Summerfest Kids | Summerfest Cafe | Summerfest Nights | Summerfest Vortex
The Summerfest cafe will run each morning alongside the Summerfest Kids program. Come along and enjoy great coffee, tasty treats, fun and helpful pop-up talks and the space to sit and chat with friends and new people.
For parents attending the cafe, there is a daily program for little ones 18months+, please book in your child if they will be attending. Babies under 18months are welcome to hang in the cafe with mum!
What’s on at the Summerfest Cafe:
Monday
Story of Healing – Grant Wilson
Grant Wilson is a pastor who became a quadriplegic after a mountain biking accident in 2021. He will share about his injury and recovery journey, his faith, struggles and hopes.
Recovery – Melody Potter
Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Mel, an experienced social worker, as she shares what it’s like to walk alongside people in some of their most challenging—and most transformative—moments. This interview offers an honest, encouraging look at the heart of helping people heal and move forward.
Tuesday
Panel: Parenting in hindsight – Margie Cohen, Mary Wood, Sally Hamer
Join three experienced counsellors for a dynamic and practical conversation on some of the most important themes in modern parenting: setting healthy boundaries and meaningful consequences, supporting emotional regulation, cultivating self-care and self-regulation as caregivers, and preparing our children for a rapidly changing future.
Q&A – Margie Cohen, Mary Wood, Sally Hamer
Enjoy an extended time of Q&A with Margie, Mary and Sally as they unpack any questions you might have.
Wednesday
Live music – Isacc Henderson
Grab a coffee and enjoy some live music, finishing with original songs and a few reflections from Isaac.
Panel: What Makes A Great Dad – Greg Masters, Steve Meredith, Phil Heard
Hear a group of everyday dads as they think about what makes a “good dad” — from the wins they’re proud of to the mistakes they’d prefer their kids forget. It will be honest, real and relatable and a reminder that fatherhood isn’t about being perfect.
Thursday
The Words We Use: How your Language Shapes Your Child’s Relationship With Food – Alyssa Said
Simple ways to support a positive, lifelong relationship with food through everyday conversations.
Live music and interview – Dan Ford
From death metal to songs about Jesus, this interview tells the story of a musician whose coming to faith changed everything.
Friday
The Difference Jesus Makes – Jez Reynolds
We surveyed the Coast to ask what people are finding hard in life. Jez, one of the pastors at EV, will share what we discovered — and the hope-giving difference Jesus makes in our struggles.
From Seed to Supper: The Realities of Modern Homesteading – Elisabeth Blik
Thinking about growing your own food? This talk dives into the honest highs and lows of homesteading—especially when it comes to gardening veggies and herbs. We’ll look at what makes home-grown produce so rewarding, and what challenges (and surprises!) pop up along the way.