Bringing Smiles to Children’s Faces
The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repairers, originally known as the Warringah Senior Citizens Toy Repairers, was established in 1975. Its founding goals were to create a meaningful community organisation, provide an engaging activity for senior citizens, bring joy to underprivileged children and promote toy recycling to help reduce landfill waste.
Over the past 45 years, the group has not only met these goals but far exceeded them. What began as a local initiative now reaches children across the world. The group is made up of more than 30 dedicated senior retirees, both men and women who volunteer countless hours each week to ensure disadvantaged children have access to toys, books, games, puzzles, and more. They gladly accept toys in any condition, restoring them to near-new quality whenever possible. Through their tireless work, thousands of toys have been repaired and distributed over the decades.
Their journey has not been without challenges. Without a permanent base, they have worked from garden sheds, demountables and various temporary spaces, enduring acts of vandalism and graffiti. In 1998, a devastating fire destroyed their entire stock just before Christmas. Even during the recent pandemic, the group adapted and continued operating in a reduced format, always prioritising safety and community service.
With strong community backing from local tradespeople, businesses and Rotary, the group eventually established its current workshop in Ingleside. Since rebuilding after the fire, they have continued to grow and now support nearly 80 organisations and groups. Their efforts benefit both local and international charities and nonprofit organisations, maintaining a substantial stock of toys ready for immediate distribution.
Due to redevelopment at their Ingleside site, the Peninsula Toy Recyclers recently sought a more stable and permanent home. In late 2022, Kimbriki CEO Peter Davis invited them to relocate to The HUB at Kimbriki. Over recent months, the dedicated volunteers have begun transferring their busy operations to this new location.
Their reach extends far beyond the Northern Beaches, with donations delivered to children in need through agencies operating in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Togo and Fiji. Through partnerships with organisations such as Samaritan’s Purse, Network Heaven, Operation Christmas Child, and Operation Food for Life, hundreds of soft toys and school resources have been distributed to children living in extreme poverty, some for the first time ever receiving a toy.
The group has also supported drought-stricken farmers through Rotary and Lions Clubs, contributed to Rotary fundraisers, and provided toys to Aboriginal children in Redfern and Brewarrina. Many healthcare professionals also use the toys to assist children coping with trauma, anxiety and stress-related issues.
While their humanitarian efforts are too numerous to list, the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repairers remain steadfast in upholding the founding ideals of their organisation, community, compassion and connection.
HOW YOU CAN DONATE: If you wish to contribute, you can donate toys by dropping toys off at the Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre’s Toy Repair Shed (pictured below), located at Household Problem Waste (Drop-off Point 3), during the centre’s opening hours from 7am to 5pm, seven days a week.
VOLUNTEERS: For those interested in learning more about their work and willing to travel to Ingleside, please email Terry – cookt308@gmail.com to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
