Robby Farso – Cafe Manager

Previously a volunteer at the Sycamore Tree, Robby has transitioned from his 25+ year profession as a Chartered Accountant to hospitality in order to work with his passion of coffee, food and people. Robby is married to Danielle and is a Heidelberg local. Not only does Robby love coffee and food, he makes homemade salami, tomato passata, hot jam ricotta donuts and hot chili sauce, which he is very proud to announce to anyone who will listen. Robby also loves a good chat and not only thinks of himself as a great story teller, but also a great listener and is always looking to hear about peoples’ backgrounds and stories.


Carol – Volunteer

Carol started with us after looking for local volunteer work. One of her friends suggested the Sycamore Tree and the rest is history. Carol makes sandwiches, serves out the front and is always up for a chat. She loves the variety of duties and the variety of people she works with. Carol also volunteer at local op-shops and loves the people contact of her different positions. Carol appreciates all the different skills that she’s developed over her time with the Sycamore Tree, as well as the friendships and the growth in her own confidence.


Mary – Volunteer

Mary has been with the Sycamore Tree since September 2012. She started doing Front of House – looking after customers and taking orders. Her favourite part of the job is that “there is always something to do”. (And she likes being a “clean freak” too – which is very handy now that she has expanded her job skills to include working on the sandwich bar and as dishwasher.) Mary loves her monthly discos that are run by the City of Port Philip and she loves her Maine Coon cats and her Groodle dog.