Gerald Lynch
This month marks 15 years since the first repair cafe was established in Amsterdam, as Sunshine’s own rendition ticks past 15 months.
A place for people to bring a wide variety of items from jewellery to bikes, household gadgets, toys, clothing or gardening tools to be fixed for free, repair cafes have been established in communities across the world, including 110 in Australia.
One of them is situated at the Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House under the guise of the Sunshine Repair Cafe.
Founder and repairer Michael Mink said he always liked the idea of repair cafes so he jumped at the chance to be involved at with the Sunshine cafe.
“As a house spouse I’ve got two kids to take care of but I still have a bit of free time, and this was the perfect combination between fixing stuff and community,” he said.
“Over the time I have really enjoyed being part of it. It’s been great.”
The cafe typically sees about 15 to 20 people roll in across the day, with a roster of textile, bicycle, electrical, and general repairers on hand to help the community out.
Sustainability chief executive Matt Genever said epair cafes not only reduce waste and save people money, but also preserve repair skills and promote repairable products that can be used again and again.
“Repair cafes also teach people to see possessions in a new light and appreciate their value. People learn that you don’t always have to throw things away when they break – they can often be fixed,” he said.
“Not only are they sustainable, but repair cafes are also good for the hip pocket.”
The cafe opens on the fourth Sunday of every month from 12pm to 3pm, with the next session on November 24.
To make a repair booking, email sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, with walk-ins also allowed but repairs are not guaranteed depending on demand.
