Troy, Crystal, Oliver and Michael
The verandah
New start for Noojee café & Post office NOOJEE’S POPULAR LITTLE RED DUCK CAFÉ IS NOW OPERATING UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AFTER BEING SOLD TO A LOCAL FAMILY. THE PROUD NEW OWNERS ARE CRYSTAL PETSCHACK, HER PARTNER TROY WAWRZIK AND HIS FATHER MICHAEL. Words & Photos By Wendy Morriss The contemporary café still with the same friendly, country atmosphere is close to the beautiful Latrobe River and not far from the iconic Trestle Bridge, Toorongo Falls and Mt Baw Baw snow fields.
On cold days, the café is heated by two wood fires. Fresh organic flowers placed around the venue are supplied by local flower grower Heather Gillespie and an exhibition of local art adorns the walls.
While the business has since been hit with lockdowns, Covid, a town flood, an earthquake and wild winds, it has survived the onslaught and re-emerged with a fabulous menu and lovely outdoor garden spaces ready for spring/summer dining, including an attractive fenced area that is safe for children.
Troy believes the café is well positioned because, he said, almost everyone comes to Noojee – cyclists, four-wheel drivers, walkers, bushmen, fishermen, skate boarders that go to the mountain, motor bike riders and others following various outdoor pursuits.
Patrons are served breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. They are offered perfectly brewed, locally roasted Silva coffee, quality teas, light meals and a variety of house-made cakes. Everything is made in-house from scratch including their popular homemade quiches, and their delicious gourmet pies and sausage rolls with many of the ingredients being locally sourced. The café is licenced and open every day from 8 am. The wonderful food is served both inside the café, outside in the gardens and under the verandah. A full take away menu is available as well. A range of local gourmet products are offered, and store items for locals and campers, including firewood and ice.
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“There are still some though that think because Noojee is in the bush, it’s a long way away, but we still have TV reception,” he said, smiling, “and we are just up the road.” Noojee is only 30 minutes from Warragul and Drouin and 1.5 hours from Melbourne. Prior to becoming the Little Red Duck Café, the business was known as The Red Parrot Café owned and operated by Narelle Telford and Brian Kennon, where for eight years, Crystal worked part time while attending secondary college and then university. “I worked every weekend and sometimes after school,” she said. “My first task was sweeping and mopping the floors and then over the years, I worked out how to do everything from making coffee to cooking meals.”
