Tatura, Victoria
Tatura’s newest coffee hub is almost ready to open. Lattes, macchiatos and cappuccinos will be brewed, tested and critiqued as part of the Tatura Community House’s vocational training due to start in Term 2.
In what has grown into an extraordinary community collaboration the Community House will offer barista training to try and enhance employment opportunities for people in the small Victorian town of 4700 people.
The coffee machine (pictured with Daniel who is enrolled in the class) was purchased with support from the John Wallis Foundation, the local Men’s Shed made a counter and the local Opportunity shop provided the retro furniture and fittings to create a ‘coffee hub’ that will be used in the barista training and beyond.
Community house manager Leeane Button said International Women’s Day was celebrated at the House with a ‘100 Years of Marriage’ – a fashion parade of 27 local wedding dresses dating back to 1914. Of course, coffee was on the menu!
“There are a lot of coffee shops not just in Tatura, but in the surrounding areas and opportunities for people to gain work. It’s great to be able to offer a course that will result in people being job ready,” Leeane said.
While the furniture, flooring and machinery is in place, the Community House is just waiting on a grant outcome to go ahead and order the benches.
“It is looking fantastic and we know that a lot of people are really keen to begin the classes. Some of the people have already done vocational training here at the House and see the barista course as a great opportunity to find work,” Leeane said.