Griffith University’s Nathan Campus is hosting a Repair Café on the 25th of July from 10 am until 2pm. Here’s what you can expect and why you should be excited.
What to expect
Repair Cafés are a place you can bring items to be mended by volunteers. In previous sessions repairs have been made not only to clothes but also to electronics such as mobile phones, laptops and speakers and even appliances like pressure cookers.
Why it’s exciting
As former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario has said “repair is a radical act”. In a culture where planned obsolescence and overconsumption are the norm despite our awareness of the environmental impacts of these behaviours, taking the time to mend and repair your belongings is an effective way of combating both. Griffith’s Repair Cafes have already prevented 220 kilograms worth of items from becoming landfill.
What else can we do?
After visiting the Repair Café you’re likely to be enthused with a newfound interest in Repair Culture. So here are a few rabbit holes to go down when you’re ready.
Check out Griffith’s own Australian Repair Network – a group who liaise with government and policy makers for the right to repair in Australia. You could even register to attend their free annual Repair Summit on August 11 online.
You could also spend time in the thriving online subcultures of Visible Mending and Upcycling. Sashiko style embroidery is a great place to start as it is a simple, but beautiful way to strengthen fabric. Or for inspiration take a look at Australian slow fashion label Spunky Bruiser who make one off pieces with recycled fabric.
To prevent disappointment you can prebook a timeslot.
And finally, in the words of designer Vivienne Westwood “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last.”
Griffith University supports the Sustainable Development Goals
The Right to Repair initiative is part of the Law Futures Centre’s commitment to address issues such as sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; and climate change for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.).
