Ranch 2.0
In May 2025 the Mornington Community Support Centre was generously provided a block of seven, two bedroom units, in central Mornington, to be used for crisis accommodation, the only such facility on the Mornington Peninsula.
The Units were purchased by two Foundations: Payton and Upotipotpon, and are provided to MCSC under a five year lease, at no cost. The building quickly became known as the Ranch 2.0, as the closure of the existing Ranch Motel operated by MCSC for the last 4 years, was imminent.
When the property was purchased, Mornington Rotary Club, who are long term supporters of MCSC, stepped forward to manage the refurbishment of the units. Mornington Rotary Club were also sponsors of the Ranch documentary. Thay were quickly joined by Mt.Martha Rotary Club and members of Frankston Rotary Club.
Volunteers from MCSC also came forward and nurses from Frankston Hospital (Peninsula University Hospital ) wanted help with some of the painting.
The objective was very simple, to ensure that all clients who arrived at the Ranch 2.0 were delighted with their new homes.
The first three units became available almost immediately after settlement as existing private tenants’ leases concluded and they moved out.
At a minimum all units needed plaster patching, repainting, and most needed new carpets, new window coverings, some electrical, carpentry and plumbing work, some retiling and tile repair.
Several needed a new kitchen and others needed old gas heaters replaced with modern split system air conditioners. Of course they all needed to be furnished.
Mornington Rotary approached local businesses, many of whom were already part of the Rotary network and contributors to our community. Mornington Rotary and MCSC would like to thank:
Bunnings Mornington our local store, provided everything from storage sheds to kitchen and laundry items for clients.
Choices Flooring by Smiths who supplied all the Interface carpet and laid it
Dollar Curtains and Blinds Mornington or all the window furnishings
Dulux and Paint Spot Mornington who supplied all the paint, and it was a lot, plus the materials and equipment. They even sent a crew to help with the painting.
Electrical initial work on the first unit was done by Empower Electrical and subsequent work by Eastern Bay Electrical including certification, replacing light fittings, and wiring ACs and smoke alarms. Actrol supplied an AC installed by Air Master.
Gas Compliance and disconnection was by Combined Gas Compliance. There was also help from Copperfox Plumbing
Harvey Norman Mornington donated a range of electrical items and provided the whitegoods at very concessional prices.
Mainline Developments who replaced some large north and west facing windows, where the timber frames had rotted beyond repair. They also supplied and installed the replacement kitchens
Mornington Men’s Shed replaced the letterbox.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, already a major funder of MCSC, came to the party by processing the necessary permit in rapid time, offering a rates concession and tip passes.
Plumbing work was done by Mt. E Plumbing and Copperfox.
A major contributor has been Repower, a volunteer organisation, assisting our community to transition to renewable energy. They arranged a heat pump from PowrHouse to replace the common gas hot water system, and it was installed by Want a Sparky. Thompson Electrical supplied and installed an oven. Repower also supplied two air conditioners that were installed by Powerband.
The Rotary Club of Sorrento provided a grant to enable installation of security cameras. Mt.Martha Rotary Club made a donation to cover the cost of some of some the materials being used. Rosebud-Rye Rotary helped with the supply of some furniture. The local Rotary District 9815 and Mornington Rotary Club made a grant to cover the cost of white goods and appliances.
Tiling Scouse Tiling did remarkable bathroom, laundry and kitchen tile makeovers, ranging from deep cleaning to regrouting and sealing to entire replacement . Tiles and materials were all supplied by Ultimate Tiles Mornington.
During October a further three units’ leases expired and again the crew from the Rotary Clubs of Frankston, Mt.Martha, Mornington and MCSC got stuck into their complete refurbishment. They were helped by a crew of teachers on Saturdays from Mt.Eliza Secondary College.
Again all the businesses that had been involved in the first three units willingly contributed again! They were joined by Diacos Nursery Mt.Eliza who supplied some gardening materials and Advance College Nursery Mornington who donated all the plants for some garden improvement.
On Wednesday October 2025, about 130 people came together in Mornington for a dinner to recognise and celebrate all these contributions.
By Christmas the three additional units were complete and clients of MCSC moved in for a happier Christmas.
If you would like to make a contribution to cover expensesn to date and future costs please donate via the link above.
The Ranch Documentary
In 2022, MCSC and Peninsula Films recognised there were stories that needed to be listened to. Those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. Those experiencing hardship. Local people.
We began piecing some of those stories together to hear first hand of their experience.
These stories have formed this documentary. MCSC, with our partners Southern Peninsula Community Support, have operated The Ranch crisis accommodation since 2021, and does so with no Government funding. Local community banded together and made it happen. It continues without certainty, and with the constant threat of closure.
The Ranch is a 35 minute film which speaks honestly and authentically.
Our hope is that it will help inform conversations locally, and provide a sense of urgency to policy makers, to create change.
The film premiered on August 5th 2024 at Peninsula Cinema Rosebud to a sellout crowd across two cinemas and has since been selected and won best documentary at the 2025 Peninsula Film Festival.
While the film is being shared and entered into other awards, the full documentary is unavailable for viewing.
Please watch preview clip here below.
The entire project has been completed with no cost to the MCSC thanks to the generosity of all the volunteers, businesses and Rotary Clubs who have contributed everything. Thank you.
There has been no contribution or involvement of State or Federal Government, despite that it will provide around 12,000 unit nights of crisis accommodation in an area where we have one of the countries greatest needs and least alternatives.
There is of course an ongoing need to operate the Ranch 2.0, with costs like utility services and staff.
The story of the refurbishment of the first three units is best told in the booklet put together by Sean Marsh Design which you download here (PDF).
