News & Articles
Create a life-changing legacy in 2024
Make 2024 the year you create a life-changing legacy with Cottage by the Sea. Leaving a gift in your Will allows you to leave a legacy of money, property, shares or goods beyond your lifetime that will help the generations of children to come. Anyone can write a free, legally binding Will, with free and […]
“My first time at the beach and I surfed!”
Just like every Take a Break program with students from the country, there are always a few children who have never seen the beach before. This week was no different. For the participants on this week’s Take a Break program from a rural town near Shepparton, we had more than a few who had NEVER […]
Queenscliff Branch Christmas craft morning
This morning, the Queenscliff Branch hosted a Christmas craft morning at Cottage by the Sea. Guests gathered in our art room to make Christmas-inspired gifts, cards and decorations for the festive season, followed by morning tea in our dining room overlooking the sea. Thank you to everyone who attended this morning’s craft event while supporting […]
Bellarine Branch fundraising luncheon
This afternoon, the Bellarine Branch hosted a luncheon at Cottage. 59 guests gathered in our upstairs space overlooking the ocean to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Chef Kim and our wonderful volunteers and staff. Guest speaker Meg Durham is a wellbeing educator, speaker and coach, and shared some powerful insights on how we can all live […]
The impact of Cottage by the Sea’s Take a Break program
Swimming in the ocean, eating freshly caught seafood from a fishing charter, making new friends and being around positive role models are some of the many opportunities provided to Take a Break program participants at Cottage by the Sea. When a young child is given the chance to experience inspiration, fun and opportunity in a […]
REEF offsite adventure on the Great Ocean Road
It’s not every day you celebrate your birthday on a REEF adventure with friends. Cameron’s 12th birthday started off with a breakfast feast of bacon and eggs. The kids sat on the banks of the Cumberland River and watched the ducks swim by while enjoying breakfast together. Our first activity was a short drive back to […]
Scholarship story – setting his sights on the moon
We recently received an email from one of our 1st-year REEFies, who is also part of our scholarship program. After submitting a scholarship form, we purchased a telescope for Matt*. Matt is a wonderful young person who, after participating in only three programs at Cottage, has really grown and benefitted from this wonderful program. Receiving […]
Cottage conversations – interview with Volunteer Michele
Volunteering at Cottage by the Sea is a meaningful way to help us achieve our mission of providing inspiration, opportunity and fun to more children. While Cottage Volunteers don’t work directly with the children on Programs, they provide important assistance on everyday tasks and make up the many different layers of our organisation, which contributes […]
The not-so-friendly pelican on Take a Break
Visiting the Queenscliff Marina is a staple activity every week on our Take a Break program. With so much to do and see along the marina, the children always enjoy exploring it and the staff in the Programs Team have a different experience each time they visit. Our main goal is to find the illusive […]
Scholarship story – discovering a passion for figure skating
For one of our Mentors, figure skating is a passion that they have fostered through spending the time learning how to ice skate. They first applied for a scholarship in January 2023 to receive a six-month “Gold Freestyle Pass” that would allow them to begin their journey of becoming a figure skater, compete in competitions […]
Exploring Queenscliff and stingray spotting
It was a beautiful Friday in Queenscliff. There were no clouds in sight and the sun was shining. 17 students from a primary school near Bendigo were heading down to the marina to hopefully catch a glimpse of the local stingrays. We headed up 360Q, looking at the lighthouses and the wonderful boats docked in […]
The healing nature of art
The arts is an important part of the work we do at Cottage by the Sea, and we are expanding our offerings in this space by introducing art sessions on our programs. These sessions use art, play, clay and education as experiential activities that help to support the mind-body connection of young people. We have […]
2023 Cottage by the Sea Financial Report
The Board is pleased to present the financial reports of Cottage by the Sea (Cottage) for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. On behalf of Cottage by the Sea Board of Directors, we extend our thanks to all our staff, volunteers,Branches, Ambassadors, our Patron, trusts and foundations, as well as corporate and individual donorswhose […]
Fishing charter versus fishing charter
This week on the Take a Break program, we had two fishing charters scheduled for the group from a primary school in northern Victoria. Naturally, this evolved into a huge competition on which group could catch the most fish and the biggest fish. Fishing group 1 on Tuesday were faced with average boating conditions. A […]
2023 Cottage by the Sea Annual Report
Welcome to Cottage by the Sea’s Annual Report for the financial year (FY) ended 30 June, 2023. The Annual Report is an opportunity to offer sincere and heartfelt thanks, to review the year that has been and to look towards the year ahead. On behalf of the Cottage by the Sea Board of Directors, we […]
2023 Cottage by the Sea Annual General Meeting
On Friday October 27, we hosted our 133rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Cottage by the Sea. The AGM is an important day in the calendar and gives us an opportunity to engage with our supporters to showcase the amazing work that we all do. We had a great turn out from the Board, Branches, […]
2023 Melbourne Cup Tour of Queenscliff cocktail celebration
We had a wonderful evening at Suma Park Estate as a grand finale to the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour of Queenscliff organised by Cottage by the Sea in collaboration with The Rippers Club. Guests welcomed the Cup onto the front veranda of the historical Suma Park homestead to the tune of local bagpiper Callum […]
Thank you for helping to bring the Melbourne Cup to Queenscliff
Cottage by the Sea is the proud charity partner of the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour to Queenscliff. Celebrating the tour yesterday was an incredible day for our community. From starting at 7am at the Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club for a seaside breakfast to finishing at 8pm with a phenomenal cocktail fundraiser at Suma Park, […]
