Dozens of items were saved from landfill and given a new lease on life at the launch of Repair Cafe Ballarat on Saturday.
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More than 30 volunteer fixers shared their time and knowledge with members of the public who visited the Repair Cafe with broken items in the hope they could be repaired.
Many visitors left the event with a once-again useful item, while others whose item could not be fixed on the day were given guidance on sourcing replacement parts. Many people left the event with new skills in repairing and new connections.
Of the items received at the launch event, 15 were fixed, eight were partially fixed with referrals given and six could not be fixed.
Items repaired included clothing, toys, an umbrella, a record player, a teapot, a television, a CD player, side table and kettle.
Watch the video below featuring volunteer repairer Liz Wade, visitor Tom Hodgson and a repaired woollen jumper.
Long-time repairers Karen and Danny Ellis visited Ballarat from Melton for the launch of the event.
The retired couple call themselves 'travelling tinkerers' and have been travelling to Repair Cafes around Victoria for the past two years under the name Mend It, Australia.
Saturday's event in Ballarat marked their 25th visit to a Repair Cafe this year and 69th in the past two years.
See our gallery of photos from the first Repair Cafe Ballarat event below.
Mrs Ellis said their passion for Repair Cafes was based on contributing to communities, inspiring people to keep items out of landfill, and helping them learn new skills while saving money.
"Repair Cafes are bringing communities together across the generations. Not many regular events do that," she said.
"Many people who come in might not have any to fix. They just come in for a chat over tea, coffee and biscuits. And it is about showcasing people who have skills that could soon be lost."
Mr Ellis has skills in electrical and mechanical repairs. He was working on repairing a broken cuckoo clock at the Repair Cafe before he spoke with The Courier on Saturday.
"It is great when something can be fixed to see the joy on someone's face," he said.
"I had a really lovely repair last week. An elderly woman came in to Repair Cafe Wonthaggi with an overlocker she was worried she had broken. I checked it out and got it to work again and she started crying with joy. For me that is what it is all about."
Mr and Mrs Ellis advocate for right to repair regulation that would mandate manufacturers create goods that are fixable and of higher quality standards.
Mr Ellis said many items can not be repaired because of manufacturing that prevents the item being pulled apart.
Community members are encouraged to bring their broken items to the next Repair Cafe at the Ballarat Tech School on August 31 from 1pm to 4pm.
Visit repaircafe.ballarat.com.au for more information.