Sian Compassi is part of the the new at social enterprise cafe Sprout Hub Aurora, which is raising money for local community initiatives.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I live in Epping. I moved here in 2009 when I purchased my first home in the original Aurora estate.
What do you like about where you live?
I love the preservation of nature in the area, big trees that have been here as long as the old farmhouses and bluestones … the rosellas and kangaroos that my children love pointing out on our walks.
It has always felt like a country getaway for me as I grew up in Thornbury and spent so much time around the city. The cheeky city views near our home are a bit of a plus too.
What, if anything, would you change?
The area is wonderful, though I would be lying if I didn’t mention the traffic – it is definitely a buzzkill.
Growing up in the inner north, I really was missing the cliché hipster must-haves, such as brilliant coffee, networks of local creatives, mindfulness within local business and the overflowing community gardens.
Tell us about Sprout Hub.
Our catchphrase is: “A little place for a little while”.
We exist to bring establishing communities together in an environment that is influenced by our locals, and ever changing to meet their needs.
We serve great coffee (honestly, I’m a coffee snob, we make a mean brew) as well as providing a space for community events, meetings and meet-ups. We are a social enterprise cafe that donates 10 cents in every dollar to the Seedling Fund for local initiatives. Our space is small but our heart is big, and we look forward to meeting all of our locals, their children and pets over the journey.
What is your role at Sprout Hub?
I am what we call the hub host, which is basically a manager. I am truly enjoying connecting with the community and helping to build a space catering to their needs.
I’m a mother to three young children, with a hospitality and special education background and a huge love for all things creative.
I hope to use these parts of myself to create a meaningful place for our locals to get together and get to know one another.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I love to explore anything design-related, especially interior design and food styling. I have a big interest in the notion of food as medicine, I take music far too seriously for someone who has never been a musician … and I’m quite partial to watching a documentary.
Details: aurora.sprouthub.com.au
