New café opening soon at West Gippsland Arts Centre

Distributed on behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council and Knoxbrooke.

Baw Baw Shire Council and Knoxbrooke are proud to announce Coffee Vibes, an all-abilities social enterprise café opening soon at West Gippsland Arts Centre.

From Monday 29 May, Coffee Vibes will operate Monday – Friday 8am-3pm serving delicious coffee and treats within a welcoming and fully accessible café space.

Operated by Knoxbrooke, a social enterprise and social support provider that offers people with disability the opportunity to gain valuable employment experience, all profits from Coffee Vibes will be reinvested back into their disability support workers, support groups, and many other social enterprise businesses.

Operating for 50 years, Knoxbrooke has a broad network of social enterprise businesses and services across Gippsland, including Warragul’s Vintage Vibes, Waratah Gardening and Jigsaw Industries, as well as Yarra View Bushland. They will bring their considerable experience and expertise to the operation of Coffee Vibes, their first social enterprise café in Baw Baw Shire.

Chief Executive Officer of the Knoxbrooke Group, Kristian Dauncey and Regional Manager for West Gippsland Claire Cutler recently picked up the keys to the space and are looking forward to opening for business.

“We can’t wait to get started,” says Mr Dauncey. “Coffee Vibes will offer meaningful employment and training to youth with disabilities in Baw Baw Shire as well as provide opportunities to upskill and empower them to enter mainstream employment.”

Community members are invited to come along to the grand opening set for Monday, 29 May. The forecourt will be abuzz with entertainment provided by DJ Nige with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30am. More details will be published on Council’s Facebook Page and West Gippsland Arts Centre’s Facebook page in the lead up to the grand opening.

In the weeks prior to 29 May, visitors to the Arts Centre may see the Coffee Vibes team at work, getting used to their new location behind closed doors ahead of the big opening.

Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe

“Coffee Vibes is a place for everyone. It’s a community space that welcomes and supports all members of our community. On behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council, it is an absolute pleasure to partner with Knoxbrooke to bring Coffee Vibes to West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Knoxbrooke’s commitment to provide employment, education and support to all people, aligns perfectly with our organisational values and commitment to serving all members of the community.

We invite all everyone to come along to the grand opening of Coffee Vibes on Monday, 29 May and welcome the new team.”

Quote attributable to Kristian Dauncey, Chief Executive Officer Knoxbrooke Group

“Coffee Vibes is all about providing opportunities for the Baw Baw community. We are excited to be working with Council to provide our very first social enterprise café in this beautiful and welcoming region.

Coffee Vibes will support the aspirations of people with disability and allow them the space to learn hospitality skills and the joy of serving members of the public.

We look forward to getting to know the locals and cannot wait to begin serving the Baw Baw community!”