Gus's facts for kids
Gus's cafe is a famous cafe in Canberra, Australia. It opened in 1969. It was the first cafe in Canberra where people could sit outside. This type of cafe is called a pavement cafe. Gus's cafe is one of the oldest and most well-known cafes in Canberra. It was also one of the first cafes in Australia to have a European style. You can sit inside or outside at Gus's.
The Story of Gus Petersilka
The cafe was started by a man named Augustin 'Gus' Petersilka. He was born on July 20, 1918, and passed away on October 23, 1994. Gus came to Australia from Austria in 1951. He arrived in Canberra in 1962.
A New Idea for Canberra
Gus had some challenges when he first opened his cafe. At that time, it was against the rules for people to sit outside a cafe or restaurant in Canberra. Gus really wanted to introduce this new way of dining. He had many disagreements with the government officials, who are sometimes called bureaucrats. These disagreements were often talked about in the news.
Honoring Gus
A special plaque is on the ground outside Gus's cafe. It celebrates Gus Petersilka being named the Canberran of the Year in 1978. The plaque says that Gus helped make Canberra a more lively place. It says he fought for people to be able to enjoy outdoor cafes. He was known for his friendly welcome and strong will. The plaque hopes his energy and vision will live on in the city.
On November 14, 2002, a street was named after Gus Petersilka. It is in the Canberra area called Gungahlin.
Gus's Cafe Today
In 2011, Gus's cafe was added to the Australian Capital Territory Heritage Register. This means it is a special place that is important to the history of the area.
The cafe closed for a short time in late June 2016. It was then sold to new owners. It reopened in September 2017 with a new name, Gus' Place.
