A new morning begins in the Melbourne CBD with the warbles of Magpies and the mechanical sounds of trains passing overhead.
Scott unzips his tent; a small shelter tucked away where he lives with his two chihuahuas curled up by his side for extra warmth.
He’s lived in Melbourne for 21 years, having come from New Zealand a long time ago. After getting caught in a legal loophole that left him ineligible for benefits, and then came a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
It’s been a decade since the Magpie Nest Cafe has been an integral part of his daily routine and what brings him into the Cafe is simple. It’s a place to eat, somewhere secure and supportive.
He knows he’ll be welcomed every visit.
A NEST FOR ALL | Learn more about the Cafe here.
Living in a tent means every day starts with more practical considerations, like the weather, safety and what he needs to carry on him. But it also means every day starts with a purpose - making his way to the Cafe for a bite to eat.
The walk from his campsite to the Magpie Nest Cafe located at 69 Bourke Street is a route he knows too well.
Over the years, he’s watched the seasons change, the building’s get taller, the population grow, and the Cafe evolve into what it has become today. Especially the showers, which have seen a major upgrade since he first began visiting and one of the facilities he relies on most.
By the time Scott arrives, the Cafe is alive.
The smell of coffee and breakfast drifts through the air, volunteers greet people by name, and the warmth is a stark contrast to the uncertainty outside.
He takes a seat in front of the ‘Side by Side’ wall and chooses his breakfast – a bowl of Kellogg's Coco Pops, porridge and Vegemite on a slice of toast. It’s a simple act, but one that allows him to sit back and relax for a while.
Across the room, another story is unfolding.
Michelle arrives mid‑morning and takes a seat with some familiar faces.
She isn’t a regular in the same way Scott is, but the cafe has become a safe place for her every now and then too.
Michelle grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs and first visited the Cafe over a year and a half ago, struggling to keep up with increasing cost of living. During this time, she’s made friends, found support and discovered a sense of belonging.
Today, she’s here for a specific reason - to meet with the NDIS team.
The Magpie Nest Cafe’s model is unique because a meal is the gateway to access other wrap around support services.
It’s a small network where people in need can visit vital health services, receive essential amenities, clothing, shoes or blankets, legal support and more.
For Michelle, the social interaction with friendly faces matters to her the most. She says she takes each day as it comes and hopes for the best in unpredictable times.
At the Magpie Nest Cafe, stories like Scott’s and Michelle’s overlap.
Some people visit daily and some only when they need a meal, a shower or a conversation. Some come for an eye test, others to line up for a coffee.
But all of them come because the Cafe offers something rare: a place where they are both seen and heard.
After breakfast, Scott moves on with his day and returns to his tent to take care of his dogs.
Michelle finishes her visit with the NDIS team and heads out too.
A meal can’t solve everything, but it offers stability, dignity and a moment of relief in the lives of hundreds of people like Scott and Michelle every day.
Meals That Make A Difference
Run by Project 614 and supported by the Collingwood Football Club, the Magpie Nest Cafe is the first point of call for many people in Melbourne experiencing homelessness or hardship. It offers free breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as wraparound services to people from all walks of life.
The work of the cafe wouldn’t be possible without Coles, the Proud Program Partner of the Magpie Nest Cafe, and the support of LiveLife Alarms and Alinta Energy whose contributions ensure the doors stay open and plates stay full all year round.
Pies’ Kitchen
As a thank you, every donation during Magpie Nest Week will receive an exclusive downloadable recipe booklet, featuring dishes from our Collingwood athletes, inspired by the Magpie Nest Cafe.
