From small household items to full-scale renovations, more and more Australians are choosing to repair rather than replace.
To celebrate this shift towards practical mending, WD-40 Company held its annual Repair Challenge from March 1 – April 18 this year. The competition invited home fixers, local makers and professional repairers to showcase their most impressive projects.
The challenge was open to everyone in Australia, and welcomed video entries demonstrating repairs on any scale. The aim was to promote a more sustainable way of reducing waste and encourage new skills.
For those unsure about where to start, Men’s Sheds and Repair Cafes offered a space where participants could find tools, materials and expert guidance for their projects.
The power of a quick fix
The Repair Challenge proves that no repair is too small to make a difference. According to Rosemary Murphy, Marketing Manager at WD-40 Company, it was started to bolster the growing repair movement by allowing curious community members the chance to learn about the art of repairing for themselves.
“The challenge began as a way of showing entrants that giving new life to belongings can reduce waste, save money and help them develop valuable, practical skills along the way,” Rosemary explains.
“Ultimately, it is about raising awareness for the environmental and economic benefits of repair, while encouraging more people to give it a go.”
Since its inception, the competition has grown to welcome a wave of less experienced fixers, suggesting that more people are turning to DIY when faced with an item that needs mending. Rosemary believes this may have started as a result of the cost of living crisis, but as new people join the repair community, they discover all the other benefits to learning these skills.
“In the past the motivation to repair was often economic, but today more Australians are choosing to extend the life of their belongings for both practical and environmental reasons. There’s a renewed pride in practical skills and people are increasingly interested in maintaining the things they own rather than immediately replacing them,” she says
“We’re also seeing growing interest from younger families and first-time homeowners who want to develop basic repair skills and become more self-reliant. Community initiatives such as Repair Cafes and Men’s Sheds are playing an important role in this shift, creating welcoming spaces where people can learn from one another, share knowledge and reconnect with practical skills.”
For those wishing to try their hand at repairs before next year’s competition, Rosemary says it’s as simple as starting small.
“Simple fixes like tightening loose parts or reviving old tools are great ways to build confidence and learn how things work.
“It’s also helpful to connect with others who have experience. Repair is often about curiosity and patience rather than specialist expertise. The Repair Challenge celebrates people at every skill level and shows that even small repairs can make a big difference.”
Creating a community
In fact, the best way to kickstart a repair journey is to engage in community initiatives such as Repair Cafes and Men’s Sheds, which bring together people with practical knowledge who are willing and excited to share their skills with beginners.
Dr Mark Glazebrook, Founding Director of Knox Repair Cafe, says the competition is just an extension of Australia’s long tradition of tinkering and ‘making do’. At his Repair Cafe, volunteers are selected both for their skill and ability to make visitors feel welcome.
“Some of our wonderful volunteers are social workers who have supported isolated or struggling community members to stay connected and find further help,” he says.
The cafe runs workshops, bike repairs and car maintenance, and attends broader volunteer events to connect with locals. But the heart of its mission is simple – to encourage people to get hands on in their repairs.
“Sometimes we limit ourselves when the solution is well within our reach,” Mark says. “Repairing makes you feel more confident, and there is a sense of achievement and pride when you can fix something yourself. It also saves you a lot of money.”
Mark believes that the Repair Challenge is a great way to show how easy it is to repair something, even when it might seem daunting at first. It’s also a way to meet new friends and build a supportive network.
“See if you can share some items with neighbours and friends, rather than buy everything yourself. Whether it’s garden tools, tyre pumps, or mowers, you’ll build relationships with people so quickly in the world of repair.”
His overall message is one of sustainability and improvement.
“Many things can be fixed with little or no special knowledge, so pause before you throw an item away.”
The Repair Challenge wrapped up its 2026 event with some incredible entries from around the country. Its mission – to inspire Aussies to repair items and extend their lives – is now more powerful than ever.
To read about three Aussie charities helping those in need, click here.