Coffee, culture and careers come together at Brisbane's award-winning Murri School, where a new student-run café is serving up much more than a good flat white
There's something special brewing at Brisbane's Murri School, and while the coffee is good, it's the confidence, leadership and future career opportunities being served up that are making the biggest difference.
Meet Cuppaderlah, a student-run coffee cart at the Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School (The Murri School) in Acacia Ridge, made possible through Queensland Country Bank's Good for Good Community Grants program. This is no ordinary school coffee cart. Complete with an EFTPOS machine, operational checklists, stock management, customer orders and its own loyalty cards, Cuppaderlah operates like a real café, giving students from Years 7 to 12 the opportunity to develop practical hospitality skills while learning what it takes to run a business.
Two Year 12 students lead the day-to-day operations, mentoring younger students, managing shifts and helping deliver an authentic customer experience to teachers, families, local tradespeople, university students and members of the wider community. For a school celebrating 40 years of Indigenous-led education in 2026, and recognised nationally through the 2026 NAIDOC Education Awards, the initiative is another example of its commitment to preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.
The program is overseen by Vocational Education and Training Coordinator Samantha Daragnes, who said the coffee cart was already proving to be a powerful learning experience.
"Our students excel when they're learning practical skills and can actually see themselves in a real-life workplace," Ms Daragnes said. "The coffee cart gives them that experience in a safe, nurturing environment where we can support each student individually, wherever they are in their learning journey."
"They're learning barista skills, cash handling and customer service, but they're also learning how to problem-solve, manage their time, work as a team, handle stressful situations and communicate confidently with people. Importantly, they're developing a sense of belonging, self-awareness and confidence in their own abilities. Those are skills they can take into any workplace and into life."
Students studying Certificate II in Hospitality also have the opportunity to complete practical components of their qualification through the program, while additional students are being recruited as the current Year 12 leaders prepare to graduate.
Cuppaderlah is also deeply connected to the school's identity and culture.
The name was created by the school community and its distinctive artwork, by respected community member Aunty Samantha Bond. The art reflects the school's guiding principle: Our Children, Our Culture, Our Future.
"That principle is at the heart of everything we're doing," Ms Daragnes said. "This program engages our children, embeds our culture through the Cuppaderlah name and Aunty Samantha's artwork, and focuses on their achievements and preparation for the future. The students are discovering there is so much more to running a café than making coffee. They're learning about stocktakes, managing money, ordering supplies and taking the initiative to keep a business operating. It's giving them exposure to a working environment and business responsibilities they may not otherwise have experienced."
Already, Cuppaderlah has become a familiar presence at school and community events, including the Acacia Ridge NAIDOC celebrations, health expos, International Women's Day and the upcoming Modern Ochre Art Exhibition 2026.
Ms Daragnes said receiving the Queensland Country Bank grant had allowed the school to realise a long-held ambition and create something even bigger than originally imagined.
"Having our own coffee cart has been a goal for The Murri School for a long time, and we are incredibly grateful to Queensland Country Bank for helping make it happen," she said. "We've been able to create something even bigger than our original vision, something that brings our community together while giving students meaningful opportunities outside the classroom.
"We like to think our students will be one step ahead when they enter the workforce because of the experience they're gaining here and we're already seeing students develop the leadership and capability to successfully transition into employment outside school, and that is incredibly rewarding."
Queensland Country Bank Chief Executive Officer Aaron Newman said the initiative demonstrated how community funding could create lasting opportunities for young Queenslanders.
"There's something wonderful about a project that brings together education, culture, community and real employment skills, all through something as simple as a cup of coffee," Mr Newman said. "Cuppaderlah is giving young people the confidence to step forward, take responsibility, develop new skills and see what they're capable of achieving."
"What particularly impresses me is that the students aren't simply learning how to make coffee, they're learning how to operate a business, work with customers, support one another and prepare for their futures."
"As a customer-owned bank, we believe investing in our communities means investing in their future, and there's no better place to start than with young people. We're proud that our Good for Good Community Grants program has helped The Murri School turn a long-held ambition into something tangible, meaningful and sustainable."
The school plans to reinvest proceeds from the coffee cart into its ongoing operation and future vocational learning opportunities, ensuring Cuppaderlah continues to benefit students for years to come.
Queensland Country Bank's Good for Good Community Grants program has supported Queensland community organisations for more than 20 years, with the latest funding round supporting 16 projects across the state with more than $220,000 in grants.
ABOUT Queensland Country Bank - serving communities for 55 years
For 55 years, Queensland Country Bank has been a customer-owned bank, starting in 1971 in Mount Isa. The Bank offers a uniquely enriching banking experience by integrating exceptional customer service with deep community engagement and supports over 120,000 Members, employs over 400 Queenslanders, and has given back over $3 million to local communities through its Community Good for Good grants program since 2005. The team at Queensland Country Bank prioritises simplicity, speed, and personalisation in their services, supported by digital tools and knowledgeable staff across a 29-branch network across the state. For over half a century, the Bank has proudly invested in the regions it serves, offering a combination of financial expertise and unwavering support for local development.
