Built in 1908, 55 Buckenbah Street, Geurie, was initially the Sarquins General Store.
In 1909 Madam Montague moved her café, fruit and confectionary business into the shop. She operated as a café and refreshment rooms until 1914.
From 1914 the premises were taken over by M Cornwall, who also acquired the agency for Bennett and Wood bicycles.
Subsequent operators of the café were the Rougalls, and Miss Ethel Darling.
In 1924 Alf Noldt, blacksmith, moved to a building at the rear of the café.
In the late 1920s the café was taken over by Mr and Mrs Campbell.
In 1938 it was bought by George Kaloutsis and operated by his family until 1962.
From 1962, it was Costello’s Café, and then the Geurie Nursery, operated by George Freeman and Jim Dimond.
In the 1990s while trading as Alladin's Cave the premises were restored whilst the building was owned by William & Jennifer Gordon.
The verandah was replaced under the supervision of Wellington Council Heritage Advisor, with a grant from the Wellington Council Community Heritage Grants Program.
On 20 October 2000, the Gordon’s sold the property to Adam and Catherine Foley.
From 2000 until 2011, the Geurie Heritage Garden Cafe and Antique Store operated.
From late 2013 heralded a new chapter, with artist and solicitor, Matilda Julian painting the exterior and opening a coffee shop called ‘Bliss and Friends’.
Pictured here with Mads Allen and Beau Beggs - Matilda Julian is often acknowledged as instigating the revitalisation of modern Geurie.
Words from the Little River Guide >
“Matilda is a celebrated artist who takes pride in not celebrating herself (Luckily we do it for her). Local folk law in her hometown of Geurie tells of a commitment to community, her infectious laugh and an ability to manifest ideas in her sleep! There is nothing Matilda and her trusty sidekick, Banjo the rescue dog, won’t try - at least once. Her Geurie farmhouse [was] famous for long philosophising afternoons of tea drinking, and provides the backdrop to many of her landscape paintings.”
2017 saw the arrival of Alice Mary Designs.
Whilst Matilda lit the fire in the belly of Geurie, it was Alice Mitchell (nee McLeish), who was a constant source of inspiration and retail therapy for local Geurie-ites. In the early start-up stage, Alice was supported by many locals, amongst those being Cate Whiteley.
Alice operated her recycled / pre-loved home designs retail shop from 2017 and relocated to Wellington in November 2023.
2018 saw another entrepreneurial Whiteley open the cafe doors - this time Boo!
Boo & Crew provided locally sourced and lovingly prepared drinks and bites. We knew Geurie was changing when fresh Komucha hit the menu in late 2018…!
Another local lawyer Amy French (nee Mawbey), launched French Press Cafe in 2021.
Black & white tablecloths, great coffee and the best sourdough toasted sandwiches, Amy French launched the French Press Cafe in late 2021.
By August 2022, French relocated out of the district, and sold her cafe business to her employee Britt Denniss, a local Geurie Gal.
The arrival of Buckenbah Collective Pty Ltd
April 2022 saw the Foley family list 55 Buckenbah Street, Geurie for sale. By June 2022, Eliza Whiteley and Claire Booth (nee Osborn) joined forces to convert potential into reality.
Using equity from Claire & her husband Brendan’s local Geurie farm + cash savings of Eliza & Claire + debt from NAB, Buckenbah Collective began restoring the historic building in August 2022.
Who are the people behind Buckenbah Collective?
Eliza is an Optometrist, and lives by the motto: "build it, and they will come", having inherited an entrepreneurial spirit from her parents Craig and Cate Whiteley. Eliza is a local Geurie Gal, with her family have a primary production business for many generations. Eliza’s optometry practice is Whiteley Optometry.
Claire is a Lawyer and Farmer, with two young kids. Claire and her husband Brendan moved to Geurie in 2011 and established the primary production business, BoothAg. Claire’s law firm C.O Booth Law & Advisory has an office in Dubbo.
By late 2023, Claire bought out Eliza’s share of Buckenbah Collective, as Eliza began her next venture - Whiteley Optometry (which opened to patients in December 2024). With a talented team and a patient-first approach, Eliza is committed to delivering exceptional eye care.
Eliza and Claire still remain good mates & enjoy catching up, without the paint brushes!
As Eliza was stepping out, educational training consultant, Libby Wilson and Claire were sharing office space in Dubbo at Chambers262. By April 2024, Libby formally became a director of Buckenbah Collective Pty Ltd.
