FLINDERS MP Zoe McKenzie has pledged $500,000 in funding to help boost jobs and opportunities for adults with different abilities at Sages Cottage in Baxter, if re-elected. The heritage-listed cottage sits within a 38-acre farm and café run by people with a disability. It is operated by not-for-profit disability support group Wallara Australia, which welcomes more than 50,000 visitors each year.
McKenzie last week announced a promise to fund an inclusive jobs hub initiative at Sages Cottage allowing it to expand its workforce and increase visitors, if re-elected at the federal election this year. Currently 80 special needs young adults operate the farm and cottage, under the guidance of hospitality and horticulture mentors.
McKenzie said the Coalition had promised the funding at both the 2022 state and federal elections. “The Albanese Government has left this project without government funding, forcing Sages Cottage to rely on the generosity of the general public in a cost-of-living crisis,” she said. She noted that Sages Cottage gave participants “vital life and professional skills”. “I’ve seen the amazing impact this organisation has on participants and their families through transformative therapy and skills training for life and the workplace.”
Wallara CEO Phil Hayes-Brown said they were thrilled by the announcement, which would make a huge difference to the farm. “We’ve spent about $4.5 million dollars so far to buy and develop the farm, and there hasn’t been any support yet from state or federal government and it’s all being done through us and philanthropic friends,” he told The News. “The waiting list to come to the farm is growing … this will allow us to add another 40 people to come to the farm; that’s pretty significant and will provide our staff with a great place to work, and more community groups can come and visit and tour and see the place.” He said they would also be able to use the cottage as a tourist attraction, which is currently being used as an admin office, “so people can wander through and see the heritage side of it all”.
Hayes-Brown confirmed the farm was going ahead with creating a new $2.5m hub with construction starting on 24 February, delivering a one-storey building for their office admin program for clients.
It will contain 380 square metres of space including change rooms and other facilities with works expected to be completed by August.
“It’ll be a new flagship hub for everyone. It’s been on the books for a while as we’ve been looking to raise the funds and we’ve decided to proceed,” he said. “If this election promise comes through It will relieve a lot of that borrowing pressure and mean we can do it even better.”
First published in the Mornington News – 11 February 2025
