Volunteer-run garage helps Tailem Bend motor into the festive season
When they’re not getting set for the town’s Christmas parade, they’re restoring cars and supporting locals.
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The Revival City Church Car Garage in Tailem Bend is revving into the festive season with community spirit and a growing list of achievements.
While preparing vehicles and displays for the upcoming Tailem Bend Christmas Parade, the volunteer-run workshop continues its charity work: restoring cars, supporting locals, and giving people hands-on mechanical experience.
A recent sale of one of their restored cars has enabled the group to expand its workshop with three key pieces of equipment: a bead roller, a shrinker and stretcher, and an English wheeling machine.
These tools will boost the garage’s growing capacity for panel beating and classic car restoration, strengthening a program that already supports dozens of community members.
One of their most heart-warming successes is the assistance given to Murray Bridge resident Suzanne McKenzie.
Her small, three-cylinder Suzuki had been off the road for years, but with the help of the Revival City Church team, it is now just weeks away from historic registration.
Volunteers have tackled mechanical issues, tidied up the bodywork, and are even helping source the new tyres needed to complete the job.
For Ms McKenzie, it’s been life-changing support.
“I am so excited – words cannot explain how I’m feeling at the moment,” she said.
“Having my little car operational again will give me so much freedom.”
At the garage are Timothy Minchan, Kerry Haythorpe, Brenton Qualmann, Josh Qualmann with Maisie, Andrew Holliday and Paul Kumnick. Photos: Glenn Power.
The workshop continues to grow as more people discover its welcoming atmosphere and skills-sharing culture.
Anyone interested in learning mechanical skills, panel beating, or simply joining a positive community project is encouraged to contact workshop coordinator Michael Holliday on 0403 271 781 for more information.
At Tailem Bend, this small garage proves that great things can happen when people come together with purpose, passion, and generosity.
