.jpg?timestamp=1763754187525)
The inaugural meeting of the Warringah Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group was held at the Human Resources Centre in Wetherill Street, Narrabeen at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 19 November 1975.
In attendance were Mr. D. Taylor (House with No Steps), Mr. M. Dunstancе (House with No Steps), Mr. N. Anderson (Human Resources Centre), Cr. Helen W. Burgan (Warringah Shire Council and Meals on Wheels), Mr. Frank McAskill (Social Welfare Co-ordinator, Warringah Shire Council), Mr. F. Hume, Mr. R. Ross, Mr. J. Costello and Mr. J. Penning.
Mr. Frank McAskill the Social Welfare Co-ordinator for Warringah Shire Council gave details of a proposed new group.
The proprietor of Warringah Toy and Trophy Pty. Ltd. of 4 Green Street, Brookvale, Mr. Don Jackson, had approached Mr. McAskill with the suggestion that a group of Senior Citizens could perhaps be formed to repair the many new toys which were broken in transit, or became damaged by handling. He also suggested that old toys could be repaired and repainted.
The toys so repaired would then be donated by the Toy Repair Group to needy families or children's establishments such as the Royal Far West, Dalwood Home, etc.
A project such as this was supported by Mr. McAskill as it would give active participation to Senior Citizens and the results would be positive. However, the need existed for somewhere to establish a Toy Repair Centre and for someone to take responsibility for forming the group and organising the system.
Both these factors were investigated and, in conjunction with the House with No Steps, the Human Resources Centre in Wetherill Street, Narrabeen was made available on the Wednesday of each week.
Four Senior Citizens, Mr. R. Ross, Mr. F. Hume, Mr. J. Costello and Mr. J. Penning, agreed to conduct and organise the project under the guidance of Mr. D. Taylor from the House with No Steps.
Six cartons of new, but damaged, toys from Mr. Jackson's Toy and Trophy shop would be made available and the project could begin immediately. More toys would be available from week to week.
It was agreed that the proposal outlined by Mr. McAskill was an extremely good one, and one that would benefit the under-privileged children in the area. All agreed that the project would be launched forthwith and the committee established to carry out the necessary administrative actions.
Members present thanked Mr. Jackson of Toy and Trophy for the initial idea and for making the toys available, and Mr. McAskill for his efforts in setting up the organization. Members also recorded their appreciation to the House with No Steps for making their premises in Wetherill Street, Narrabeen, available.
Cr. Helen Burgan gave a personal donation of $10 to allow the Committee to have working capital for minor items and also to open the bank account. The committee was deeply appreciative of Mrs. Burgan's support.
The Social Development and Welfare Committee of Warringah Shire Council recommended that $170 be donated to the group to purchase storage cabinets. This recommendation was approved by Council at their ordinary meeting of the 1 December 1975.
The first committee for the Toy Repair Group was as follows:
Chairman: Mr. F. Hume
Sec/Treasurer: Mr. J. Costello
Members: Mr. R. Ross Mr. J. Penning Mr. H. Card Mr. V. Miller
After the inaugural meeting the group met weekly at Wetherill Street. In order increase the intake of toys some of the retail stores were approached and asked if they would be willing to donate their broken toys. Toys were received from Grace Bros., David Jones, Woolworths and Waltons. For many years these stores were a very good source of material but unfortunately they have for one reason or another stopped the donations.
The Group moved, in 1978, from Wetherill Street to a property owned by the Health Commission in Anzac Avenue, Collaroy and used the double car garage attached to the house. Mr. McAskill had played a very important role in the Group; arranging facilities, recruiting new members and general involvement in most of the Group's activities and they expressed their grateful thanks.
Frank McAskill MBE
An application was made for the Aged Services Innovative Grant in 1979. The objectives of their project were described as follows:
To create an organisation that can be of great benefit in the area
To provide an activity for Senior Citizens
To bring joy and pleasure to under-privileged children
To recycle toys and thereby permit money so saved to be used for other essential needs.
The foundation chairman, Mr. F. Hume, resigned at the May 1977 meeting. The Committee reluctantly accepted his resignation and were pleased when he agreed to continue as a member of the Committee.
The Group held their first Annual General Meeting on 21 May 1980. Mr. McAskill prepared a constitution which was adopted after two minor adjustments were made.
