Making wonderful connections in the café
by Greg Martin
Octogenarians , Edna and Jack Drake , relocated to North Richmond from their long-time Karuah home in March last year to be closer to their three children and eight grandchildren .
Friendly souls , they found it hard to make new acquaintances for a variety of reasons , mainly the COVID pandemic .
But all that changed on March 15 , when they heard North Richmond Community Centre was commencing yet another worthwhile program – Café Connections .
The centre ’ s delightful manager , Birgit Walter , said the program was instigated to give locals who have been isolated socially in recent years to get back into the hang of socialising .
A pop-up cafe – outside and undercover at the centre for COVID safety – operates from 10am-noon each Wednesday and has proved to be an outstanding success .
“ We offer free coffee and tea , cookies and the opportunity for those attending to converse with friends , old and new ,” Birgit explained .
Jack and Edna Drake are “ over the moon ” with the concept .
“ Being here is like being enveloped with a big hug ,” Edna said .
“ Everyone has been so welcoming , and it really has been a godsend in aiding Edna and I becoming members of the North Richmond community ,” Jack added .
Your writer and photographer , Kathryn Johnston , were also made welcome when
Reconnecting socially through the North Richmond Community Centre ’ s innovative Café Connections program is this happy lot . Café Connections is organised by manager Birgit Walter ( centre , rear ) and volunteers . Photo : Kathryn Johnston .
we popped into the pop-up café to suss out the innovative concept .
We had the opportunity to meet friendly “ customers ”, Birgit and centre volunteers who plied us with coffee and mouth-watering bikkies .
A wonderful atmosphere has been generated in Café Connections and all involved are to be congratulated .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 144 // MAY 2022 15