Lindisfarne resident Arthur Francis has been mending broken things for almost 40 years. In his late teens Mr Francis learned how to fix cars, and his repertoire of skills has been growing ever since.
Repairing is caring
‘I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of working out how to fix things,’ said Mr Francis. After many years installing and repairing telecommunication equipment for Telecom (now Telstra), his own business is now focused on loudspeaker and audio-related equipment repairs.
Mr Francis started regularly sharing his skills for free with the community when Hobart Repair Café started in 2019 at Kickstart Arts, New Town. Repair Cafés are a global movement working to reduce waste and share skills while giving new life to broken items and creating community connection.
‘I dislike waste so when one of my customers told me about the Hobart Repair Café starting, I joined up. So many things going into landfill can easily be fixed if people know how,’ said Mr Francis.
Mr Francis has mended hundreds of items, from toys, ceramics and garden tool handles, to small furniture items, household appliances, shoe soles and jewellery.
‘I teach our customers how to fix the item they bring in. Next time they come across something similarly damaged they can then fix it themselves and pass that skill on to others. The biggest item I have repaired is an outdoor recliner chair. The smallest was reattaching tiny charms onto a bracelet. The most unusual item was an old toy musical carousel.’
Not content with one Repair Café, Mr Francis was also the impetus behind the recently launched Eastside Repair Café held on the last Saturday of each month at the Warrane Mornington Neighborhood Centre on Bligh Street.
‘They are just a great way to share some of the skills I take for granted. Plus I get to work with a great bunch of people at both Repair Cafés and meet interesting locals who bring in their items for mending.’
Mr Francis has been chosen as this month’s Climate Champion by the Clarence Climate Actions community group.
Learn more about the Eastside Repair Café.
Eastern Shore Sun, July 2022, page 11