History
The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group was originally set up in 1975, when Don Jackson, owner of Warringah Toy and Trophy, who approached Frank McAskill at Warringah Council, with the idea of setting up repair operation ran by retirees, which refurbished new toys which arrived damaged or were broken through handling, and then distribute them to children in need.
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This idea was quickly taken up, and expanded to used toys in good condition. Accommodation was established, with the help of Council, near Narrabeen lake , and a number of motivated retirees started to fix toys that were then distributed to Royal Far West, Dalwood Home and other Northern Beaches children's charities.
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In 2005 the group moved to new premises in Ingleside and has continued to expand on this site ever since.
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Over the years the operation has expanded from just serving charities on the Northern Beaches, to helping children in need both in Australia and overseas.
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Dozens of volunteers over the last five decades have made the Group what it is today, but special mention should be given to a couple of key people:
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Bert Williams OAM, was a member, and later President of the Group, for close to 25 years until he passed away in 2001. He was a major driving force in the intial 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.
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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.
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If you are interested in well illustrated history of the Group, please email us on the Contact Page requesting "A History 1975 - 2010" written by Greg Ennis
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