After re-locating from Andy’s Coffee Lounge in Orange City Centre to own the Cheeky Barista cafe in 2012, barista and cafe owner Rodney Soo wanted to give a homely feel to his establishment to show he welcomes anyone through the doors by building up a series of good news newspaper clippings hung up on the wall. 

The coverage ranges from sporting achievements, community group progress,  birth notices as well as family achievements.

“It’s a real testament to all the wonderful people we’ve got in Orange and surrounding districts,” Mr Soo said. 

His wall is refreshed with new articles from the beginning of each financial year.

Inspiration came from growing up in Blayney, where his parents owned Hang Sing Chinese restaurant and would hang up clippings of birthday parties or achievements of his mother’s favourite sporting team, the Blayney Bears. 

He said coming from a small town where everyone knew each other, then moving to Orange and seeing the city grow he now feels the city has “lost it’s way”. 

“Orange is still seen as a country town, I think we still need to be country and not lose our identity.”

ashlea.pritchard@fairfaxmedia.com.au