Summer 2023/2024 marks ONE WHOLE year for our 2023 leaders and our current directors whilst also being the start for our 2024 leaders - exciting!!
So much has happened since our spring update and we cannot wait for you to read about it.
Grab a hot drink and enjoy!!
WOW!
We know spring was a while ago now but to the team on the ground at Mittagundi, it feels like it was just yesterday and we’ve been super busy ever since! We can’t wait to tell you all about our GARDEN PARTY and ENTERPRISE program along with the 10 day programs and schools we’ve been having in between!
ENJOY!
What a great Winter SUCCESS as Mittagundi has delivered a FULL winter season to hundreds of young people this year! Here’s what happened on and off the property, as snow fell on the valley and the high plains. Boil the kettle or pour yourself a Dal Zotto wine (WINE FUNDRAISER ON NOW)… have a read and we would love any feedback.
We now have a FULL SQUAD of 7 at Mittagundi, yay!! All trained up and ready to get winter underway. Here’s what you may have missed over Autumn! Boil that kettle, grab a cookie or not and put those feet up for a read.
We have six fresh Mittagundian’s on the ground and they have a thing or two to say! So grab a cuppa and have a seat, this one is jam packed with good news!
It has been a while but here is the latest, there is more news to come so please sit tight as we do our best to deliver!!
Dear Mittagundi Community,
Over the past two years, like many non-profit organisations, we have adapted and worked through the challenges and impact of the pandemic.
Thanks to the dedication and generosity of staff, local community and supporters, we have been able to continue to operate and run courses. This has come at no small cost as the spike in prices of everything from food to wages is impacting Mittagundi’s finances.
After careful consideration, Mittagundi Council have had to make a very difficult decision to cancel the majority of the remaining courses between September and December 2022.
We have been actively recruiting for the role of Director over 8 months, and unfortunately have not yet been able to secure someone in this role. This senior leadership role is critical to the safety of operations, overseeing the training and direction of our staff on the ground. Our priority is to provide programs for young people, with a fully staffed team.
We will continue to search for a new Director to join us and welcome any enquiries on this role if it may be of interest. Please share with your networks to help us continue to provide programs at Mittagundi in 2023.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mittagundi Council
It’s getting cold here at the farm, click through to read all the news!
The end of 2021 has seen us back running ten day programs. It has been a busy few months with fantastic groups of young people up at Mittagundi. We’ve been building post and rail fences, re-mudding the directors cabins, and of course heaps of work in the vege garden.
Click through to read more news from the farm.
Mittagundi looks to sell the sheep paddock
20 years ago Mittagundi, with the generous assistance of its community, purchased a block of land at 4405 Omeo Hwy, Glen Valley (known as the sheep paddock). It was purchased to help protect Mittagundi and Glen Valley from unwanted development.
The last 18 months has been a very difficult time for many, Mittagundi included. After much deliberation Mittagundi Council has decided it is time to try and sell the sheep paddock. If successful, the sale would provide funds to help protect from future shocks and allow us to update some of the vital equipment that support our courses.
We also feel that the original purchase has now served its purpose and that the risk of undesirable development in the Valley is low.
Click through for more information.
Spring is in the air at Mittagundi and we are starting to see some blossoms on the fruit trees and the jonquils are flowering around the Director’s hut.
Unfortunately our busy Winter period has been anything but busy this year, having to cancel many of our programs due to COVID lockdowns and restrictions. Mittagundi is a pretty good place to weather the lockdowns and the staff have found many purposeful ways to occupy themselves. Click through to read on in our newsletter:
Mittagundi is back to doing what we do best, running programs with young people. We feel very fortunate to be doing what we are after 2020’s shutdown.
2021 at Mittagundi is set to be a fantastic one with most of our courses up to the end of winter being full already. We will be completing the gear shed renovation pre winter so it's all ready for our winter courses, there’ll be the usual follow-up programs full of keen young people, fences rebuilt, wood chopped and many many content young people departing the farm.
Click through to read all the Autumn news from the farm.
Just like that a year out of the box is coming to an end! I’m sure a lot of you are breathing a sigh of relief and looking forward to heading bush and catching up with family and friends that we’ve all missed this year. We here at Mittagundi are no different, with the Christmas break well earnt!
