Repair It Lake Mac
Small changes lead to big impacts... Be part of the change!
Sustainable Neighbourhoods Lake Macquarie are hosting regular Repair events around the City.
With thanks to our partners and supporters, The Women’s Shed on the Lake and Upcycle Newcastle.
What is a Repair Cafe?
Our vision is to create a free (and fun!) meeting place where people come together to repair and give a new lease of life to their stuff.

We want to help people connect with their local community, reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, and to share valuable and practical skills of how to fix things – many of which are being lost over time.

And most of all, we want to show you how much fun repairing things can be, and how easy it often is!
The Lake Macquarie Repair Cafe is a place to socialise, learn new skills, and help each other. Our focus is on showing you how to fix your items, rather than just fixing it for you.
What repairs can we help with?
At the moment we are able to offer assistance with:
  • Clothing repairs, eg hemming pants and skirts, fixing holes, patching split seams or small tears, replacing fasteners such as buttons, zips and press studs, taking in or letting out simple seams. We won't be refashioning entire garments.
  • Small hand tools sharpening and repair
  • Small furniture
  • Small electrical items
Bring along your items, and we will do our best to help you fix them.
We would love to expand the kinds of items we can help repair. Do you have some special skills you'd like to offer? Please get in touch.
What happens at a Repair Cafe?
When you attend a Repair Cafe event, you will be welcomed with a smile, we'll take some details from you and weigh your item.

You will then be directed to the appropriate repair station. Our repair volunteers can be popular, so we encourage you to grab a cuppa, some cake and have a chat while you wait.

Our volunteers are keen to share their skills so watch, listen and learn - maybe next time you'll have the knowledge to give it a go yourself!
Can I just turn up?
Yes!
You are welcome to pop in and say hello at any of our events. Stay for a cup of tea and a chat.
Bring along any items you'd like help to repair.
Or if you have nothing to repair, you're are welcome to help others with their projects; or learn some new skills, or just enjoy some cake.
What happened at our very first event?
Lake Macquarie's first Repair Cafe was huge success with about 25 people enjoying a Saturday afternoon of repairs and socialising at the Hub in Toronto.

We were busy making new friends, chatting and creating over wonderfully delicious savory and sweet afternoon treats.

Over 22 sewing repairs and clothing repurposing was completed; and more than 15 tools were given new life. We helped each other fix a bunch of items including a leather vest, children's dress ups, various clothes, and even the inside lining of some ice skates.
Keep up to date
Repair events are run at different locations in Lake Macquarie.
Find out about upcoming Sustainable Neighbourhood events and activities.