Ingleside’s answer to Pinocchio’s Geppetto brings joy to children all over Australia by giving old toys a new life
What do a marine engineer, an opera singer and a farmer have in common? They like to bring toys back to life and bring joy to thousands of children, far and wide. And they save a lot from going to landfill.
Terry Cook, president of Peninsula Seniors Toy Recyclers (PSTR) at Ingleside has a background in farming and building. He has been tinkering with toys for 20 years and his stellar work and commitment recently earned him a Northern Beaches Council Outstanding community service award on Australia Day.
PSTR get lots of donations of old or unwanted toys after Christmas and from parents whose kids have outgrown something, such as baby toys. Toys must be in good condition and the group fixes up what they can.
Otherwise, they might donate parts to their Kimbriki neighbours, Bikes for Life, Reverse Garbage and Boomerang Bags, who may find a use for them. Incidentally, Boomerang Bags makes clothes for the dolls.
Terry tells Peninsula Living Pittwater that a lot of the refreshed toys go to local organisations such as Lions Clubs, women’s refuges, charity shops and mother’s groups. Many also head to Africa or Sri Lanka.
Mayor Sue Heins presents Terry with his council Australia Day award
“Some of the kids have never had a toy. They don’t know what a toy is,” says Terry. “And we hear stories of a child handing a toy back and (they’re told) ‘No, it’s yours,’”.
Volunteers are generally retirees in their 70s and 80s, but their eldest is 93. They don’t need any special skills as there’s always something they can do.
Terry says it’s a great way ‘to get out of the house’ and ‘make new friends’. Volunteers come from all walks of life.
An opera singer repairs battery-operated toys, a professor fixes scooters and another man has been sorting out games and puzzles for 20 years!
“We’ve got airline pilots, a ship’s captain, school teachers, accountants and electronic engineers,” says Terry. “And nearly as many women as men.”
PSTR will be moving its workshop to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre from their current location next to the Bahá’í Temple on Mona Vale Road, but they are working from both places for the moment.
Opening hours are 9am to 12pm, Monday to Thursday, and volunteers help out when it suits them.
For more information, visit peninsulatoys.wixsite.com/my-site2