Welcome Post Café

We are thrilled to announce the launch of The Welcome Post Café – an expansion of our ‘Creating Employment Pathways Program’ that began in early 2023 for clients of Wallara – a long-term Frankston RSL community partner of 12 years.

The program offers meaningful employment at the Frankston RSL to clients of Wallara, once they successfully graduate from Wallara’s Hospitality Training Program. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for Wallara clients to expand their workplace skills and for the Frankston RSL to provide them with a sense of purpose and an opportunity to exercise their independence.

While we were exploring ways to expand on the open employment and disability inclusion program, we were also looking for improved ways to support our Wednesday and Friday veteran coffee groups, that began with the vision of Committee Member and Wellbeing Advocate Tony Grice 16 years ago. The Coffee sessions were created to ensure that no veteran or family member would feel alone or disconnected and have been steadily growing into something far greater than anyone could have imagined. We regularly have 30+ in attendance at both sessions each week – where veterans turn up, not just for themselves, but for each other. The Coffee groups are a space where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and unconditional support is offered.

Most great ideas are born over a cup of coffee and a ching wang, and soon enough we came up with the idea of combining both initiatives into one, as both initiatives are deeply connected by a shared purpose: community, inclusion, and service. And that’s how ‘The Welcome Post Café’ was born.

We wanted to offer the veteran coffee session attendees a roomier and dedicated space at the club in CPs function room where both coffee sessions are now held, and we wanted to expand on our employment pathways program and offer a training ground for individuals with disabilities to build their skills in the hospitality industry. The Frankston RSL cross-functional work team – comprising of staff from People & Culture, Front-Of-House, Administration, and Functions has worked painstakingly to tailor make training tools and modules and designed new aprons that proudly blazon ‘The Welcome Post Café on the front’.

This café is more than a place to grab a coffee. It’s a living expression of what this community stands for. It’s a space where veterans are honoured, and individuals of all abilities are empowered. It’s where service continues, not in uniform, but in spirit.

WEEKLY COFFEE GROUP SESSIONS

Wednesdays 10.30am, in CPs

All veterans and their families are invited to Wednesday Coffee Sessions at the venue, 10.30am in CP’s.

Fridays 10.30am, in CPs

All veterans, of any service, era, age, or gender are invited to the Friday Coffee Sessions at 10.30 am in CP’s.