Derwent Valley Repair Cafe

01/08/2026

Thanks Michelle! Great to see you today. We are very proud of our community initiative, and of the amazing local volunteers that support us with talent and skills.

30/07/2026

Textile waste is a huge issue. We’re all responsible at some time or other of parting with a piece of clothing that could be repaired for further use - so why not bring that piece into the Derwent Valley Repair Cafe to see if it can be fixed to extend its life and your wardrobe. Let’s work together to illuminate waste and repair, reuse and rewear.

In an effort to better understand the ever growing problem of textile waste, Resource has formed a Textile Working Group! This group has come together to try and get better data on how much textile waste comes through our hands and come up with solutions before it becomes landfill.

Liam has put together a chart for our shop to track over the next month how many trolleys (AKA how may kilo’s) we process.

Textile waste is a mammoth problem globally, but even down here in Tasmania, positive action can take place when people decide to help.

We will keep you all posted about our findings and more as it happens with our Textile Working Group! In the meantime, learn a mending skill, get something you don’t wear anymore altered to better suit your new style, do a wardrobe swap with a friend - there are so many ways to reduce your textile waste!

29/07/2026

Cristelle is one of our amazing Volunteers. She always delivers a warm and hospitable welcome to all of our visitors. Joined by her husband Clive as a part of our IT Team.
So much creativity in our community. Read her story and pop in to meet an awesome group of local community supporters.

HOUSE PROUD 005 | Cristelle Denney

Some artists paint what they see.

Others paint what they feel.

Cristelle Denney is one of those artists.

There is a quiet strength in Cristelle's work that reflects the person behind the canvas. Gentle, thoughtful, intelligent and endlessly fascinating, she has an incredible ability to express what words sometimes cannot.

In 2006, Cristelle was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Like many invisible illnesses, it brought challenges that others couldn't always see or understand. Through it all, her husband and two sons became what she describes as her equilateral triangle of support.

"The triangle is the strongest shape. In both theory and practice, it can withstand immense forces in all directions equally."

Within that support, Cristelle found painting.

She writes:

"Whenever the noise would start, that I could not quieten, I'd paint... When I paint, the noise dissipates as I tell a story without the words I cannot find."

The painting hanging in the artHouse at the moment is from my own collection. It's called 3am, Convolution of the Mind, and it is one of my most treasured possessions.

Every time I look at it, I discover something new. The layers, the movement, the energy—it feels as though you're looking into a mind searching for stillness before finally finding it. Knowing Cristelle's story only deepens my appreciation of this remarkable work.

Cristelle is one of those people who leaves every room a little brighter. It has been a privilege to exhibit her work at the artHouse, and an even greater privilege to live with one of her paintings every day.

Because behind every artwork is a thousand unseen moments of persistence.

Nicky

29/07/2026

Don’t you know it!! REPAIR CAFE this Saturday from 11am to 1.30pm. Find us behind Create Do and Mend by the ArtHouse 63 High St, New Norfolk. Follow the signs - you’ll find us! 🔔

27/07/2026

THIS SATURDAY 1 AUGUST - the next Derwent Valley Repair Cafe is happening again for all of you that are looking for FIXES and SOLUTIONS. Last month was a bumper session AND there was a much appreciated cake delivery.
Come and discover - you’ll be surprised we guarantee it. 🔔

06/07/2026

What a fantastic session we had at the Derwent Valley Repair Café last Saturday!

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who generously shared their time, skills and knowledge to help keep much-loved items out of landfill. We simply couldn't do it without you.

Thank you as well to everyone who came along with something to repair, stopped in for a chat, or came to see what we're all about. Every item repaired is a small win for our community and our environment.

We'll be back on Saturday, 1st August, and we'd love to see you there. Whether you have something that needs repairing, a skill you'd like to share, or you're just curious about what we do, you're always welcome.

See you next month!

06/07/2026

It’s amazing what a little attention and care can create. If you have something that needs a little love, bring it to the next REPAIR CAFE on Saturday 1 August. Put it on the TO DO LIST. We’ll be there.

The sewing machines that people bring to the Repair Café are often not broken. Often, the owner just needs a little help on how to use them. Our repairers are more than happy to help. So, come on by! https://repaircafe.org/en/sewing-machine-broken-repair-cafe-fixes/

03/07/2026

The New Norfolk Market maybe cancelled for tomorrow (Saturday 4 July) but our hardy volunteers will still be onsite and the Derwent Valley Repair Cafe will be OPEN from 11am to 1.30pm. See you there. Follow the sign from the High Street, New Norfolk. You’ll find us. See you there!!

Due to limited stallholder bookings and the forecast of inclement weather, tomorrow’s New Norfolk Market (Saturday 4 July) has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing everyone next week at our Winter Showcase Event ❄️