Coffee on Kareela may be unassuming from the outside, but within its walls something powerful is brewing. And at the heart of it all is Liz Wilson, the quietly determined woman who has spent the past 17 years turning coffee into connection and kindness into action.
The cafe began as an outreach initiative of St Luke’s Anglican Church, born from a simple question: how can we create a place where everyone feels welcome? Under Liz’s leadership, the objective was evident: to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals are not judged and everyone feels a sense of belonging. Regardless of your background or challenges, you’ll find friendly faces, affordable food, and a welcoming community.
This year, Coffee on Kareela faced its biggest hurdle when a new lease and proposed rent increase set for July 1 put the cafe’s future in jeopardy. But Liz did not blink; she reached out to the community and it came through. Donations, offers of help and heartfelt messages flooded in, saving the cafe from closure. “We were blown away. It was a powerful reminder that people believe in what this space offers. They want to keep it alive.”
And it’s not hard to see why. Coffee on Kareela offers more than just Fairtrade coffee and toasties. There’s soul-warming homemade soup, milkshakes, gluten-free options, and frozen take-home meals. But food is just the beginning. Prices are intentionally kept low, not because the quality is lacking but because Liz knows that accessibility matters. Here, generosity isn’t an added extra; it’s baked in.
Young families stop in to let their kids play. Seniors come for a cuppa and a chat. People doing it tough find a hot meal and someone who listens. Volunteers aren’t just making coffees; they’re offering warmth, respect, and a moment of human kindness.
Fridays are especially magical, with free live music turning the cafe into a vibrant, joy-filled hub. There is a toddler play area, a cosy library nook, and a peaceful veggie garden outside. Even the walls speak of care, lined with brochures offering information on local services and support. Every detail says “You belong here”.
But ask anyone what keeps them coming back and it won’t be the food or the music. It’s the feeling. The atmosphere is open, welcoming and unhurried. It’s a place where conversations matter, where people are seen. “Sometimes the most important thing we offer isn’t the coffee,” Liz said. “It’s a conversation.”
Liz doesn’t chase attention or accolades. Her joy as manager comes when someone who once walked through the door in need later returns as a volunteer, empowered and with a renewed sense of purpose.
In a world that often feels disconnected, Coffee on Kareela is a powerful reminder of what really matters. That community doesn’t require grand gestures, just a willingness to show up, listen, and care.
Thanks to Liz, her team of volunteers and the community that rallied behind her, the cafe is still here: still brewing, still building something beautiful.
So next time your cup or your heart needs a little filling, head to Kareela Road. You’ll find more than coffee; you’ll find community – and maybe even a small spark of hope.
Coffee on Kareela, at 53 Kareela Road, Frankston, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.00am-2.00pm and Saturday from 9.30am-noon. If you want to volunteer or support the cafe, phone Liz on 0401 523 875 or email liz@wilcom.net.au
