By JOLENE OGLE
AFTER nine months of fund-raising, the Sunshine Butterflies charity organisation is finally the new owner of its very own hobby farm.
Currently located off Rene Street in Noosaville, Sunshine Butterflies founder Leanne Walsh said the organisation had been looking for a new home where it could expand their services to include animal therapy for children with disabilities.
The five-acre property at 468 McKinnon Drive, Cooroibah, will be transformed into a farm, with Leanne and her family expected to move into the home at the back of the property in four to six weeks to begin the transformation.
“My husband is experienced in landscaping, so we will have this place looking great,” she said.
The property, which will become home to the new Backyard Project, will offer existing programs such as woodwork, art, cooking and music workshops, while introducing an animal care program where members can look after animals to gain basic skills.
Leanne believes the addition of animals to their care program will have a great impact on people with disabilities, helping to relieve stress and anxiety while increasing confidence and self-esteem.
The property will also be used to grow produce to sell and help raise funds, while the home on the property will be renovated into a respite centre for carers and families.
While Leanne wasn’t at the on-site auction for the home on the weekend, she said Sunshine Butterflies chairman Steve McPharlin did a great job bidding for the property on behalf of the charity.
“A special thanks also goes to our gold foundation sponsors who donated $1000 or more, who have made the dream a reality,” she said.
