Operation Gamechanger

A $50m expansion plan on our recently purchased 100 acre farm on the rural outskirts of Mansfield, has been dubbed Operation Gamechanger.

It will be home to new facilities and expanded services, so that we can support more families. Our current premises have served us well, but we no longer have the room to expand to cater for the demand for our services, not to mention that the benefits of being out at the farm will be incredible for our clients, students and their families!

Operation Gamechanger includes a new Therapeutic Term Placement school campus, residences for students, respite and crisis care, recreational facilities, family camp, equine therapy centre, swimming pool, walking & cycling tracks and professional development training facilities.

The total cost is around $50m and we are seeking external funding from government, donations and philanthropic trusts and then we will borrow to fund the balance. Down the track, we may sell existing land and buildings to help pay down debt. All up Mansfield Autism will be contributing about $8m for Operation Gamechanger, so every dollar raised or donated is vital.

We are over half way in our delivery of Operation Gamechanger.  We have received over $16m in federal and state government grants, contributions from philanthropic foundations and bequests and donations from businesses and community.  Some of the donations have come via fundraising events that are run by us including Mansfield Rideathon every November and some run by others including Oscars Hut2Hut and Horsepower in the High Country.  Stay tuned for more information about Lake High ‘Women off the Rails’ Great Victorian Walk for Autism on the Great Victorian Rail Trail April 26 2024.  Mansfield Autism has invested about $16m and to support this we have sold land and buildings and borrowed.  Every dollar raised or donated is vital for us to complete the committed construction elements of Operation Gamechanger.

Operation Gamechanger is well named: not only will our expansion help transform the lives of families living with autism, it will also drive the state economy with jobs set to double to over 250. A conservative cost benefit analysis on Operation Gamechanger determined a socio economic benefit of $127m over a 10 year life of project, with an investment return rate of 1.6.

Thank you to the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments for the significant funding support to date equating to ~$15.5m, matched by Mansfield Autism.

Thanks also to the many local businesses, community and philanthropic trusts that have made significant contributions.

Project
Retreat

This part of the farm will cater for autistic people and their families – they will be able to come to the farm for some rest, relaxation, learning and fun!

There will be 12 three-bedroom accessible, self contained cabins, an all purpose activities centre and a meeting place.

This part of the project will also feature a conference and training centre with a large dining area and two ensuite style mega cabins.

Project
Education

We’re building a beautiful school with state-of-the-art facilities. This is where our Therapeutic Placement clients will attend school.

The school will be a place of learning for education and allied health professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of autism.

Stage 1 of Project Education funded by Victorian State Government’s Independent Schools Capital Infrastructure Fund, together with Mansfield Autism.

Project
Residence

Several styles of accommodation will be offered at the farm.

Clients will stay with us for the duration of their therapeutic placement, spend some time with us for respite care, access crisis accommodation or even live on the farm on a more permanent basis. 

Project Residence is funded by the Victorian State Government.

Project
Activate

Just like it sounds! This aspect of the project is focused on ensuring that MASS’s clients experience the amazing benefits of being active and in nature.

Activate involves hydrotherapy & learn to swim indoor pools, a splash park, hard court, equine facilities, walking & bike paths, sensory gardens, and an ancient forest to explore.

Funding for this part of the project will go towards furniture, fit outs and landscaping.

Lake High – Great Victorian Walk for Autism

Lake High – Great Victorian Walk for Autism

Lake High is a new walking event for women by Mansfield Autism Statewide Services on the Friday of the Anzac Day weekend, 26 April 2024. Participants choose a 15km or 30km challenge, in teams of 2 to 10, along the picturesque Great Victorian Rail Trail in Mansfield....

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Operation Gamechanger at end of 2023

Operation Gamechanger at end of 2023

2023 was a big year for our expansion. In mid-December we have all our buildings up with roofs on, work starting on solar panels, power lines have been dropped underground, and work has started on the pathways and basic grass landscaping. We hope to be able to start...

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Progress with Operation Gamechanger

Progress with Operation Gamechanger

Progress continues toward expanding our capacity to deliver much needed support to children and families in Victoria living with autism. Family Cabins are almost done This is where families will stay when they come for Family Camps; three bedroom, two bathroom...

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All twelve family cabins are up!

All twelve family cabins are up!

Construction of our new purpose-built facilities is well underway and we are delighted to see our vision taking shape. All twelve family cabins are up! This is where families will stay when they come for Family Camps; three bedroom, two bathroom accessible cabins...

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Great effort by Team MASS at Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut

Great effort by Team MASS at Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut

A not so lazy $5500 was raised by TeamMASS, with these 2 intrepid legends tackling the 100km and a staff mob of awesomeness taking on the 10km - skating rink to summit included. Thanks to everyone who donated. Oscars100 Hut 2...

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Project Residence – Crisis pods arrive on site

Project Residence – Crisis pods arrive on site

Project Residence forges ahead with the arrival of the Crisis Pods. After many delays caused by the like of the COVID pandemic, some redesign and assorted other production issues, the Crisis pods have arrived and have been installed.

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Project Education funding provided by Victorian government

Project Education funding provided by Victorian government

$4.9m toward Stage 1 new school campus at the farm. To say we are excited & appreciative would be a massive understatement. Thankyou! To Jaclyn Symes for the sensational support. Building boost for Mansfield School Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes today...

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More Mansfield Autism stories highlighted by NDIS

More Mansfield Autism stories highlighted by NDIS

Andrew Field is grateful to the NDIS and says his family is now much better equipped to manage his son’s diverse behaviours since he was able to use his son’s NDIS funding flexibly to attend a Mansfield Autism Statewide Services (MASS) family camp. Andrew said after...

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Work continues on Project Residence

Work continues on Project Residence

Rain - no probs. Progress on our crisis pods continues indoors, with the steel floor frame taking shape. The 3 transportable, resilient 2 bedroom pods will be located at our farm and increase our capacity to offer respite and crisis care for autistic children. All...

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Mansfield Autism story on NDIS website

Mansfield Autism story on NDIS website

The following story is now displayed on the National Disability Insurance Scheme website. Netherclift family say autism training was a total gamechanger The Netherclifts are grateful the NDIS is supporting their son, Perry, 8, so he can receive “life-changing”...

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Theses funding bodies have generously contributed toward Operation Gamechanger.

Australian Federal Government
Victorian State Government
Bushfire Recovery Victoria
Building Our Future Australian Government
The Farm at a glance