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
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.

Theses funding bodies have generously contributed toward Operation Gamechanger.