uniting Church, 30-32 Station Street, Ringwood.
  • St Kilda Repair Cafe – Port Phillip EcoCentre – the second Sunday of every month from March to December, 2-5 pm.
  • Sunbury Repair Cafe – 3rd Saturday of the month. Sunbury Neighbourhood House 531 Elizabeth Drive Sunbury.
  • Surf Coast Repair Cafe – First Sunday of the month at the Anglesea Memorial Hall. 10am-1:30pm.
  • Warrandyte Repair Cafe – First Sunday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Warrandyte Mechanics Hall, 180-186 Yarra Street, Warrandyte.
  • Watsonia Repair Cafe – Watsonia Neighbourhood House, 47 Lambourn Rd, Watsonia.

Contact Us if you know of any other existing or emerging fixit/repair initiatives around Victoria.

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