Cunnamulla students reap rewards from Coffee Cups 2 Go
Students from a small outback town in Queensland have tapped into Australians’ enjoyment of coffee with the launch of an innovative social enterprise.
Everyone knows how hard it is to juggle several cups of take away coffee. The high school students at Cunnamulla P-12 State School have come up with a practical and sustainable solution - wooden coffee cup carriers.
They’ve been helped along the way by the Mentoring Matters / Cunnamulla LDAT which has funded the initiative, aimed at teaching life enhancing, real-world skills, and building student pride.
Nestled in Queensland’s South West, Cunnamulla is home to around 1,200 people who have a strong connection to country. More than 85 per cent of the school’s 124 students identify as Aboriginal and live in diverse family units with often changing living arrangements.
Suzanne Eustace-Earle, Program Coordinator for the Hope Program at the South West Hospital and Health Service said that the Coffee Cups 2 Go project is a tremendous success.
A hands-on approach
“Students can sometimes have large attendance gaps which disrupt learning. This, combined with the limited resources and employment opportunities common in remote regions, affects young people’s self-worth and self-esteem and perpetuates risky behaviours and youth disengagement.”
“The school, in an attempt to help students to learn in a different way, approached the HOPE program to see if we could think of anything that might fit the bill.”
“The coffee cup carriers are both designed and made by the students during their lessons at school. They also learnt about graphic design and marketing which enabled them to produce brochures and use social media to advertise their products.”
“Because the students were so involved and enthusiastic, we were able to get parents’ support and with that came support from the community,” added Susan.
Opening up job possibilities
One of the most important outcomes of the Coffee Cups 2 Go initiative has been as a pathway to employment for young people. This is impactful as the region has the highest rates of youth unemployment in Australia.
While an outbreak of COVID during Term 2 postponed the project’s launch, it became part of the students’ learning experience in how to solve problems. The gala event saw many students taking turns at working the stalls, telling people about the project and selling many of their wares.
Now sold under the Gundoo Gifts brand, the handmade product range includes not only coffee cup holders but resin pens, coasters, bread boards and picnic tables.
Susan thanked Ashlee Adams-Smith, Senior Community Development Officer at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, whose support was invaluable in providing advice to the LDAT about the scoping of the project.
Project outcomes
Surveys showed all students involved in the project increased their knowledge base, professional development, self-confidence, cultural knowledge and connection to the community.
Susan remarked that the program has seen improved behaviour at school, home and in the community.
“I think that the greatest legacy is that the program will now live on driven by the school and the students.”
The coffee cups carriers are sold in regional cafes and at the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Centre. Sales proceeds go straight back to their school for future projects.
Project partners are Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health, Paroo Shire Council, Cunnamulla P-12 State School, Deadly Choices, Queensland Police Service and RESQ, a local employment service.