🌿 Website Post: Rotary Unites for The Ranch and The Ranch 2.0
Rotary Clubs of Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula come together to support community-led housing solutions
On a wild and windy evening — a fitting backdrop for a discussion about safe shelter — members from Rotary Clubs of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula gathered to hear the powerful story behind The Ranch and its next chapter, The Ranch 2.0.
Led by Ben Smith, CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, the evening explored how a community partnership turned a rundown 1960s motel into life-changing crisis accommodation, and how that model has now expanded into a new purpose-built site, The Ranch 2.0.
💙 From motel to mission: The Ranch
The original Ranch was born out of necessity — a local property developer offered the old Mornington motel for temporary use as emergency housing. Rather than see it sit empty, the Mornington Community Support Centre, backed by Rotary and local partners, transformed it into crisis accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
Since opening its doors over four years ago, The Ranch has supported more than 250 individuals and families, many of whom had nowhere else to turn. The program operates on a “housing-first” model — offering stability and safety first, so that residents can then address employment, health, family and long-term housing goals.
Remarkably, 60% of residents leaving The Ranch transition into permanent housing, a rate nearly three times the national average for crisis accommodation. Each success story represents not just a roof overhead, but a new start in life.
🏡 Building on success: The Ranch 2.0
As the need for crisis accommodation grew, so did the vision. Enter The Ranch 2.0 — a nearby expansion featuring seven independent units that will provide over 12,000 nights of safe accommodation in the next five years.
Already, three of these units are occupied by parents who, through renewed stability, are reconnecting with their children and rebuilding family life. The remaining units will come online as existing tenancies transition to permanent outcomes.
The Ranch 2.0 represents more than additional housing — it’s the evolution of a community model that works. It continues to operate without government funding, powered instead by the collective efforts of volunteers, local service agencies, generous donors, and civic partners like Rotary.
🤝 Rotary’s shared commitment
The joint Rotary meeting highlighted what’s possible when local clubs work together for a common cause. Through both financial support and hands-on volunteering, Rotary has played a key role in the success of both The Ranch and The Ranch 2.0:
Funding & advocacy: Rotary grants and donations helped fund unit conversions, essential furnishings, and emergency supplies — all while amplifying the project’s voice across the community.
Partnerships: Rotarians used their networks to connect the Mornington Community Support Centre with local businesses, foundations and service providers.
Awareness: Rotary helped sponsor the documentary film “The Ranch”, which has since gone on to win over a dozen national film festival awards, capturing hearts and inspiring action across Australia.
🌈 The challenge continues
Ben Smith’s message to the room was clear: “We don’t own the problem, and we can’t wholly own the solution. But when organisations like Rotary come together, we create bridges from crisis to hope.”
With more than 4,000 affordable homes needed on the Mornington Peninsula, and hundreds of residents still sleeping rough or in unsafe housing each night, community partnerships like this are vital.
As both Rotary Frankston and Rotary Mornington Peninsula members agreed, The Ranch and The Ranch 2.0 stand as proof that local action works — and that when compassion meets collaboration, real change happens.
💬 How you can help
Rotary and the Mornington Community Support Centre invite the public to get involved:
Donate or fundraise for The Ranch and The Ranch 2.0
Volunteer time or skills
Advocate for more public and community housing
Share the stories that bring understanding and empathy
Together, we can continue to turn community compassion into practical action — one home, one family, one neighbour at a time.
