Harry Buchanan (top left), one half of the Components Café team, grew up in Dorrigo with his 2 brothers, and at school’s end he decided the next phase of his life needed to be spent exploring, discovering and expanding his horizons. His gap-year (one of many years as it turned out) took him on a journey across the world and culminated in meeting his partner, Josh, in the UK in 2014. Together they continued to pursue their travel dreams, completing TEFL courses (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), thus enabling them to work in countries like Poland and China before winding their way back to Australia. Woolgoolga, to be more precise. After a year spent honing their skills in hospitality and enjoying the relaxed coastal Woopi lifestyle, they were approaching another cross-roads when, as fate would have it, an offer they just couldn’t refuse presented itself – to take over Components Café, landing them back in Harry’s home town of Dorrigo. He’d come full circle – much to the delight of family. Harry and Josh met up through their creative hobby as acoustic music duo – Josh singing and Harry playing guitar.

They’d previously played gigs at Components Café and Mum, Hazel is a Music teacher at BDC as well.

Once they purchased the premises, they started to add bespoke furniture items thanks to Harry’s uber-talented dad and Dorrigo local Gordon Buchanan. It started with their coffee counter – exquisitely carved by Gordon from Rosewood timbers from his property, and gifted to the boys.  Then came the guitars hanging in the cafe, the book-exchange book-nook, a miniature chair & corner display box … Harry’s brother Tristan inherited the sculpting gene, and his beautiful hand-carved chopping boards adorn the Cafe’s kitchen.

They both play squash at the local courts, have a strum and a sing, pop out to Bellingen for a meal… they don’t actually get much down time!

Congratulations on such an achievement, Harry - it’s great to hear about the family backing your project.