The Group had to vacate its premises in Anzac Avenue in early 1980 and moved to a new location at the Narrabeen Community Learning Centre in the grounds of Narrabeen High School. The new venue provided much more space to work in and two large garden sheds were installed inside the Old Gym for storage. The Group purchased four trestle tables.
Due to ill health Joe Costello, the foundation Secretary/Treasurer resigned but continued on as a member of the Group. When the need arose the group purchased special toys from "Francell" (the workshop of the House with No Steps) to distribute with the repaired toys. the Group also repaired toys received from recipient institutions.
With the formation of Pittwater Council in 1992 the group changed its name to 'The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group' to better reflect the volunteer membership.
Members of The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group in 1998. Photo: Pittwater Council, Warringah Council and the PSCRG
During 1998 the work space that had been adjacent to Narrabeen Sports High School was burnt by vandals, just before Christmas and prior to the distribution of the toys for children at that time of the year. The group had to raise $30 000.00 to relocate to a green shed beside the Baháʼí Temple at Ingleside, thanks to the generosity of the landowners, the Queenwood school.
The new facility was established in 2005.
This became known as the Bert Williams Memorial Building. Bert Williams OAM, was a member, and later President of the Group, for close to 27 years until he passed away in 2001. He was a major driving force in the initial half of the life of the Group and said he was originally "conned" into coming along to help out for one day, but loved it so much he stayed over two decades. "A bike (repair) a day keeps the doctor away" - was his quote for staying physically and mentally active in old age.
Terry Cook joined soon after the group moved to Ingleside, and used his expertise as a builder to further expand the operations of the Group to what it is today. Terry is now our President, and can be seen on many days of the week collecting toys in his trusty (but creaky) white van.
Former Mackellar MP Jason Falinski secured a grant for repairs to this facility when this was required.
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.
The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repairers 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 50 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 40 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, 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. 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 have continued to grow and now support nearly 80 organisations and groups. Their efforts benefit both local and international charities and non-profit organisations, maintaining a substantial stock of toys ready for immediate distribution.
Their reach extends far beyond the peninsula, 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.
Since 1975, dozens of volunteers at Peninsula Toys have refurbished thousands of toys, games, dolls, and bicycles for reuse by various children’s charities in Australia and overseas. Recent donations overseas include:
- A container filled with ten large boxes of stuffed toys, ten boxes of early learning educational games, and children’s bikes were sent to kindergartens and childcare facilities in Tonga.
- Two large boxes of small stuffed toys and over 100 small toy cars were shipped to Sri Lanka.
- Other recipients picking up toys from Kimbriki include:
- Ann Charleston for a Pre School at the Bill Crews Exodus Foundation.
- Sandra Gillard from The Cubby House Toy Library.
- Lifeline picked up two large boxes of educational games and puzzles.
- Anne from St. Lucy’s hand-selected items for their organisation.
- Catholic Care visited to choose specific toys for some of their families in need.
- Two speech therapists from ‘Beyond Words’ carefully selected the ideal educational toys for their students .
- Champa Oweda, who sends toys to Sri Lanka.
- Pat Watson from ‘Operation Christmas Child’, these toys are added to ‘Shoe Boxes’ for Samaritan’s Purse.
- The Adra Op Shop at Morisset, who have collected truckloads of toys from Ingleside and Kimbriki.
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.
Members of this organisation have received the Frank McAskill Award. This Award was given annually to the person or organisation who has contributed significantly to ‘The improvement of the quality of life for senior citizens in the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Area’.
Frank McAskill ; a life well lived / research compiled by Jim Boyce ; edited by Warringah Council's Aged Services - Dee Why, N.S.W. : Warringah Library Service, 2011, 27 pages : illustrations (chiefly colour), portraits ; 21 cm.
Summary: "In recognition of the history and the positive impact of the Frank McAskill Award Program in the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater area, it was decided by the three local councils that a publication be produced honouring both the man and the Award. To these ends, a research project was proposed to highlight both Frank's extraordinary life and the contribution to the community by the many McAskill Award winners"--Introduction. Extracts available online at: www.australianartilleryassociation.org/memorial_roll/documents/ltcol_frank_mcaskill_mbe.pdf
Website: peninsulatoys
At left Donna Cliff, next Terry Cook president - at Right Peter Davis CEO Kimbriki
