General News
11 May, 2023
Respite farm ready to expand services
A local respite farm is proving Maryborough does disability care best — and could become a hub for disability-centred services — with the business now looking to expand its accommodation to meet an ever-growing demand. An Australian-first model...

A local respite farm is proving Maryborough does disability care best — and could become a hub for disability-centred services — with the business now looking to expand its accommodation to meet an ever-growing demand.
An Australian-first model, Chris and Julie’s Respite Farm opened in Daisy Hill in 2011 providing fully supported farm stays for adults with a disability, and has proved extremely popular to the delight of owners Julie and Chris Gilbertson.
“That I know of, this has never been done in this model before. We live here on the farm and guests come and stay for anywhere from three days, to three weeks, to three months,” Julie said.
“Chris and I actually dated in our 20s, then went our separate ways. When we were 40 we found each other again — Chris had the farm and I’d worked in disability for 20 years, and there was nothing like this around, so I suggested we open a respite farm. He was a bit shocked at first because he wasn’t in the field but it’s just grown and grown since then.
“There are a lot of similar models now, it’s been amazing to see the industry grow — probably 90 percent of businesses have called us and asked how we do it.”
Clients come to the farm from as far as Warracknabeal and Warrnambool, with the business offering a relaxing farm-style experience at the main home and adjacent cottage, with an inground pool and the recently opened Discovery Barn filled with activities and sensory spaces, and of course plenty of animals to interact with including rabbits, chickens, miniature horses, alpacas and sheep.
“When setting up, we tried to design it so families had the confidence they didn’t need to worry about anything — part of our service is that we pick up and drop off the clients, it’s just one less thing families have to worry about,” Julie said.
Chris and Julie have now set their sights on offering permanent accommodation, recently submitting a proposal to council to build four new houses on their 20-acre property.
“We want to create a permanent option, particularly for young people who’ve had road trauma or a disability who are unfortunately now living in aged care homes because there’s nowhere else to go,” Julie said.
“There has been a push by the state and federal governments to house these younger people in places more suited to their age groups.
“We can currently host eight clients at a time, but if we get approval, that’ll be an extra 30 people we can house. We’ve got the land, the houses would be designed to suit the environment and create a home-like space rather than a sterile environment, and wouldn’t be bordering on neighbours.”
Julie said the push to set up permanent accommodation comes from concerned parents and family members.
“A lot of our guests who live at home with their family, their parents are really concerned about what will happen to their kids once they pass away,” she said.
“There’s not a lot of options for people who don’t have other family members who can help.
“There really needs to be a lot more discussion about putting in infrastructure for Supported Independent Living.
“It’s a problem for our young people who are ending up in aged care homes because there’s nowhere else to go.
“If we get this development, that’s 30 families who no longer have to worry about their children’s future.”
Chris and Julie say the expansion would also bring long-term benefits to the town economically and through employment opportunities.
“There’s a lot of infrastructure being put into Maryborough in terms of disability services which is fantastic, and this expansion would be quite a substantial thing for the town,” she said.
“It creates more job opportunities. We’ve now got 10 employees but we could easily probably triple that.
“It’s really vital people are trained well and have stable employment, especially in rural towns.
“We have Asteria Services which is great but we could really do with another day service here.
“We’re hoping some of the bigger players in the disability sector will start looking at Maryborough as an opportunity.”
Clients who stay at the respite farm also put money back into the community, regularly enjoying local cafes and restaurants, tourism activities, and the local Paramount Theatre, as well as visiting further afield at locations like the Clunes Bottle Museum.
Chris and Julie’s Respite Farm is holding an open day this Saturday, May 13, from 11 am to 1 pm at 60 Taggart Drive, Daisy Hill.