Did you know that 18 October 2025 is both World Op Shop Day and the International Day of Repair?
These global days shine a light on two powerful ways we can reduce waste and make the most of the resources already in our hands.
World Op Shop Day, led by Charitable Reuse Australia, celebrates the incredible role of op shops and reuse organisations. These community champions help extend the life of clothing, furniture and household goods, keeping valuable items in use and out of landfill, all while supporting local charities and social causes.
International Day of Repair, hosted by the Open Repair Alliance, highlights the growing global movement to fix rather than toss. International Repair Day is a relatively recent initiative, with the first event taking place in 2017 and has a strong focus on electrical repair. This year’s theme is software obsolescence, a reminder that digital repair and device longevity are just as important as mending physical item.
Local actions and opportunities
Here in our region, we’re lucky to have many wonderful businesses, organisations and community groups who repair, restore and reuse every day. From tailors and bike mechanics to IT technicians, artists and those who run repair and reuse workshops — these local heroes help us all save money, reduce waste, and keep valuable skills alive.
Together, small choices like shopping second-hand or getting an item repaired can make a big difference. Let’s celebrate the creativity and care that keeps good things in circulation!
Below we highlight some great ways you can connect with Repair and Reuse in our local community:
Repair & Reuse Directories
Garage Sale Trail Nov 8-9 & 15-16
The Repair Fair Sunday 16 Nov
Got something that needs fixing or something you no longer need? Our Repair and Reuse Directories connect our community to local repair & reuse businesses and organisations. Explore the wide range of repairers and the array of reuse organisations skilled and ready to help keep items alive for longer!
Repair Directory
Reuse Directory
The Garage Sale Trail is returning to Port Macquarie Hastings this November, bringing two weekends of bargain hunting, community fun, and epic secondhand finds! Whether you’re selling or shopping, Garage Sale Trail makes it easy, fun, and rewarding. Whether you are a seller or a shopper, find out how you can get involved in 2025!
Bringing the Repair and Reuse directories to life, the inaugural Repair Fair celebrates the amazing skills of our local repairers and those who provide options for revitalising and reusing items! Join us at the Port Macquarie library on Sunday 16th November 2025 for a market style event, with workshops and demonstrations, market stalls, live music and local food!
