Gearing Up with Wyndham schools for a Healthier, More Connected Community
Lou, one of our Shed’s resident bike experts, has been busy delivering Gear Up, the School Bike Fix Program. This hands-on initiative is helping young people learn practical mechanical skills while building confidence and connection, with support from VicHealth’s Growing Healthy Communities funding.
In partnership with local schools and Dianne Johnson from Wyndham City Council’s Transport & Sustainability team, Gear Up has now reached more than six schools across Wyndham, including Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College, Werribee Primary, Wyndham Central College, and Stella Maris Catholic Primary in Point Cook. Each group of students spends five weeks learning to service, repair, and restore donated bikes — and at the end of the program, they can choose what happens with the bike they’ve helped bring back to life.
The program’s success has been more than just learning mechanical skills. It has sparked new friendships, strengthened ties between schools and community organisations, and helped students discover new confidence through teamwork and hands-on learning.
Bikes are just the beginning. Behind each one repaired is a student’s journey of skill development, social inclusion, and the joy of giving something a second life. Many of the bikes are recycled through community donations, helping reduce waste while promoting active lifestyles.
Gear Up continues to grow, with new schools already lining up to take part in Term 4. For Shed Manager Dan, it’s proof that a shed, a few bikes, and passionate people and volunteers can make a real difference.
“You can see the pride on the students’ faces when they finish. They’re not just learning how to fix a bike — they’re learning that they can fix things, full stop.”
Gear Up is paving the way for a more connected, active, and sustainable Wyndham — one repaired bike at a time.
