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Events

The Rippers Club annual summer drinks at Cottage

Last Saturday, the Rippers Club held a fun afternoon and “Ripping” event for its members and guests at the annual Rippers Summer Drinks held at Cottage overlooking the Rip.  The Rippers help facilitate and enable support for Cottage by the Sea across their far-reaching business and social networks. As always, their events are packed full […]

Our Stories

First school of 2024 on Take a Break!

It’s always exciting welcoming our first school back for the year on our Take a Break program, and who better to welcome than our friends at Yuille Park CC. We see Yuille Park students a number of times throughout the year, with lots of familiar faces. They always come along with high energy and enthusiasm […]

News Updates

Cottage President Scott Chapman AM appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia

A big congratulations from the entire Cottage by the Sea community to the recently appointed Cottage by the Sea President, Scott Chapman AM. Last week, Scott was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the Victorian community through a range of governance roles, including as a long-standing Board […]

Our Stories

Beach fun on Take a Break

What a perfect week of weather for our first Take a Break program of the year. The sun was shining for the visiting children as they arrived at Cottage, and we wasted no time having lunch and getting into wetsuits. As we made our way down to the beach, we could see the stunning blue […]

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Nature-inspired art at Cottage by the Sea

Nature is interwoven into Cottage by the Sea experiences not just through the activities the children undertake outdoors, but through the indoor environment at Cottage too. When the building at Main Cottage was redeveloped in 2020, the design was inspired by nature – emphasising north-facing windows for natural light, ocean views through south-facing windows out […]

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Spud picking for the Reefies!

Back in September 2023, our Reefies spent the morning planting and learning all-things green with one of our wonderful volunteers, Barb. One of the things they planted was potatoes. It just happened to be perfect timing that the Reefies’ first camp of the year was when the spuds were ready to be harvested! Our 2nd-year […]

News Updates

Wakanyanas fundraising for Cottage – more than 100 years of support   

Founded in 1916, the Wakanyanas lunch is an annual event for Freemasons, family and friends, which raises funds for Cottage by the Sea. The funds are raised through raffles, donations, “fines” and the famous auction of crayfish and prawns. Many members also donate goods such as toiletries, food, clothing and handmade toys for Cottage participants. The […]

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The lasting impact of Cottage by the Sea

Every week we are reminded of the impact of Cottage by the Sea by the program participants who provide their feedback. But the impact of an experience at Cottage by the Sea lasts well beyond the duration of a program. For many Cottage alumni, the impact is lifelong. On Saturday morning, a lovely listener called […]

Events

Cottage by the Sea’s Annual Fair raises more than $75,000!

On Saturday January 13, Cottage by the Sea raised more than $75,000 at its Annual Fair. More than 2,500 people were in attendance at Cottage’s longest-running fundraiser. All of the funds raised from the Annual Fair will go directly to Cottage by the Sea programs. “The support of our community, as always, is amazing. We […]

Events

Cottage by the Sea Annual Fair 2024 map

We look forward to welcoming you to Cottage by the Sea tomorrow, Saturday January 13, for our Annual Fair from 9am–2pm! Here is a map outlining the location of the stalls. Please note that the location of some stalls may be subject to change on the day. Please call us on 5258 1663 if you […]

Our Stories

Rewilding – a nature prescription at Cottage by the Sea

Fresh, seaside air has been the prescription for children visiting Cottage by the Sea for more than a century. Our mission, values and philosophy have remained the same since our inception in 1890 – to enhance the lives of more children by providing inspiration, fun and opportunity within a holiday environment. Nature is interwoven into […]

Events

Cottage by the Sea Annual Fair 2024

On Saturday January 13, 2024 from 9am–2pm, Cottage by the Sea will host its Annual Fair at 29 Flinders Street in Queenscliff. The Annual Fair is Cottage’s longest-running fundraiser. Originally an Annual Picnic, the children’s charity has records of the fundraiser dating back to 1924. “Our Annual Fair has been operating for almost 100 years […]

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The value of surfing on Cottage by the Sea programs

The wellbeing benefits of surfing have been well researched. We hear about these effects anecdotally from the visiting children on Cottage by the Sea programs – they feel the thrill of catching a wave, increased confidence and self-belief from the sense of accomplishment, and an overall sense of calm from spending time in the ocean. […]

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The importance of green and blue spaces at Cottage by the Sea

Spending time in green and blue spaces has a host of benefits for physical and mental health. This is why Cottage by the Sea programs focus on activities in nature. We see these effects first-hand each week with the visiting children. A child may express delight from feeling the sand between their toes, feel overjoyed […]

News Updates

Merry Christmas from Cottage by the Sea!

From everyone at Cottage by the Sea, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a wonderful start to 2024. Thank you for being a part of our success this year as we continue to enhance the lives of more children through inspiration, fun and opportunity. We can’t wait to support more […]

Our Stories

Farewell, Megan!

Last week, we said farewell to our treasured colleague, Megan. Megan started working at Cottage by the Sea as a volunteer 19 years ago. Her staff roles at Cottage have ranged from working as a Funding Coordinator to a Grant Writer. Megan’s work in helping to secure funding for Cottage has been instrumental to our […]

Events

Volunteer Christmas lunch

We had a wonderful afternoon with our volunteers today enjoying a delicious festive lunch. Cottage by the Sea volunteers play such an important role in the day-to-day operations. Even though they don’t work directly with the children, they certainly make a difference behind the scenes to enhance the lives of program participants. Our CEO Adam […]

News Updates

Summer Wish List

Please find below Cottage by the Sea’s Summer Wish List for 2024. Thank you for your donations – they go directly to the children who attend our programs.