Teddy bears, clocks, furniture and electronics have been restored to their former glory at Cromwell’s Repair Cafe, held at the Cromwell Sports Club on Saturday. 

The Cromwell Repair Event, a collaboration between Wastebusters and Connect Cromwell, was a great success, with plenty of volunteers helping out on the day.

Connect Cromwell Community facilitator Georgie Affleck says she was delighted the collaboration with Wastebusters saved items from landfill.

“It’s about reviving the idea that items can be restored with a little care.

“Sadly a lot of electrical items are designed so that they have to be replace not restored.

“Saying that, our funniest repair was a 42-inch TV that was destined for the electronic waste as it hadn’t worked since the family had moved house in May. 

“After bringing it in to our fabulous volunteers from Andrew Tall electrical – it was identified that a power switch under the screen just needed to be turned on.”

Of the 46 items brought in for some attention, 32 were able to be repaired, including a soft toy with a missing eye, which now sports an eye patch.

A devoted group of volunteers helped repair the community's old items. Photo: Connect Cromwell. 

There were a further three toys brought in, 17 electrical items, 15 clothing/textile items, seven pieces of furniture, one bike and four miscellaneous items.

Teddy bears, clocks, furniture and electronics have been restored to their former glory.

Alexandra Wastebusters communications coordinator Alexia Johnston says she is grateful for the many people who assisted on the day. 

"We are very lucky to have so many talented people in our district who are willing to pass on their skills to benefit others." 

She says without support from volunteers the event would not be possible. 

Both Alexia and Georgie were happy to see so many of the public make the most of the event.  

They were kept busy as a steady stream of people made use of the free event, hosted at the Cromwell Sports Club.

“These events are the perfect opportunity to not only get items repaired, but to find out if, in fact, they can be fixed,” Alexia says. 

“We feel very lucky to have so many skilled people living amongst us, who are willing to utilise their expertise to benefit others.

"Without our talented volunteers these events would not be possible."