Car Club for Women and Non Binary Folk (Two-day workshop)

Be guided through the fundamentals of buying, owning and maintaining a car by a trained mechanic.

People standing by a car

This two-day workshop, delivered by trained mechanic Petra Ohrt, will guide you through the fundamentals of buying, owning and maintaining a car.

With no prior knowledge or experience necessary, this workshop will demystify car engines and general operation, and introduce the important tricks and tools of the mechanics trade to encourage women and non-binary people to be more proactive in learning about, fixing and maintaining their own cars.

The workshop aims to provide a safe, supportive and encouraging environment to empower women and non-binary people to take more control over the things they use and value daily.

Each session combines theory, demonstration and hands-on practice. Over the two days, participants will be guided through a number of practical issues to identify common problems, with solutions that can be applied to most cars, vans and trucks. These are issues that all car owners or prospective drivers will face at some point in their driving life.

Participants will be able to:

  • Ask questions
  • Share experiences
  • Put their learning into practice in an intimate and supportive environment

Course details

Sat 18th Feb & Sat 25th Feb or
9.30am – 4.30pm

Sat 14th Oct & Sat 21st Oct
9.30am – 4.30pm

CERES Brunswick, corner of Roberts & Stewart Streets, Brunswick East, Victoria

$295*
Concession available

These sessions will run on consecutive Saturdays, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Day I: Tools, Basic Car Mechanics and Checks

1. Car “Talk”

  • How does an engine work?
  • How does a car “work”?

2. General tools and tools specifically for car maintenance and repair

  • Tools and car parts
  • Tool kit for the car (how to help yourself when something goes wrong)

3. Find, check, adjust and fix

  • Car interiors
  • Under the bonnet

Day II: Basic Car Maintenance and Breakdown Tips and Tricks

1. Car “Talk”

  • How does an engine work
  • How does a car “work”?

2. Assessing a car and car maintenance

  • Buying and selling cars (what to look for)
  • How to determine if a car is in ‘good condition”
  • How to look after a car

3. Breakdowns

  • What can go wrong?
  • What should you do when your car breaks down?

Petra Ohrt was born in a small village in Germany and grew up surrounded by mechanically minded and capable men. She learnt to drive tractors from a young age and apprenticed as a mechanic before studying mechanical engineering, coming to live in Australia in 2006. She is passionate about DIY mechanics and loves tinkering with and riding her bicycle and motorbike in her spare time. She also enjoys German books and film, crafting, yoga and furniture restoration.

Participants have said:
“The sessions provided a great mix of theoretical and practical learning in a comfortable and relaxed setting. The facilitator made no assumptions about prior knowledge and responded to the learning needs of the group. The sessions helped to increase my understanding of mechanics, functions, maintenance and safety, as well as increasing my confidence when interacting with sellers, buyers and mechanics staff.” – Claire

What will I learn?

  • How to demystify car engines and general operation

What will I take away?

  • Hands-on learning experience
  • Handouts
  • Confidence in buying and maintaining a car

What should I bring?

  • Notepad and writing materials

What should I wear?

  • Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

Anything else I should know?

  • While it is preferred that you attend both days, limited individual day tickets are available to book by selecting the day one or day two booking tab.

Terms and conditions

Our booking and refund policies, concession pricing information, FAQs, as well as other general terms and conditions can be viewed here.

Watch Petra Ohrt, trained mechanic and this workshop’s trainer, in this short video produced by ABC Australia.