History
This timeline serves to recognise the rich history of Cottage by the Sea and the many people involved in its journey over more than 135 years.
Early days
1890
The foundations of Cottage by the Sea begin with Elizabeth Calder and Annie Hitchcock in 1890, who were inspired by the Countess of Meath (England) to form a Ministering Children’s League (MCL) in Victoria.
The early work of the MCL involved tireless fundraising and travelling throughout Victoria and interstate, to encourage the formation of Branches.
1895
In 1895, the original 11-room Cottage, designed by architect Beverley Ussher of Melbourne and built by J.C Taylor of Geelong, was completed. Initially, Cottage by the Sea provided care for 12 children in need and was a place to which they came for restoration and health.
Early 1900s
The early 1900s saw Cottage primarily used as a recovery centre for children with typhoid fever, rheumatic fever, diphtheria, pneumonia, spinal disease and hip disease.
The Calder Memorial Wing was built in 1912, adding a much-needed 4-bed ward and nurse’s room. This played a vital role in 1919, when it was used as an emergency ward during the influenza epidemic.
New & improved
1935
In operation for 40 years, the original timber Cottage reached a point of serious deterioration. A Building Appeal was launched to fund its replacement, and £10,000 was consequently raised. In 1936, the Cottage building was demolished, and a new brick Cottage was designed by P. Scott Williams.
1938
Construction was completed in 1938. However, the new establishment was only occupied for five months before the Defence Department took it over as a World War II military hospital in 1939, displaying the Red Cross on the roof and sides of the building to alert enemy planes.
1943
It wasn’t until 1943 that the ownership of Cottage was returned to the MCL, allowing camps of up to 40 children to run. In the summer of 1945 – as WWII ended – Cottage reserved its camps for children of POWs – selected by the AIF Women’s Association.
1956 – The Calder Ward was rebuilt as a modern brick playroom attached to Cottage.
The 1960s saw a large proportion of migrant and indigenous children staying at Cottage.
Modernising Cottage by the Sea
1970s
Cottage continued to cater for 40 disadvantaged children, staying for approximately one month each. Common activities in the 1970s included outings to the beach, visits to the Fort and Lighthouse, as well as ferry trips to Sorrento. A yearly visit from Father Christmas in a bright red Queenscliff Fire Brigade Cart was a highlight for the children.
1980s
Cottage continued its development in the 1980s, including construction of the Activity Hut, the Marine Room, a new three-vehicle carport to house a new Cottage bus, and the new playground was opened.
In 1984, government funding ceased. With no funding, Cottage had to re-evaluate and improve its methods. It signalled the transition to a completely non-profit and non-government funded children’s charity – a first for the region. Additional fundraising and in-kind support from Branch members, service clubs and a generous public ensured the ongoing viability of Cottage. In 1985, the annual cost to run and maintain Cottage and its programs was $178,388.
1990s
The Cottage Centenary Year was celebrated in 1990 at Princess Park in Queenscliff.
1993 – Reconstruction of the Cottage kitchen took place.
1995 – The Ministering Children’s League in England closed and made a generous donation of £10,000 to Cottage.
Cottage committed to a restructure of Board functions in 1996. Cottage also introduced smaller, shorter camps, which were deemed more beneficial to children and families.
In 1998, the name formally changed from Ministering Children’s League Inc. to Cottage by the Sea, Queenscliff Inc and a Constitution was created. The annual cost to run Cottage was $532,495.
Expansion
The turn of the century saw a range of new energised programs introduced at Cottage by the Sea, including the Take a Break program, designed and implemented by qualified staff and generously supported in many areas by a band of donors and dedicated volunteers.
The mission to provide fun and opportunity to children continued, with a focus on the children being accepted as individuals with different needs, expectations and responses, as well as enjoying life’s simple pleasures, learning new skills and making new friends.
Cottage appointed its first full-time General Manager, Tony Featherston, who had the responsibility of securing funding to resource the updated programs. These resources, along with staff recruitment and training, have allowed Cottage to become self-sufficient in running its programs.
