Contributions to the Workshop!   We usually hope visitors will drop a coin or two in the Donations Box – however on Saturday we were amply recompensed, by a contribution of music instead!    One  visitor brought a friend, who spotted the piano at Plympton hall, and immediately sat down to play. He said he hadn’t had the chance for years. So while our visitor cleaned & re-lubricated his wheel back axle -  and the rest of us fixed tyres and wheels – we had skilful  accompaniment, from 70’s favourites to contemporary.  

Bikes for STTARS  STTARS is an independent organisations that  assists people from a refugee and migrant background who have been traumatised as a result of persecution, violence, war or unlawful imprisonment.  These holidays, they’re running an activities camp for children at Victor, and asked if we could find some childrens bikes for them to use and maybe hand on.  On Saturday the “Bikes for Refugees” crew  got ready 7 childrens bikes and 2 teenagers/adult bikes, and  STTARS picked them up yesterday.    We’re happy to help. If  a child /teenager is troubled by bad memories - but  riding a bike helps them escape those for a while -   perhaps we've done something useful.   More information,  www.sttars.org.au.

Work experience trainee – The ‘bikes for refugees’  crew, have  new arrival Jawid  working with us for the next few weeks.  New arrivals  often look for part time work,  to help make ends meet while  completing education… However, it’s difficult  .. fewer jobs for young people;  employers  ask for  work experience, and favour those with it.   We hope the next few weeks will provide Jawid with work experience, and show him how things work here, so help him find other longer term jobs.   We fund the position, from sale of bikes donated to "Bikes for Refugees" .   So when you visit the workshop, say Hi to Jawid…

Bring & Fix, at Woodville…   A  few weeks back I was involved with Charles Sturt Council’s “Bring and Fix” event at Woodville.  The Council has trained volunteers who fix and repair bikes;  the Workshop and BISA support this, by contributing loan of  tools, stands, and expertise.   The event  was a success, with lots of people bringing bikes, for us to get going and rideable again, and leaving very happy.  There was, opportunity bike owners to watch the repairs being done (thus learn a bit). Owners and mechanics worked together, test-riding to get the bike running as well as possible. 

At the workshop, we recognise that people running cycling events, often want a bike mechanic present  –     it can be hard to find the  expertise, and equipment. This offers an opportunity for the Workshop and Volunteers, to  help the cycling community and get more people cycling. We've done 4 or 5 such events so far.

This Saturday (22nd) Workshop open   9am to 12 noon-ish. Free tea and coffee for the asking (friends welcome),; musical entertainment: we wish....