Local hero returns to Georges Hall Public School

The questions came in thick and fast for Hannah Costello who returned to her primary school with a national award. Glenn Cullen reports.

A close up photo of a young girl with long hair smiling A close up photo of a young girl with long hair smiling
Image: Hannah Costello ... in her school days

Hannah Costello was a more than able student when she attended Georges Hall Public School in the early 2000s, but it was the lessons learned beyond the books that really moulded the entrepreneur.

Hannah returned to the school this week as somewhat of a hero, or more specifically, the Australian of The Year Local Hero.

Along with partner Vanessa Brettell, the pair run two non-profit cafes in Canberra that employ migrant and refugee women. They were recognised with the gong at this year’s Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.

For Hannah, the community spirit and drive to make a difference blossomed during her years spent at Georges Hall PS.

“It wasn't just about school work,” she said.

“It was about the extra activities that were around; working as a team and playing your part were definitely things that were instilled here. I think it was just a very fun environment.

“I really enjoyed coming to school. Mum and dad and the school and community that we grew up in were amazing. I think I always learned that if you had the ability to do something as simple as holding the door open for someone you should. Perhaps I even did that too much!”

The example from her mum was kind of tough to miss given that Sharon Costello taught at the school when Hannah was there and is an assistant principal these days.

“Her grandma always used to say to me ‘that one's going to be something; she's going to make her mark’. And she definitely has,” Sharon said.

Hannah’s father, Peter Costello, also attended Georges Hall Public School from 1964 to 1970, as did her sisters, Emma Costello, now a social worker and university lecturer, and Madeleine Costello, Assistant Principal at Fairfield West Public School.

The genesis of Café Stepping Stone

Initially interested in film and production post school, Hannah realised it wasn’t for her and started drifting towards hospitality.

After some travels to Colombia with her partner Vanessa, they came up with the concept of Café Stepping Stone, working with the indigenous population there to run the café.

“There were volunteer programs there, but they were kind of for the volunteer, not actually for the people that they were trying to help. Vanessa saw a similar social enterprise model while she was traveling in Cambodia and thought that it could work.

“And it definitely did. We went over there with the experience in hospitality, but the foundations that we worked with were really integral to make sure that we weren't doing any harm. And we operated over there for three years, employed 40 youth.”

Then COVID struck. But with it came an opportunity to take the model to Canberra, opening up a new café within just a few months of their return to Australia.

The first Café Stepping Stone in Canberra was born, this one employing migrant and refugee women in the national capital.

The sustainable vegetarian cafe now has two locations — Strathnairn Arts Homestead and Dickson — where workers receive on-the-job learning and qualifications through registered training organisations.

Their inclusive employment practices target female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, newly arrived in Australia, experiencing homelessness, know limited English, or have minimal employment history.

“I think it's now 65 women we've had working with us over the five years,” she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has popped in for a coffee and the kudos escalated further with the nomination for the Australian of The Year Local Hero award.

Initially starting with an ACT award, Hannah was shocked to suddenly be nationally recognised.

“To be honest, I didn't even know that was a category,” she said.

“I think it just highlights everyday people that are just trying to do their best, and I think that that's what it means to be Australian - trying to do your best for the people that you live around.”

  • News
Return to top of page Back to top