Happy customer Florence with her newly mended wardrobe drawer. By Hilary Stuchbery
BEFORE the doors even opened for the first Fixit Café at the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed on July 21, people were lining up with items to be fixed.
A rocking chair, a garden fork, a sander and a saucepan were all weighed and handed over to the appropriate volunteer.
Robert Mesley and his team of fixers from the Men’s Shed kept up a blistering pace of mending, while guest volunteers from Melton, Karen and Danny Ellis, concentrated on electrical faults and sewing.
Meanwhile, Iain Ritchie served up endless coffees from the machine and visitors enjoyed the delicious contributions as the buzz in the room intensified.
BEFORE the doors even opened for the first Fixit Café at the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed on July 21, people were lining up with items to be fixed.
A rocking chair, a garden fork, a sander and a saucepan were all weighed and handed over to the appropriate volunteer.
Robert Mesley and his team of fixers from the Men’s Shed kept up a blistering pace of mending, while guest volunteers from Melton, Karen and Danny Ellis, concentrated on electrical faults and sewing.
Meanwhile, Iain Ritchie served up endless coffees from the machine and visitors enjoyed the delicious contributions as the buzz in the room intensified.
By 1.30pm 15 items had been mended, amounting to 47.5 kilograms saved from going to landfill.
The aim of the Fixit Café is to help folks revisit the art of repair (rather than restoration) while having a social time and getting to know others in their community.
The next event is on Sunday, August 18, from 11am to 2pm at the Harvest Centre/Wonthaggi Men’s Shed, which is accessible from the Big W Carpark. There will be an information session on mower maintenance ready for spring.
It’s helpful if items to be fixed, or offers to be a fixer (all skills welcome) can be registered with Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House on 5672 3731 or call Hilary Stuchbery 0457 850 578.
The aim of the Fixit Café is to help folks revisit the art of repair (rather than restoration) while having a social time and getting to know others in their community.
The next event is on Sunday, August 18, from 11am to 2pm at the Harvest Centre/Wonthaggi Men’s Shed, which is accessible from the Big W Carpark. There will be an information session on mower maintenance ready for spring.
It’s helpful if items to be fixed, or offers to be a fixer (all skills welcome) can be registered with Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House on 5672 3731 or call Hilary Stuchbery 0457 850 578.
 Bruce Elder and Robert Mesley assess a broken rocking chair |  Richard Kentwell and Brandon Stewart check out a chainsaw. |