Ranch 2.0 Emergency Housing

With the current crisis of homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula, our Club has helped 7 families find emergency housing in Mornington. When our Club helped fund a video produced by the Mornington Community Support Centre a few years ago, it became a catalyst for two philanthropic groups to join forces and purchase a block of units in Mornington. With the closure and imminent demolition of the Ranch Motel on Nepean Highway, these units are now the only crisis accommodation on the Peninsula.

The units needed quite a lot of repair and refurbishment, so our Rotary Club, along with help from Mt Martha Rotary Club, the Men’s Shed and volunteers from the Mornington Community Support Centre, commenced many working bees. Many local businesses, such as Bunnings, Dulux and Dollar Curtains, came to the fore and offered materials and services. Just a fabulous community effort.

The project has forged stronger relationships between Rotary clubs, businesses, trades, neighbours, community organisations and philanthropists, while delivering something even more important: hope, dignity and a pathway forward for people experiencing homelessness.

The challenge on the Mornington Peninsula remains substantial, but Ranch 2.0 has shown what is possible when people unite behind a common purpose. It is a powerful example of Rotary’s ability to bring together community resources, goodwill and action to create lasting change.

More than a story about accommodation, Ranch 2.0 is a story of collaboration, leadership and community spirit. Its greatest legacy may be demonstrating that this sustainable, community-led approach can be replicated elsewhere, helping more people find safety, stability and hope for the future.