GAWLER Repair Cafe, a popular waste-reduction initiative run by Gawler
Environment Centre (GEC), will make a move to Gawler Civic Centre this month.

The first session at the new location will be on Saturday, April 17 from
9.30am-12.30pm. Volunteer repairers will be set up in the breakout area outside Gawler Public Library, and will provide free repairs for small appliances, household items, bikes, jewellery, clothing and textiles.

“We are very excited about our move to Gawler Civic Centre, and believe it
will offer a great opportunity for more people to visit our service,” GEC co-ordinator Kathy Whitta said. “If you plan to visit the library, or you are doing some shopping on Murray Street, bring along an item you would like fixed and see one of our skilled volunteers.”

Ms Whitta said no appointments were necessary – people could pop in between 9.30am and noon.

“We make sure we weigh every repaired item so we can calculate diversion from landfill for each session,” she said. “We have held three sessions so far and diverted over 120kg.”

Cafe volunteer Helen Hennessy said she was excited to be part of the
worthwhile community service and to share her textile skills.

“Community members benefit through repairs to items that are often classed as not worth fixing,” Ms Hennessy said.

“It saves them money, because they don’t need to buy a new item, plus they feel good about helping the environment. And they develop new skills because we show people how to conduct the repairs themselves where possible.”

The cafe runs every second month, with the next two sessions on April 17 and June 19. Coffee, tea and cake are provided at each session.

Further information is available at gawlerenvironmentcentre.org.au/event-gawler-repair-cafe