Key Points
- Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello established Stepping Stone to provide hospitality skills to migrant and refugee women.
- Dozens of women from 20 different countries have so far benefited from the program and worked at two cafes in the ACT.
- The entrepreneurs, who ran an identical program in Colombia before the pandemic hit, were recently recognised with ‘Local Hero’ awards.
“I left Myanmar at 13 because it wasn’t safe, and we didn’t have food. It was very hard,” she said.
When Nan arrived in Australia a decade ago, she faced new challenges.
Nan learned about the project from her friend Cate, who volunteers with Canberra Refugee Support.
Women new to Australia find friendship and learn work skills through the Stepping Stone cafes in the ACT. Credit: Vanessa Brettel
With no previous experience working in a cafe, she started in September 2020, soon after the business was opened, and now she is head chef at the Strathnairn venue near Canberra.
Looking ahead, Nan has plans to start her own food business in the evenings.
How Stepping Stone started
Its aim was to provide employment and training to vulnerable young women, however, the COVID-19 pandemic meant they returned home earlier than planned.
“In the beginning, many of our employees felt very alone and isolated, but here they not only receive a salary, but also the opportunity to learn new skills and, above all, to connect with Australian society,” Brettell said.
Stepping Stone cafe staff. Credit: Vanessa Brettel
Their work led to them being recognised as the 2025 Australia’s Local Heroes of the Year on 26 January, after gaining the ACT level in November.
For every dollar earned, 64 cents go directly to funding employment and training programs.
Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello have been named ‘Local Heroes’ of Australia for their work with their social enterprise cafe. Source: Supplied / NADC / Salty Dingo
Colombia work
With very few exceptions, poverty rates among Afro-descendants and indigenous people are more than double those of the white population.
Founders of Stepping Stone Cafe in Cartagena, Colombia, with the young workers involved in the project. Credit: Vanessa Brettell
“Afro-descendants and indigenous people faced discrimination in being offered a job and were subjected to harmful stereotypes in an unequal society — something we were unaware of when we first arrived,” Brettell said.
Within three years, Stepping Stone employed 40 young people, and the impact was far beyond expectations.
“Fortunately, there are more services here in Australia to help them, but some of these women, due to their low levels of English, are unable to communicate properly with these services, making them feel very isolated.”
One of the Stepping Stone cafes in Canberra. Credit: Vanessa Brettell
Listen to the interview with Vanessa Brettel, by pressing the icon under the title.