An Open Letter to our Walcha Coffee Community
To our friends, customers, and the wider Walcha Coffee family,
There are moments in life that make you stop, take a breath, and look back at how far you’ve come. Preparing the submissions for both the New England Region Awards and then the State Awards was one of those moments. It forced us to pause – to reflect on what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and where we’re headed. It reminded us of who we are and what’s important.
If you’re a small business and you’re considering entering the 2026 Business NSW Awards – just do it. It’s a great experience. It helps you rediscover your own story.
Winning Excellence in Micro Business NSW and Business of the Year NSW at the recent Business NSW State Awards was another of those moments. Not because of the titles themselves, but because of what they represent – years of late nights, early mornings, quiet perseverance, and a shared belief that something special could grow here in Walcha.
Only a few years ago, Walcha Coffee was just a dream in a small home kitchen. Roasting on what now seems like a “tiny” roaster, you roasted through the night, filling the house with the smell of beans and ambition, trying to keep up with the growing line of customers at the Walcha farmers market, and the many customers who began buying direct from you. No grand plans, just a simple idea – to create something real, something good, something that brought people together.
And here we are. A few years, countless cups, and many lessons later – still standing, still growing, still believing in that same simple idea.
Cameron, words will never quite do justice to what you’ve built. I’ve watched you carry this vision with quiet strength and unwavering heart. You’ve stood firm when it would have been easier to compromise, holding onto the values that define Walcha Coffee – honesty, community, and purpose. You’ve poured your life into this business, not chasing recognition, but meaning. You’ve shown all of us that success isn’t about getting ahead, it’s about doing good, staying kind, and never losing sight of why you started.
Your heart, your vision, and the way you lead – with humility, generosity, and conviction – are deeply infectious. They draw people close, inspire loyalty, and remind everyone around you that good business starts with good character, and that good business doesn’t need to shout to be heard.
We’ve always believed that business could be done differently. That choosing people over profit, integrity over ease, and purpose over popularity might seem backward to some – yet somehow, it always leads us forward. It’s a rhythm that doesn’t follow the world’s pace, but it’s the one that feels right. It’s quieter, slower, but deeper – and that’s where the real impact is found.
I’ve seen the moments that most don’t – the exhaustion, the uncertainty, the real struggles of small business and the small victories that barely made a sound. And I’ve seen the moments when you decided to pull your boots back on and chose to keep going anyway. That’s the real story here. That’s Walcha Coffee.
To Jazz: it’s been an absolute joy to watch your journey. From a young teenager still finding your place, to a confident, capable young man whose enthusiasm lights up every room. Your worth extends far beyond your work – though your roasting skill speaks for itself and you now operate the roaster like a boss! The way you engage people, the way you share the same warmth and spark as your dad – it’s something special. You represent the future of Walcha Coffee: authentic, passionate, and full of life.
To Careen: your faithfulness is quiet, but powerful. You are the steady hands that make sure every bag of coffee leaves this place in perfect condition. You show up – every time – with consistency, care, and pride. You don’t seek the spotlight, yet what you do is essential. You remind us that excellence doesn’t come from grand gestures, but from faithfulness in the little things.
To Kelly: thank you. For supporting Cameron in the way only a wife can. You’ve seen this journey through its rawest, most unfiltered lens. You’ve carried the weight of the unseen moments, the long nights, the strain, the emotion – and still chosen faithfulness and strength. You’ve journeyed this more than any of us, and your commitment has quietly held this all together.
To the Walcha Coffee team, both past and present – this is your victory too. Every cup served, every roast perfected, every order packed and delivered – it all carries your fingerprints. You’ve each played a part in turning a small-town dream into something extraordinary.
And to our community and customers… this is ours together! You’ve believed in us. You’ve encouraged us when we needed it most. You’ve shown up, again and again, reminding us that what we’re building is about more than coffee. It’s about connection, trust, and belonging.
Cameron, I’m deeply grateful to walk this road with you. You’ve changed how I see life and business. You’ve shown me that heart matters more than hustle, that integrity is worth the cost, and that true success is found in serving others well.
Walcha Coffee has always been, and always will be, about people. Real people. With stories, dreams, and purpose. That’s what makes this so special.
We’re far from done so here’s to what’s next! To the laughter, the lessons, the late nights, and the early mornings still to come. To community, to courage, and to coffee that carries heart.
With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for everything Walcha Coffee represents and has achieved thus far,
Nathan Keenan
Director of Operations
Walcha Coffee