Andrew Sadler is well-known around Hervey Bay, renowned for his great coffee, warm heart, and delightful sense of humour. I have had the pleasure of knowing Andrew for several years, and we have shared countless laughs together. Born nearly sixty years ago in Wellington, New Zealand, Andrew fondly refers to himself as a "South Sea pom" and a Hurricanes boy.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Andrew shares, "I grew up with a single mother. It was a tough life but a good life. I had everything I needed and attended excellent schools." Andrew's mother, a professor of English, instilled in him the value of money and emphasized the importance of good manners—a quality he believes is lacking in many children today. Andrew is also very close to his father and spent school holidays with him, accumulating more frequent flyer points than most kids ever dreamed of.
As a child, Andrew was driven by his passion for sports and immersed himself in a variety of disciplines, from rugby union to volleyball and athletics. However, when it came to choosing a career path, Andrew initially lacked a clear direction. He ended up becoming an apprentice chef and pursued his studies to become fully qualified. Andrew went on to serve as a head chef at various establishments but, over time, grew bored.
In 1987, Andrew moved to Australia and ended up working alongside a friend to establish pubs in Brisbane. Since then, Andrew has had just about every role within the hospitality industry, with one of his least enjoyable experiences being a bouncer at a nightclub. Wearing the uniform seemed to attract drunk troublemakers eager to pick a fight.
A little-known fact about Andrew is the fact that he used to scuba dive. One day while diving, he collided head-on with a shark as he emerged from a narrow rock hole. Both the shark and Andrew were equally startled. A moment he will never forget.
The worst thing that Andrew has experienced was losing his mother to cancer. Witnessing her decline and being unable to protect her was incredibly difficult. It took time to recover from the emotional impact, and work served as a temporary distraction. Nights were particularly challenging as they allowed for reflection.
“My mother had a unique sense of humour and knew that I was hopeless at remembering dates. In a clever move, she passed away on November 11, 2011, Remembrance Day, ensuring I would never forget the date-a final laugh and a tribute from her.”
Andrew eventually trained as a barista under the tutelage of a close friend, a former Australian second-place Barista Champion. He spent countless hours practising the art of loading shots and preparing milk and honed his technique while working in catering and cafes. Eventually, he and a friend opened a small café in Sydney, where they were brewing and serving an impressive 60 to 80 kilograms of coffee per week.
Nearly nine years ago, Andrew made the decision to move to Hervey Bay after having visited the area for the past three decades. After trying a few coffee shops, he decided there and then to open his own coffee shop here where he could create a haven for coffee enthusiasts. FX of Coffee was born. His first full-time employee, Lavina, remains an integral part of his team to this day.
Andrew and Lavina have a devoted following of customers whom they have come to know as ‘family.’ They both look forward to welcoming them all back when they open at their new location on Fraser St in early July.
By Kim Parnell
What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine