With the rise of fast fashion and overconsumption, it's no mystery that society at large has difficulties with waste when it comes to fashion. Each Australian on average sends 23 kilograms of clothing to landfill and purchase 56 new items of clothing each and every year, placing Australia as the second largest consumer of textiles in the world. 

In an industry that relies on consumers latching on to the latest trends, repairing and upcycling old or damaged clothing can often fall to the wayside.  

To Community Development & Strategic Communications student, Linda Tammen, it simply wasn't good enough. An opportunity shone through to make a grass roots impact on the circular economy from within Murdoch University. 

Enter the Share & Repair Cafe - a free clothing repair service open to all students and staff held at the Guild Markets once a month. The goal of the Share & Repair Cafe is simple: extend the life of clothes and reduce waste going to landfill. 

Inspired by a repair cafe running at her local shopping centre, Linda developed the project as a part the Students as Change Agents program, which empowers students to propose, lead and implement a project designed to create positive change. The program is all about giving students the opportunity to learn a range of skills in a supportive environment.  

"Sustainability is often seen as something that is too scary, too hard, too late, or that we're all doomed. But it's not too late." 

Since launching at the end of Semester 1, Linda and the team of volunteers have repaired over 100 items of items of clothing, giving them a second chance at life.  

Program Coordinator, Sophie Moeinisam, has worked alongside Linda throughout the program, and has seen firsthand the passion Linda has for driving change. 

"Linda's project is more than just mending clothes, it’s about reshaping how we value sustainability, community, and student-led change at Murdoch University. Watching her lead with such purpose has been nothing short of inspiring.” 

Linda's hope is that she can take the learnings from her impact at Murdoch University and apply it to the wider world. 

With passionate and driven people like Linda leading change at every level, a brighter future is not only becoming possible but becoming a reality. 

Find out more about our Students as Change Agents program or pop by the Thursday Guild Markets to see the Share & Repair Cafe in full swing. 

Linda and so many others are building a brighter future in their own unique way. Meet more of our faces of a brighter future.