The programs and activities have expanded and developed, and have been enhanced by Cottage’s fleet of three buses, four trailers and a boat.
In 2003, Cathy Freeman was appointed Cottage Patron – a position she held for 12 years before stepping aside to concentrate on her own foundation.
2006 – Cottage purchased the adjoining Riptide property, providing flexibility to run smaller camp sizes.
By the end of the decade, annual camp attendee numbers eclipsed 1,000 children.
Sending Cottage into the future
2008–15 – The programs that are synonymous with the contemporary Cottage were introduced. The REEF program, which works with students in Years 6-7; and the Mentor program, an ongoing program for REEF graduates. As well as the introduction of the National program, providing a committed service to Cottage Patron Cathy Freeman’s Foundation and its “Horizons Program”.
2010 – Cottage by the Sea celebrates 120 years of service by becoming debt-free.
2011 – The Cottage by the Sea Foundation is established to help secure the financial future of Cottage and its ability to keep offering children a very special holiday.
2014 – Frank Costa, entrepreneur and philanthropist, is named Cottage by the Sea Patron.
2014–15 – Cottage moves into the world of social media, undergoes a major rebranding and our mission is formed: “Providing disadvantaged young people with inspiration, fun and opportunity”.
2016 – Access Audit and a Safety Audit commissioned finds the Main Cottage in need of improvement.
2016–19 – Fundraising efforts provide sufficient funds to undertake Capital Works to propel the 80-year-old Cottage into the 21st century.
2018 – Cottage by the Sea’s Board undertakes a governance review and training to build strong and effective governance, leading Cottage into the future as a successful not-for-profit.
2019 – Adam Wake is appointed CEO of Cottage by the Sea.
2020 – Cottage by the Sea embarks on and completes major renovation works. The installation of a lift, ambulant facilities and a number of other improvements makes Cottage accessible to children of all abilities. Just three days after we received the occupancy permit for the new building, we welcomed our first group of children back onsite for a program.
2021 – Cottage by the Sea mourns the loss, and honours the memory, of Patron Frank Costa AO.
As Cottage moves into the future, it continues to operate as a not-for-profit, self-funded children’s charity that receives no government funding. As a result, it relies entirely upon the generous support of donors, Branches, volunteers, businesses and community groups, trusts and foundations.
2022 – Media personality Rebecca Maddern is named Cottage by the Sea Patron.
2022 – Cottage by the Sea partners with Victorian builder ABN/Boutique Homes to build a charity home for Cottage. The auction raised $1.39 million in clear funds, which was allocated towards the Riptide redevelopment.
2023 – Deakin University publishes a research study on Cottage’s Take a Break program, titled “The Difference ‘Take a Break’ Makes”.
2023 – Cottage by the Sea wins the Medium to Large Business of the Year Award at the Geelong Business Excellence Awards. As a not-for-profit charity offering life-changing programs for children, going through a “business” assessment allowed Cottage to improve on how it delivers that service to children.
2024 – Cottage’s longest-running fundraiser – the Annual Fair – has now been operating for 100 years.
2024 – The rebuild of Riptide Cottage commences.
2024 – Deakin University publishes another research study evidencing the medium- to long-term impacts of Cottage by the Sea programs, titled "The Impact of Cottage by the Sea: From Ripples to Waves".
2025 – Cottage by the Sea reaches the greatest number of participants ever this financial year – 1,862.
2026 – Cottage's Annual Fair raises a record-breaking amount: $103,000.
2026 – Cottage's new Riptide facility officially opens, officiated by Deakin University’s new Chancellor, Claire Higgins, and Cottage Chair Scott Chapman AM. Riptide can support up to 700 more children each year on programs in addition to offering respite for families in need.
2026 – A new article through our research partnership with Deakin University has been published: "Turning Points for Children Experiencing Vulnerabilities: The Role of Outdoor Adventure".
2026 – Boutique Homes/ABN Group builds a second charity home for Cottage.