43057093_2109356752431354_6210849041631150080_n

Farm learns beach safety

Recently a group of Compass trainees spent the day at Mooloolaba beach learning about beach safety. The trainees enjoyed the experience and definitely learned a lot that will help them be safe over the summer months in particular. A huge thank you to the Surf Lifesaving team of volunteers who guided them through the activities!!! Other teams from all the Compass centres will have the same opportunity in coming weeks…

READ MORE
3D0D6889-16BC-441F-A0F3-73032ACA8FD1

Palmwoods Town Centre Grand Opening

Compass was proud to play a small role in the opening of the new Palmwoods Piccabeen Green. A great example of collaboration between local Government and Community. Congratulations to Cr Jenny McKay as the key advocate of this place making project.

Congratulations also to Michelle & the Compass Farm Art trainees for the amazing hand made picnic blanket used in the ceremony.

READ MORE
img_7370

Sunny Club beneficiary dinner for Compass

Compass was proud to be a sponsor on Friday the 23 March at the Sunny Coast Club Dinner at the Maroochy RSL. The large crowd were entertained by Matt Wright – The Outback Wrangler – with tales from his adventures in the Australian bush as well as overseas.

We we’re also grateful to receive a cheque on the night for $1,800 as a beneficiary of the event. Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Daily for the opportunity. The next event will feature the amazing Cosentino so stay tuned for dates and make sure you get a table.

         

READ MORE
cricks-768x1024

Cricks Sunshine Coast continues their amazing support for Compass!

This morning I had breakfast with one of the most charitable and generous people on the Sunshine Coast – Matthew Murray. As so often happens, Matt kicked off by pushing a cheque across to me… on this occasion it was for $20,000.

By my estimate this takes the total he has donated to Compass over the past three years to $138,000… but that’s not all.

Every month Matt’s business – Cricks Sunshine Coast – buys specially prepared boxes of jams & chutneys made out on Compass Farm and puts a box in every new car they sell. The total of this support now exceeds $116,000!

And this doesn’t take into account the numerous Compass fundraising events he has sponsored…

I want to ask your help in applauding Matthew’s generosity… as a personal favour to me please like and share this post as widely as possible. Good news needs to be spread ?. Thank you!

David Dangerfield
CEO | Compass Institute
READ MORE
Fluro-Friday-1

Fluro Friday Jazzercise

A big thank you to Jazzercise Nambour & Cooroy for running the fundraiser for Compass and for putting on an excellent evening.

The trainees had such a wonderful time and really love opportunities like this to be included in mainstream activities such as this.

Looking forward to the next one!!

fluro Fluro Friday 2
READ MORE
img_5645-1024x768

Compass Connections Cafe 1st birthday 

Yesterday Compass Connections Cafe in Nambour celebrated their 1st birthday. Thanks to all the sponsors that helped make Connections the success it is today and the ongoing support from the team at Cricks Nambour.

18447136_1988334531396923_3313811421515211885_n
READ MORE
compass-connections-cafe-nambour-compass-institute

Compass Connections Cafe

Article by Elaine de Wet – Weekend Notes
All You Need Is Love
Compass Connections Cafe is an absolute gem of a find on the Sunshine Coast’s Cafe scene.
Birmingham Photography Group
This charming cafe in Nambour is an initiative of The Compass Institute Inc.* and is proudly supported by various businesses including Cricks Nambour. People with disabilities are given on-the-job training, skills development and flexible employment within the hospitality industry.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Welcome to The Compass Cafe – Image: Elaine de Wet
I first heard about Compass Connections Cafe through social media, where at least once a week, one of the trainees extends an invitation to the public to visit the cafe and enjoy the hospitality on offer.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Major sponsors – Image: Elaine de Wet
Presently, Compass Connections Cafe has nine trainees, working under the guidance of the Cafe Manager, Lynda. The majority of the cafe’s wait staff have a disability. The wait staffs’ on-the-job training includes greeting and seating customers, operating the cash register and making drinks, all with the ultimate goal to gain experience, knowledge and confidence and perhaps go on to work in other cafes.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Lynda and her staff on the day we visited – Image: Elaine de Wet
On the day we visited, we were fortunate to meet some of the staff (there are usually three trainees rostered on, on any given day) who were full of the joys of spring and bubbling over with enthusiasm to please. We were welcomed with open arms and made to feel that we were the most important people in the world.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

$10 Connection Deal – Image: Elaine de Wet
The Compass Connections Cafe has an extensive Menu with everything from an all-day breakfast to burgers and toasties – and, I must say, at very reasonable prices. They even boast a ‘$10 Connection Deal’, which includes a standard burger (beef or veggie) with chips plus a 390ml soft drink or a gourmet sausage roll, chips plus a 390ml soft drink – ideal for anybody passing through, looking for a munchie.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

‘Sweet Fix’ – Image: Elaine de Wet
For those (like hubby) with a sweet tooth, Compass Connections Cafe have a ‘Sweet Fix’including muffins, banana bread, house-made cake of the day and sweet-lovers slices (all made in-house).

Being lunch time, I ordered a small caesar salad and a skinny latte and hubby enjoyed a lemon slice with his coffee. The perfectly presented food was served promptly, with a cheery smile and showing attention to detail by remembering our names – adding another tick to the already-personalised service.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Caesar Salad and Lemon Slice – Images: Elaine de Wet
We enjoyed our meal amid chit-chat with Lynda and Renee (a trainee), who was very happy to entertain us with her absolute love of dancing. On completion of our meal, Renee presented me with my cardigan and even assisted me with putting said cardi back on again – true concierge service – and then proceeded to hug both hubby and myself as a thanks for visiting. As I said previously, we were truly made to feel very special.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Colourful indoor and outdoor seating – Images: Elaine de Wet
Compass Connections Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, free wi-fi, is dog-friendly, and has plenty of on-site parking. They’re very conveniently located on the Nambour-Connection Road and very close to the Nambour Showgrounds, so a perfect spot to stop off for a quick meal and a drink.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

Drinks Menu – Image: Elaine de Wet
I absolutely love these creative initiatives, proving that people with a disability can be mainstreamed into society and possess determination, enthusiasm and drive for long-term employment.

So, when out and about in the Nambour area, bookmark Compass Connections Cafe for a very special outing and some very special service – you’ll find it’s definitely worthy of repeat visits.

Compass Connections Cafe, Nambour, Compass Institute Inc., Cricks Nambour, people with disabilities get trained in hospitality, skills development, flexible employment, extensive well-priced menu, all-day breakfast, burgers, toasties, $10 Connection Deal, indoor seating, outdoor seating, dog friendly, parking, close to Nambour Showgrounds, worthy of a visit

All you need is love….and a whole lot of coffee! – Image: Elaine de Wet
The Compass Institute Inc.* is an award winning Sunshine Coast based charity dedicated to providing support for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Compass began in 1992 providing Alternative Education programmes to over seven thousand at-risk youth through local schools. In 2003, Compass followed its dream to open a post-secondary service for young people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. This was part of a long-held dream to dramatically change the philosophy behind this type of service from one of passive recreation to a pathway of lifelong learning, skills based training and vocational opportunities. Compass’ staff and young people are living proof that anything is possible where there is a vision, self-belief and a strong work ethic.

READ MORE

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

To find out all the latest news from the Compass team,
sign up to our newsletter.