Next time you need a garden mulcher, spirit level or a hand plane, consider the Brunswick Tool Library. With a whopping catalogue of 1400 tools, skill-sharing workshops and affordable membership fees, the not-for-profit volunteer-led initiative supports Merri-bek residents to make, restore and repair things around the house – reducing what we send to landfill.
Brunswick Tool Library was hatched by a small team of locals committed to developing DIY skills in the community and sharing resources. It operates out of the East Brunswick Village at 127 Nicholson Street, and through twice monthly pop-up market stalls at Fawkner Food Bowls.
Learn to DIY
Sarah joined the library to learn how to use power tools safely, build confidence and repair things around her home.
Her first project was a cute little cupboard in her campervan needing a customised new drawer. Through the library she designed and built the drawer and met a whole lot of nice people along the way, leading her to sign up as the library’s volunteer Repair Cafe Coordinator.
Better together
“Alongside the workshops, where you learn how to fix your bicycle, for example, we also run free Repair Cafes,” she explains.
“About once a month, our great crew of expert repairers demonstrate how to fix things people have brought in – they tackle everything from repairing a lovely piece of furniture to how to sew patches on a jacket.”
To find out about membership, upcoming Repair Cafes, or to volunteer, visit the Brunswick Tool Library website or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
