We’re getting the band back together, baby!
The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s Sea Breeze Café will reopen on Monday (June 8) after being closed since March.
Foundation CEO Tony Williamson was ecstatic that the very long-serving café would reopen.
“During that time our other café DCafe has still been open, but it’s great to reopen Sea Breeze as the hospital becomes busier and we can provide this service to staff,” Mr Williamson said.
“We’re working with the hospital very closely with a view to slowly getting our business back to normal.
“So, we’re going to start slowly and gradually increase as the hospital becomes busier.
“The cafes absolutely underpin everything that we do at the Foundation.
“As well as providing great, freshly made food and beverages by our chefs and other staff, profits from these businesses pay all the Foundation staff wages and expenses.
“It’s a really amazing business model and it works incredibly well, because it means every cent donated really goes where the donor wants it to.
“That’s pretty rare in the non-profit sector.”
Sea Breeze Café is one of the oldest eateries in Cairns, having been an iconic part of Cairns Hospital for 81 years.
The hospital kiosk was first suggested in 1939 and the then hospital board borrowed 200 pounds, offering the job initially to Eddie Svendsen who ran it from a wooden caravan on wheels.
It has been part of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation since 2002.
Sea Breeze will be open 7.30am-2pm Monday-Friday and 8.30am-3pm weekends.
Photo: Foundation CEO Tony Williamson helps out gurneying Sea Breeze Cafe in preparation for Monday's reopening.
