Walk into Warrigal Bundanoon on a café day and you’ll feel it straight away, the buzz. Residents, families, friends and staff gather over tea, coffee and home-baked treats, with plenty of smiles and conversation to go around. 

The Warrigal Bundanoon Café opened its doors on Wednesday 4 November 2015 thanks to a simple idea from sisters Janice and Helen, who were supporting their uncle’s move into aged care. They offered to find a few volunteers to run a café … and a decade later, that small gesture has grown into a much-loved community hub. 

From four volunteers on day one to a roster of nine today (with two originals still serving!), the Café has become a steady presence through the years, even navigating the stop-start of COVID-19 with care. Prices remain intentionally low, and yet the Café has raised a significant amount of funds that go straight back to enhancing life for residents and supporting staff. 

What the Café has funded (a selection): 

• Pressure-relief chairs, mobility aids and a high-pressure mattress 

• An electric bingo machine, indoor bowls carpet and digital/reminder clocks 

• A boiling water unit for the community rooms kitchen 

• A substantial contribution to the residents’ kitchen in the Dementia Unit 

• Outdoor seating, including a garden bench and dining setting 

• A walker/rollator designed for people living with Parkinson’s (a recent favourite in the Wellness Centre) 

• A commercial dishwasher for the Café (installed free of charge by Aquafix Plumbing) 

When to visit 

• Wednesdays: 10:00-11:30am (morning tea) 

• Fridays: 10:00am-1:00pm (morning tea and light lunch) 

The Café is run entirely by volunteers who also supply the goodies on their rostered day. If you love a friendly chat, enjoy baking (optional!) or simply want to be part of something that makes a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. 

All are welcome at Bundanoon’s Warrigal Care Café – come for a cuppa, stay for the community.
 

To express interest in volunteering, please contact the Warrigal Bundanoon team by emailing volunteering@warrigal.com.au  

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Story provided with thanks to Janice, Warrigal Bundanoon volunteer.