Cann River has welcomed the official opening of Fern & Feather Café, a new community-owned training café designed to create local employment pathways and support community programs.
Located at the Cann River Community Centre, the cafe has been established to provide locals with a place to learn, gain confidence, develop workplace skills and take their first steps towards employment.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester joined Cann River Community Centre leaders and staff, State Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, East Gippsland Shire Council representatives, Cann River P-12 College students and local residents at the official opening.
Mr Chester said Fern & Feather Café was a community enterprise with a difference.
“The Fern & Feather Café is a terrific local initiative because it will not only provide a welcoming place for locals and visitors, but also practical training for people interested in the hospitality sector,” Mr Chester said.
“There are limited opportunities for young people to find pathways to employment when you live six hours from Melbourne, so the Cann River community has taken matters into its own hands and created something that will make a real difference.”
Cann River Community Centre Manager Tiffany Russell, who led the establishment of Fern & Feather Café, said the project started with a simple idea.
“In a small, remote community like ours, we need to create our own opportunities,” Ms Russell said.
“We know that living in a rural community can sometimes mean limited access to employment, training and education opportunities, particularly for our young people.
“We wanted to create something that would help change that. Through the café, we will be able to provide opportunities for barista training, food safety training and practical hospitality experience.
“We are also very excited about our partnership with Cann River P-12 College, creating opportunities for local students to gain real workplace experience while developing skills they can take with them into further education, employment and everyday life.”
The Cann River Community Centre’s vision for Fern & Feather Café was supported by investment from the Fire to Flourish Resilience Grant, Gippsland Community Foundation and Cann River P-12 College.
Ms Russell said the café belonged to the whole community.
“Every coffee we make, every meal we serve and every person we train contributes to something bigger,” she said.
“Any profits generated through the café will be reinvested back into our community, supporting employment and training, youth programs, arts and crafts, social gatherings, community events and other initiatives that help make Cann River a stronger and more connected place.”