With over 25 years of experience, Libby is a community worker, advocate, teacher, facilitator, and an accredited Instructor with Mental Health First Aid Australia. Libby has taught, supported, mentored, counselled, and coached some of the most vulnerable and resilient community members in rural, regional, and remote NSW. Libby’s business Croydon Training & Consulting cultivates genuine, authentic connections with community, industry, and individuals to promote mentally healthy and inclusive schools, workplaces, homes, and communities.
Libby & Claire are a great complimentary team, each with different skills sets, but focused on a joint vision of creating modern spaces and community benefits, throughout regional New South Wales.
Libby & Claire are very very very patiently supported by their husbands, Bull Wilson & Brendan Booth. Behind every cool woman, is a very kind, patient and generous husband. Thanks gents.
From July 2022 to December 2023, French Press Café operated in the cafe space.
Britt Denniss established her hair salon Creative Collective.
Britt employed many local teenagers, training them to be baristas and learning the art of customer service. Britt is acknowledged as the ‘brains trust’ behind the children’s playground which now sits in the garden courtyard.
In July 2023, Britt sublet her cafe to REDI.E, who operated the cafe as Wilay Cafe - Geurie until late 2023.
Jacinta Haycock opened her Art Gallery in November 2023. Alongside her daughter Belle Bonham, and family, Jacinta has created a beautiful retail and art experience. Please head to her socials or website for more information. Her new art class space is a great place to book if you are looking for a creative outlet.
Tracy (an employee of RED.I) was well loved by those who dined in the café, and was capably supported by Simone, Ella & Carrigan on weekends. RED.I lost their government funding and did not proceed with their sub-lease.
Whilst Jessica Wood cooked in the kitchen from February 2024, The Aviary Cafe officially opened in July 2024.
On 2 November 2024 we officially launched Buckenbah Collective - it was important to us to say thanks to the 45 tradespeople and many others who had worked to transform the building since mid-2022.
The launch event saw the building host a group of 130 people, including many civic leaders and politicians, the bank that financed the project and many, many others who supported us get the idea from a thought/conversation to reality. Live music by Allyn Smith, photography by local Geurie photographer Sally May, & stunning tablecloths by Jacinta Haycock created a beautiful night. More information about the launch, including the media release can be found here.
We were thrilled to learn that The Hon. Stephen Lawrence, MLC, introduced a notice of motion to the Legislative Council of New South Wales to note the community event and acknowledge the very hard work of all the tradespeople and folks that pulled together to restore the heritage building. A copy of the motion is right at the end of this history page.
By January 2025, Jessica decided to spend more time with her young children, and Jessica didn’t reopen her cafe after Christmas. Jessica continued to use the kitchen for her commercial catering until 30 April 2025.
With the cafe closing down suddenly, it was time for us to go back to the drawing board.
To be blunt, we were devastated, as we had poured a lot of money and energy into the cafe/ kitchen fit-out during 2024. However, we knew it would work, we just need to make a few tweaks, and try again.
Above is a photo of the building in late October 2024, the building signage was finalised and Buckenbah Collective hung festoon lights under the awning ahead of the November 2024 launch event.
From 1 May 2025 we commenced work on the final room in the building to be restored.
This space was an experiment - we wanted to open up the ceilings to expose the stunning trusses - we could see the building could happily have a raked ceiling.
When the trades took down the (very low) internal ceiling, we discovered long-ago covered up sky-lights and amazing original brickwork.
We think the wooden paneling on the walls / ceilings covered up the original general store fit-out in the 1960’s. There were officially 6 different heights in this building, so removing a false ceiling and creating a modern feel, whilst retaining the original features, shows us what the building would look like if we removed the false chip-board ceiling above the art-gallery space.
The new room is currently used by Jacinta Haycock for art classes. Over time we see the space being used for private dining, an additional air-conditioned indoor dining room for the cafe - or a meeting room. Incredibly versatile.
By late June 2025, the time was right to advertise for a new cafe tenant.
We were ready for a cafe tenant that not only was a good fit for us as owners of the building, but also someone who loved the space as much as us.
We decided to engage a professional story-teller, to share our hopes & the significant opportunities that awaited the right person prepared to invest their energy, time and hard work.
