Repair Café Docklands is back!

May saw the return of Docklands’ Repair Café in a new place with new partners!

Repair Café Docklands is a joint project by Neighbourhood House, the Docklands Representative Group (DRG) and now the Maker Space (City of Melbourne) – and the organisers couldn’t be happier with how the re-opening event went.

“Our new location at Library at the Dock is great for us – locals know where this is and the resources and additional support from the Maker Space really helps make this work,” Jason Butcher of Docklands Neighbourhood House said.

Of course, there are learnings, especially about queue control – “but that’s a good problem to have”, according to Linda Dugan from the DRG, who was the main greeter on the day.

Repairing on the day were three skilled sewers – Rebecca George, Louise Nicdao and Sandi Severin. Their machines and knitting needles barely stopped during the event and calls are out for others who are interested in helping with a “stich in time”!

Byne Fisher, armed with an array of glues and other “sticky” substances, was also working non-stop, helping locals put back together their wonky items.

This event also saw a new local business, Elephone, participate by running two iPhone workshops. Henry Zhu heard about the Repair Café and was keen to volunteer as their business’s philosophy is all about “healing” devices and reducing electronic waste.

Also, John Strachan from Melbourne’s Men’s Shed came to see how the event operated and ended up staying and helping out with a few repairs.

“Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things together. We are very keen to see how we might work together at future events” DRG president Ben Ball said.   

If people are interested in knowing more about Repair Café Docklands, notifications will be made on the new Repair Café Docklands Facebook page. •

For more information: facebook.com/rcdocklands