How South Coast Vegans has grown a thriving plant-based community

For Sue Daniels, creating a welcoming space for vegans in the Illawarra region has been a labour of love for the past eight years.

After moving from the UK to Australia nine and a half years ago, Sue struggled to find plant-based friends, believing it was just a “meat-less” dream.

“In the UK I ran a wonderful vegan group for 13 years,” Sue said.

“When I came over here, I couldn’t find any vegans at all.”

Determined to change that, Sue connected with a like-minded woman on Facebook who shared her desire to start a vegan group.

Thus, the South Coast Vegans was born.

Sue said the group met on the first Sunday of every month for a picnic-style gathering, with attendees bringing and sharing their favourite homemade vegan dishes.

Some members have even taken to making their own vegan cheeses to share.

She said originally they met at Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa, but recently changed to Killalea State Park in Shell Cove, with the goal now to move locations on a more regular basis to attract people from different areas.

Raising funds for a charity was also part of the picnics, having raised money for everything from The Coalition For The Protection Of Racehorses to the Wombat Awareness Organisation for a wombat sanctuary, and FOUR PAWS Australia which provides emergency assistance to injured animals after earthquakes.

“We always have a raffle,” Sue said.

“Yesterday we raised $100 and that’s gone to ‘Til the Cows Come Home, which is an animal sanctuary.”

In addition to the monthly picnics, the group also organises coffee mornings or lunches during the week, providing more opportunities for the vegan community to connect.

While the group’s numbers have fluctuated over the years due to people moving in and out of the area, she said they had built up a core group of regulars, but were always looking for more.

While the group is primarily geared towards vegans, Sue said anyone interested in learning more about a plant-based lifestyle or looking for company was welcome.

“You don’t have to be vegan to join us, only be interested in changing your diet and exchanging recipes,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t know what they can eat or where they can get it from, so we’re there to help.”

Education and knowledge-sharing among members are central to the group’s mission, but Sue said more education within the hospitality industry was also needed.

She said she would like to see more cafes and restaurants clearly labelling vegan options on their menus, as they did for people with gluten options.

“Some cafes don’t tell people it’s vegan until somebody asks for something that’s vegan,” she said.

“They need to put a sign on the wall, saying, ‘We cater for vegans’.

“That’s all they need to do, really.”

However, Sue said some areas were catering for the community well, with most cafes in Kiama offering more vegan-friendly options.

She said places such as Burnetts on Barney Garden Centre in Kiama often put on more vegan food options when they knew the group was hosting its coffee catch-ups there.

With a goal now to continue growing the group, she said it was ideal for anyone interested in sharing recipes, supporting Illawarra businesses, connecting with like-minded individuals and making a meaningful impact through its charitable initiatives.

To become part of the group or to learn more, contact Sue through the South Coast Vegans Facebook page.