|
Men's Shed
|
Keep your bike out of landfill and donate to a great cause! You can drop your old bike off at anytime (please place in the blue trailer out the front) or Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9.30-11:30am to have a chat and find out more. Note: Bikes must be in a reasonable condition to be able to be repaired - minimal rust and dings.
About the 'Bikies'
The “bikies” group meets each Tuesday and Thursday to restore pre-loved bikes for refugee communities living in Geelong, African communities in Nambia, remote Indigenous communities in Northern Territory, as well as bushfire and flood victims on the East Coast of Australia. The project is supported by Diversitat in Geelong and has “grown like Topsy”. There seems to be no end of generosity from the community in donating bikes. So many that the group has had to find additional storage. The project has developed a team of 5 or 6 “bike specialists” who work tirelessly every week. Over 400 bikes have been repaired and are being put to good use - especially enjoyed by children! The support of the Uniting Church is appreciated in providing storage for completed bikes and its Vestry Shop to sell repaired children's bikes to generate revenue, bike parts and equipment. And OG Rotary for providing logistic support in getting bikes from Queenscliff to around the country and across the seas.
Where have the bikes gone? What has been the impact?
About the 'Bikies'
The “bikies” group meets each Tuesday and Thursday to restore pre-loved bikes for refugee communities living in Geelong, African communities in Nambia, remote Indigenous communities in Northern Territory, as well as bushfire and flood victims on the East Coast of Australia. The project is supported by Diversitat in Geelong and has “grown like Topsy”. There seems to be no end of generosity from the community in donating bikes. So many that the group has had to find additional storage. The project has developed a team of 5 or 6 “bike specialists” who work tirelessly every week. Over 400 bikes have been repaired and are being put to good use - especially enjoyed by children! The support of the Uniting Church is appreciated in providing storage for completed bikes and its Vestry Shop to sell repaired children's bikes to generate revenue, bike parts and equipment. And OG Rotary for providing logistic support in getting bikes from Queenscliff to around the country and across the seas.
Where have the bikes gone? What has been the impact?
- To the Yarralin School in remote Northern Territory resulting in a huge increase in school attendance
- To victims of the 2019/20 bushfires in Gippsland (with more being prepared now for the Flood Communities)
- The Diversitat refugee bike education program.
- Excess bikes donated to the Bikes for Humanity program which are shipped to Namibia where local people are trained in bike mechanics and repairs to provide them with employment and skills.
- Substantial money from second hand bike sales to our local community are used to help fund refugee camps organised by Diversitat in Queenscliff.
- 50 bike helmets purchased for Diversitat program with more donated for Yarralin school.
- Involvement in acquiring donated fishing equipment to assist with youth fishing activity run by Diversitat with some members assisting with this program.
- The freshly cooked scones/ morning tea are a much appreciated and enjoyed feature of Tuesdays.