It seems like an age ago that we ran our one and only program for the year, and in the meantime we’ve been busy adapting to new ways of living and working here. Without young people Mittagundi does not function as well as it should, and that’s why our programs are so meaningful as it's the young people that really makes the place thrive!
2020 at Mittagundi it really has all been about the staff, the place and our community. Read on to see what we have been up to at the farm!
We’ve had some cold and frosty mornings in the depths of a Mittagundi Winter!
Mittagundi has been plodding along these last few months with life on the farm a little quieter without young people on the property. However, we are blessed with wide open spaces, an amazing local community and meaningful tasks to fill our days.
Grab a cuppa and check out our newsletter for all the latest news from the farm.
Mittagundi is incredibly grateful for Freemasons Foundation Victoria, who have recently supported us with a very generous relief grant. This funding is pivotal for our economic survival at a time when courses have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Freemasons Foundation have been long-term supporters of Mittagundi, providing sponsorships for young people to take part in our 10-day Winter programs, and Omeo Freemasons generously provided us financial support for a new horse.
Mittagundi was built by volunteers, with no Government support and would not exist if it wasn’t for the generosity of our team, volunteers and long-term supporters. Almost 20,000 young people have taken part in the Mittagundi experience over the past 40 years.
On behalf of our Council, Directors and staff we sincerely thank the Freemasons Foundation Victoria Board for believing in Mittagundi.
This support will ensure Mittagundi’s future so we can continue to provide life-changing experiences for young people.
Mike Heffernan
Chair
Mittagundi Council
What a year it is shaping up to be, certainly not the year any of us were expecting. Like many of you we have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been put in place to try and contain it’s spread. We are sure it will come as no surprise that we have had to cancel a significant number of this years courses. While it was the only real option, it was nonetheless a sad one to make and given our isolation, it probably surprised our poor staff the most. In spite of a lack of young people, we are exceptionally grateful to the staff who have decided to stay on and continue looking after Mittagundi. We have some big plans for the farm over the next few months which includes: redoing the floor in the Dining Room (thanks termites), renovating the Gear Shed, much fencing, preserving, and continuing the vege garden’s dream run! We all feel very lucky to be able to be here during this time.
We are thinking of our extended community and hope that you are all staying safe and well. We look forward to seeing your faces and hearing your stories sometime soon!
COVID-19 Update - Mittagundi 40 Years On Book Launch Postponed
Thank you for your book purchases and continuing support of Mittagundi.
As you will appreciate the COVID-19 virus pandemic has meant we have all had to take extra measures to look after each other. We are closely monitoring Federal and State Government updates and, as safety is our number one priority, we recently made the tough decision to cancel the next two courses (http://www.mittagundi.org.au/covid19statement) and will shortly review subsequent programs. Additionally, we have decided to postpone the book launch planned for Sunday 29th March.
Mittagundi appreciates your understanding and would like to assure you we look forward to celebrating the book in an event later in the year.
For those that have not ordered a book yet we encourage you to do so now. Course cancellations place greater pressure on our finances. Every book purchased makes a significant contribution to Mittagundi, as well as highlighting the amazing things that Mittagundi has achieved, and with your help, will continue to do in future.
For those that have ordered a big thanks and we will be either mailing your copy or contacting you with regard to collection over the next month.
Hello Everyone!
We are doing ok here and besides the smoke haven't been impacted by the fires at this stage.
However, given all the fire activity in region and the weather that is forecast, we have cancelled our January program that was due to start tomorrow.
As for the Mittagundi Festival that is due to start on the 17th & 18th we are currently looking at alternative options so please hold tight and watch this space.
Much love to you all, especially those in fire affected parts of the state and country - we are thinking of you. Have a read of our latest newsletter to catch up on all the news.
Winter is well and truly here at Mittagundi and we are right in the middle of our Winter programs.
Have a read of our newsletter to catch up on all our news of everything that’s been happening at the farm!
New year, new Directors, new staff team!
A fantastic start to 2019 with some awesome Young People on our Autumn programs. Click below and read the full newsletter.
