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 mid 2023, Britt sublet her cafe to REDI.E, who operated the cafe as Wilay Cafe - Geurie until late 2023. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
