Welcome to Martha, a social enterprise café with a mission to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in our community.
When you visit Martha Café you become part of a larger movement.
Every purchase you make directly contributes to our social justice initiatives, enabling us to expand our reach and support the community where they need it most.
Join us at Martha and experience the joy of social impact one sip at a time.
Martha offers more than good coffee and a bite to eat.
It’s a space where employment pathways and support intersect. We provide opportunities for those with barriers to employment to build their confidence and receive on-the-job training. We’re committed to supporting our staff to achieve formal qualifications and empowering them to enhance their career prospects in the hospitality industry.
Established in May 2022 as part of the CatholicCare Social Enterprise Program, Martha Café offers delicious coffee and food and can deliver catering to your office or private event.
Our Story
Established 2022
The Impact
Every purchase you make directly contributes to our social justice initiatives, enabling us to expand our reach and support the community where they need it most.
The Mission
To make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals in our community.
Our Team
John Du’Bery
John Du’Bery is the talented Head-Chef and the creative guru behind the delicious menu at Martha.
John loves working at Martha because it gives him an opportunity to share his expertise and pass the knowledge he has gained from 28 years in the industry with the trainees coming through the program. He also enjoys the variety of catering and cooking Martha produces, and “feeding lots of hungry mouths”.
John has watched the service grow week by week and is excited for what’s ahead for Martha.
When he’s not at work, you can find John sending time with his wife and three daughters, practicing karate, gardening or doing Yoga.
His recommendation: The Carrot Cake
Priscilla Scanlon
Priscilla Scanlon is our Social Enterprise Manager and has been working with Martha since the doors opened in 2022. She’s seen the café thrive and transform, including the expansion of services offered, with more to come, which Priscilla is excited about.
Before coming to CatholicCare, Priscilla worked in the financial sector and owned a gourmet food business that sold products like pates, panna cottas, and terrines at local markets throughout the Hunter.
Priscilla works at Martha because she is passionate about supporting others and is a “big foodie”.
“The opportunity to build a successful café and catering business has personally been a dream of mine for a long time,” she says. “To combine this with giving vulnerable young people the opportunity to change their lives through employment and a supportive environment is as good as it gets.”
Her recommendation: Coffee with a fresh muffin
Sally McAllister
Sally McAllister is our talented and dedicated Food, Beverage, and Function Coordinator. She’s been working for Martha since it opened and has loved seeing it become the thriving café it is today.
Sally has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years, 13 of which she managed a successful restaurant with her husband in Newcastle.
Her favourite thing about her role at Martha is seeing the trainees thrive as their confidence grows whilst working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Sally feels privileged to be part of our social enterprise where the focus is on training and mentoring staff while producing high-quality and delectable delights.
Her recommendation: The coffee is fantastic but stay and try something off our delicious lunch menu, made by our amazing trainees.