Australian Charities - Charity fundraising

Australian Charities for Charity Fundraising

Cottage by the Sea, Queenscliff Inc. (prior to 1998 known as The Ministering Children’s League Incorporated) was established in 1890 to provide care and accommodation for children recovering from illness. Over the 115 years, relief care and support has been provided for tens of thousands of children from all over Victoria.

The Ministering Children's League

The Ministering Children’s League was founded in England by the late Countess of Meath in 1884. Twelve acres of land opposite the Meath Estate in Surrey were purchased and subsequently two holiday homes were built, one for girls and one for boys.

The Countess of Meath was instrumental in the establishment of the Ministering Children’s League in Victoria in 1890. Financial support was forthcoming, land bought at Queenscliff and a cottage built on a high point overlooking the sea.

A centre was formed in Melbourne and branches started throughout the State. The first State President in Melbourne was Mrs Robert Harper of Myoora, Toorak. The Cottage by the Sea is operated by the Board of Management and its branches.

Early picture of children arriving at the station

Important Dates in the History of the Cottage by the Sea

1895	On 7 December Lady Brassey opened the Cottage, which was built for the sum of £1200 and accommodated 12 children at a time.
1914	The Ministering Children’s League operated throughout the First World War, the children going down by boat.
1919	In February, the Cottage by the Sea was used as an emergency hospital during the influenza epidemic.
1936	In May a Building Appeal for £10,000 was launched to build a new brick home.
1938	20 January, Lady Huntingfield opened the new Cottage by the Sea.
1939	In September the Cottage was taken over by the Dept of Defence until 1943.
1939	In November ‘Happy Days’, a large house in Sandringham, was rented to continue the League’s work.
1943	The Cottage by the Sea at Queenscliff was returned to the League and reopened as a holiday home. ‘Happy Days’ carried on as a second holiday home, for boys only, until 1953 when it was sold.
1956	The Calder Ward was built as a modern brick playroom attached to the Cottage.
1990	Our Centenary Year, celebrated with a giant fair at Princess Park, Queenscliff, followed by the Official Opening at our Gallery Luncheon by Lady Young, wife of the Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of Victoria.
1991	Highlights were receiving the Advance Australia Award, the new Cottage clock and the ‘picnic’ at Government House.
1994	The Ministering Children’s League was honoured for over 50 years by the Patronage of the late Queen Mary.
1998	Name changed from Ministering Children’s League Inc. to Cottage by the Sea, Queenscliff Inc.
2000	Major renovations to both children’s bathrooms at a cost of $60,000. Reunion of past Cottage children, many of whom are now grandparents themselves.
2002	Tony Featherston appointed as General Manager.
2003	Cathy Freeman becomes the Patron of The Cottage.
2005	Established new Young Professionals Branch

Australian Charities .... helping children and families in need.

Cottage by the Sea is a non-profit charity fundraising organisation helping children of families in need.
Please condsider making us one of your preferred Australian charities.

The Australian Tax Office endorses CBTS for charity tax concessions, including donations, which are tax deductible. Cottage by the Sea is entered in the public register maintained by the Australian Business Registrar at www.abr.business.gov.au.
Our ABN is 21 987 748 593