The Whistle Stop Café is a community cafe at the Yarra Sport and Recreational Centre.

It is a friendly and welcoming meeting place - a place to enjoy a good cup of tea or coffee, a place to have a healthy snack, a place to stop and have a chat, a place to get some exercise (e.g. swim, ride a bike or just play board games).

The Café is solely run by a team of committed volunteers, who look forward to catering to the needs of patrons and spending time with those who are isolated and /or are experiencing memory loss or have other health concerns.

This community meeting space also provides a welcoming environment for carers to bring their loved ones who have dementia and also receive the support of peers and other community members. Yarra Junction Primary School students visit the Cafe on Tuesday mornings as part of an intergeneration program, sharing stories with the older patrons. Plus patrons have an opportunity to socialize with those utilizing the sport and recreational facilities at any given time.

Whistle Stop Café runs on the premise that becoming or staying involved in the community can open up opportunities and that staying in contact and connected with people in their local community prolongs good health for all.

The Café operates Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 12:20pm (except Thursday when we open from 10:30am to 1:30pm).

At which time the volunteers will make the various board games available to visitors upon request. If exercise isn’t possible, it’s still important to have an active mind, play Mah Jong, Chess, work on communal Jig Saw puzzles and play Scrabble; and or chat about the good old days with old and new friends for a few hours a week.

The Cafes  times are flexible, however let the volunteers know in advance and the Café may stay open longer.

For further information contact the Project Officer on (03) 5967 2648.