Who is Illawarra's greatest upcycler? Reviva comp will decide

Calling creative upcyclers! Turn trash into treasure and enter Reviva’s annual Reviva Reuse Competition. There are cash prizes up for grabs – but be quick as entries close on November 15. 

“This competition is the highlight of our year because it showcases the incredible ideas and talents in our community," says Samantha Nixon, manager of Illawarra’s Reviva Reuse Shop at Dunmore’s Waste Management Centre.

"We often have customers chat with us about their upcycling projects, and we know that they will be eager to enter and win the competition.”

Past entries have featured everything from repurposed computer parts to intricate mosaic art made from broken tiles, and even mud kitchens made from upcycled materials. This year there is a national prize of a $300 Visa card, as well as a $200 Visa card for the local winner. 

Last year’s local winner, Fiona Jordan from Unanderra, created a stunning outdoor room from upcycled materials, including doors and plantation shutters that she collected from Reviva over six years.

Decorated in neutrals to create a calming atmosphere, the outdoor room has proved to be their winter happy place.  Fiona often uses it as a yoga room or as a comfy spot for a cuppa when friends drop round. A day bed and an egg chair are the perfect spots to curl up for a good read or a snooze.

“I wanted a warm winter space with plenty of sunlight where I could sit and chill out,” says Fiona.

“Napping is probably my favourite thing to do in the space.” 

Fiona and her husband have separated their backyard into different spaces and – while their winning outdoor room now has a new spa – almost everything else came second-hand, with sources including Reviva, op shops, Facebook marketplace, and a surprise find in their own yard.

“We dug up our backyard and found pavers we were able to repurpose for the floor," Fiona says.

Fiona started upcycling after she and her husband bought their current home 24 years ago. “We didn’t have much money left for new furniture and we actually prefer the charm of upcycled items as they have a unique character and personality,” she says. 

She's found Reviva Dunmore a great place to browse as it is covered and protected from the weather.

“It offers such a wide range of items it is definitely our go-to spot where we like to head first," Fiona says.

“I have just been there – collecting lamps, rugs and tables to transform my daughter’s garage into a more usable space.”

Visit http://www.resourcerecovery.org.au/competition – entries close on Saturday, 15 November.

Visit Reviva Dunmore at 44 Buckleys Rd, Dunmore, phone 4237 5193.