Sincere thanks to Tara Searl of Dubbo Real Estate Agency who spent time with us as we prepared an Expression of Interest paperwork bundle.
We thoroughly enjoyed working with Danika Armytage from Big Stories, Little Films. Danika filmed Jacinta, Libby and Claire in the cafe & courtyard - and we each shared the vision for the space.
We knew video was the way to properly communicate the beauty of Geurie, and the opportunity that exists to build a successful cafe business on the main street.
At the same time Danika captured our words and vision, we also engaged Amy & Ash from The Edit Videography. Credit to Paul Cavalier of Print Storm for us to The Edit.
We didn’t end up using the video footage from either Danika or Amy&Ash. Before we could formally advertise, we were contacted by Tina, and we sent to her the Expression of Interest paperwork bundle we had prepared.
The process of working with Tara, Danika, Amy & Ash to not only capture the space but also to focus the business plan and showcase the opportunity for the right person - was really helpful.
Whilst we worked on the process of the lease paperwork and new cafe design/ approvals, Buckenbah Collective hosted a “first home buyer workshop in the cafe space on 27 August 2025.
We were shocked to learn that the average price of a 3bed/2bath house in Geurie was only $50,000 less than nearby Dubbo. We knew Geurie would transform over time, but we didn’t expect it to happen within 3 years of buying the building.
Tina & Andie approached us in mid July 2025, by late August we had the new cafe fit-out plan in place and had the all clear from the local council to commence works.
We appreciated the heritage adviser coming out from Sydney to got through our plans and we took on board all of their feedback.
Tina & Andie requested an ‘outdoor server window’ - so takeaway coffee /food could happen from the courtyard, as well as via the internal cafe space.
The external side door was converted into a ‘dutch-door’ and using the existing water connections - we pivoted the cafe layout.
Our electricians are very very patient people. We relocated 3 phase power connections, as we sought professional advice from long-standing cafe owners about the optimal layout for the commercial kitchen. A brand-new commercial gas oven/cook-top & deep-fryer were brought in. We were able to source a pre-loved under counter fridge unit and built a coffee bar space with new fridges/freezers. New extraction fans went in and the experienced chefs created a space which works well.
By re-organising the coffee bar layout, we were able to add another 3 tables in the cafe section. The cafe - coffee bar now seamlessly links to the commercial kitchen to the cafe. Designing the space to be operated with one barista for early morning trade will enable the cafe business to increase/decrease labour depending on time of day as the cafe business matures.
It was pretty frantic, but Tina & Andie moved in the cafe/kitchen space on 26 September 2025. We owe a lot to Angela, Craig, Brendo, Libby, Rhonda, Roger, Ian, Peter, Ben, Noah, Claudia, Amber and the DREA team, as well as Tina, Andie & Ben and Tina’s mum Marge. Various couriers and suppliers often worked overtime to enable the new fit-out to happen within four weeks of the lease terms being agreed.
Whilst we understand at this early stage of this project, having the ‘landlord’ pay for & do the fit-out to enable a tenant to walk into a “turn-key” leased space, was important - attracting people to Geurie requires a long term vision approach - the cafe fit-out we be the last fit-out will do on behalf of a tenant. The expense, time, energy and co-ordination of the fit-out was bordering on insane. We are grateful Tina & Andie are happy in their space and often express their appreciation for the space we created for them to thrive and grow a successful cafe.
We know good things - like this project - take time and usually are hard (or very, very hard!) but we decided to pause the next door development, and lease the site instead - 2025 emptied our tanks on many levels, and we will take a few years to enjoy a well earned rest.
The Lemon Tree Cafe Geurie opened on Sunday 5 October 2025, with a formal launch event on Sunday 2 November 2025.
We are delighted to share that the cafe is going really well - the quality of the coffee, food & service - is simply wonderful.
Many locals have contacted us expressing deep thanks that they have a space to gather locally, which provides something a little different to the existing hospitality offerings in Geurie.
Tina & Andie are currently open (as at 3 Jan 2026) Thurs & Fri - 6am until 2pm, and then Sat & Sun - 8am until 2pm. They have their first evening function coming up on 18 January 2026 - A Night in Italy!
Please go to Facebook or Instagram to find out more about The Lemon Tree Cafe Geurie.
Below are the menus (current as at 3 January 2026), and a link to the Google Menu is here.
Photo by Ciara Bastow on behalf of the Daily Liberal newspaper.
