THE ladies at the Cathedral Coffee Lounge epitomise the spirit of all volunteers, who will be honoured in the upcoming volunteers week.
Marjorie Williams has been running the lounge with her trusty team for over 13 years, transforming the downtrodden venture into a sustainable and close-knit business, providing food and drink for churchgoers and the public alike.
The coffee lounge operates in the precinct of St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, by and in support of the Catholic Women’s League.
The demand for volunteers is greater than ever, especially in a non-for-profit organisation like the CWL, who disperse all funds to the multiple charities they support.
“We are all volunteers, so they are essential to our organisation, particularly because most of our members and customers are in their seventies, eighties and nineties, and are unable to volunteer,” Mrs Williams said.
Mrs Williams and her close friend Beryl, worked as volunteers for more than 20 years at Holy Spirit Hospital, before taking the reins at the coffee lounge, but volunteers come from all walks of life and experience levels.
“Most of our staff are retired and have become involved by reading The Catholic Leader,” she said.
“We’ve had others who have simply walked in off the street looking to contribute.”
Despite the majority of volunteers coming from the retired community, the lounge has been home to a culturally, generationally and intellectually diverse group.
“We had an African gentlemen here who was educated as an interpreter, a lovely man looking for some work,” Mrs Williams said.
“He never sat down and always took the initiative. One day (an employer) called me as his reference, (and) I told them he’d be the first person I’d hire.”
School children and young travellers have also frequented the quaint establishment.
Charitable businesses, like the CWL coffee lounge simply can’t function without the dedication of volunteers.
Anyone who gets involved in the community may not benefit financially but certainly will grow as a person.
By Isaac Murphy
