REDFERN: The Tin Humpy in Redfern Street is a vibrant and inclusive café, known for its distinctive Strawberry & Bush Lime Jam, Wattle-Seed Brownies and Lemon Myrtle Cheesecake. The coffee is delicious too.
Over the last two years, café owner Yvette Lever has built a successful business on passion and firm principles – community service, creativity and hospitality. “I always enjoy meeting people,” Ms Lever says, recalling community Elders, local football stars, American tourists and Koori Radio presenters. “Koori Radio broadcast live from the café for the Yabun Festival.
“The Governor, Margaret Beazley, came to visit last year. And actor Luke Carroll drops by sometimes. It’s always good to welcome young people, too – we have a space out the back for gatherings and meetings. Kids know they can come here for a meal.”
The Tin Humpy is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm. Breakfast and lunch menu favourites include the Tin Humpy Omelette with Indigenous herbs and the Old School Bacon & Egg Roll.
The café will soon open for pre-dinner platters, fine wine and locally brewed beer. “We imagine a relaxed vibe, from 4 till 9pm, somewhere to meet friends before going out,” Ms Lever says.
Another exciting project sees the completion of a mural outside the café on Renwick Street. “The artist, Danny Eastwood, has done a brilliant job. It’s taken about two weeks to finish it – a bush scene with traditional figures, black cockatoos, kangaroos and eucalypts.”
Danny Eastwood is a Ngemba-Kamilaroi artist, cartoonist and teacher. As well as creating murals for various councils throughout the city, and being one of the official artists of the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Mr Eastwood was the recipient of the 2008 Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize.
Ms Lever is grateful to regular customers, and to co-workers who help make the Tin Humpy a warm and welcoming place – barista Elsy and assistant chef Shun, and niece Eva Munro who is learning the business of café management.
