Coronavirus in Ballarat: Dream scenario for couple set to become reality
After years dreaming of a move to the country and opening up a community business, one Happy Valley couple is set to finally see their hopes materialise.
Husband and wife Carl Oberhauser and Rachael Gauci are eagerly awaiting the grand opening of their new cafe in Linton after moving to the region around 18 months ago.
SO CLOSE: Carl Oberhauser and Rachael Gauci inside their soon-to-be-opened cafe in Linton. Picture: Lachlan Bence.
The couple had always dreamed of moving to regional Victoria, spending time in Woodend to see how they would enjoy the lifestyle and while looking for an ideal property.
It was during this time a pair of significant medical issues brought the pair back to Melbourne.
"We spent time living in Woodend to see how we would like living in regional Victoria, however that was cut short because of some medical issues facing my husband," Mrs Gauci said.
"He needed a double back operation and was told there was a 90 per cent chance he would never walk again.
"On top of that, my mother in law's cancer came back, so we decided to stay in Melbourne to support her."
The return to Melbourne lasted five years which included Mr Oberhauser's miraculous recovery from back surgery - now he can walk - and the unfortunate passing of his mother.
It was after this the couple finally found a home perfectly suited for them in Happy Valley, just outside of Linton.
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"We got to stages where my husband and I never thought we would find the house that we wanted," Mrs Gauci said.
Shortly after moving to the region, the only cafe, Wares Plants 'n' Things Cafe, closed, opening up a dream opportunity for the couple.
"When we first moved here there was a cafe open, which was perfect for us because we could enjoy it being so close to home," Mrs Gauci continued.
"When it closed around 12 months ago, there was nothing. My husband has a restaurant and hospitality background, and opening up a cafe is something we had spokes about for a long time.
"Through a few somewhat random conversations, we got speaking with the landlord of the cafe and planned on taking over."
Now, after spending significant time renovating the new venue, the couple is preparing to open to the greater community in a take-away capacity.
Mrs Gauci said despite the second wave, they haven't let the pandemic slow them down.
"Finally after all this time renovating and getting things in order, we're hoping to open for takeaway in the next few weeks.
"Yes we've had a second wave, but we didn't want to let that slow us down, we just needed to focus on what we could do at that time.
"Right now we can still go for walks with our facemasks, so I think the community is really calling out for a cafe to fill the hole that has been left."
With the prospect of opening the cafe doors, she added how emotional even thinking about her and her husband's journey to this point is for her.
This was our dream for such a long time and after everything we went through its finally all coming together.
Rachael Gauci
"I get teary thinking about it because it's actually happening," she said battling tears.
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