Making difference - one repair at a time
Published 5:04am 29 May 2025
Words by Nick Crockford
Redcliffe’s Repair Café will open again next week with its team of volunteers ready to fix household items.
On Saturday June 7, more than 20 members will aim to repair anything from toasters and bikes to jewellery, leather and clothing. Bookings required, details below.
Their efforts, month-after-month for the last four-and-a-half years, have saved tonnes of goods from landfill sites and more than $5000.
Following National Volunteer Week (May 19-25), Les Barkla, President of Repair Café Redcliffe Peninsula, heaped praise on them for stepping up.
“Our amazing team has hosted 37 workshops, repairing 809 of 1174 items, preventing more than 3.3 tonnes of waste from entering the environment,” Les said.
“Most volunteers have been with us since we started (November 2021). We have people like electricals repairer Roger who volunteers at five Repair Cafes a month.
“The efforts of our volunteers extend the life of everyday household items and stop heavy metals and toxic materials harming the environment and ecosystems.
“These volunteer skills and services are the backbone of many communities across Queensland and Australia.”
Repair Café Redcliffe Peninsula recently won two Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards for Not-for-Profit Excellence and Environmental Sustainability.
“At the Queensland Volunteer Awards, I was astounded at the energy, commitment, experience and community spirit of more than 300 volunteers there,” Les said.
“On average, 719 million hours are dedicated to community work by Queensland’s Volunteers every year, with $117.8 billion volunteer contribution value in 2023!”
Redcliffe’s Repair Café workshops are on the first Saturday each month at Redcliffe Uniting Church, 1 Richens St, Redcliffe.
Bookings are now being taken for the June 7 workshop. There is a Try Booking fee of $5.15 – see the link on social media.
Book in a repair and get involved via:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/repaircaferp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repaircafe.redcliffe.peninsula/
Website: https://linktr.ee/repaircaferedcliffepeninsula
Email: [email protected]
Repair Café Redcliffe Peninsula is supported by Redcliffe Markets, Express Recycling Clontarf and Redcliffe Uniting Church.
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