By JOLENE OGLE
IT’S A dream so old, Sunshine Butterflies founder Leanne Walsh can’t remember when she first thought of it, but the wish for a therapy-based hobby farm has been her guiding light for many years.
Leanne has dreamt of a place where children with disabilities can shine through ability, a place where plants will bloom and children will grow, a place where animals can roam and children can learn.
And this year, Leanne’s dream came true.
With their current premises up for sale, Leanne decided to shoot for the stars.
So, with no government funding and a goal of $100,000, Leanne knew she needed to kick their fundraising into overdrive.
Together with her dedicated staff and volunteers, and through the help of local venues, businesses and community members, Leanne worked tirelessly to raise over $100,000 for the Sunshine Butterflies’ hobby farm.
That’s why Noosa Today has no hesitation in naming Leanne Walsh as its 2014 Person of the Year.
Leanne’s hard work and dedication has helped buy the hobby farm that will become a peaceful place for people with disabilities and their family to come and enjoy animal-based therapy along with a range of workshops.
“We knew our building was on the market,” Leanne said.
“So, we needed to look at getting our own place and the vision of a farm has been on the scope for so long.”
Leanne said the vision for the hobby farm is for a community-focused space where everyone can come together and enjoy the land.
Leanne said she has already received interest from a local school who would like to come out one day a week and do a project.
“This will be a really good community project,” she said.
“It will be really inclusive and everyone I’ve talked to has shown a lot of interest. It’s showing the community is working together.”
Most of the land has already been cleared thanks to volunteers, in preparation for the builders to start constructing chicken coops, animal shelters and landscaping will start soon after.
Leanne said it felt “surreal” to finally have the hobby farm.
“I was at a wedding in Byron Bay, so I couldn’t go to the auction, which I was really disappointed about. But thank goodness, having updates on the phone was bad enough and going in and out of reception,” she said.
“I honestly didn’t think we would get it, so I was really surprised.”
When raising funds, Leanne said she received many donations from people she had never met including an anonymous donor who put $1000 wrapped in a newspaper clipping in her letterbox one day.
“It goes to show the power of the paper,” she said.
“It’s in the paper and people read the story and then they want to jump on board the vision.”
Leanne said the organisation’s funds have “dried up” after the purchase, but it’s been worth it when she sees how much the children love the current programs.
“They just come out of their shells,” she said.
“Kids that have been quite withdrawn are now sparkling.
“Programs are about skill building, but it’s more about the social aspect.
“If they can build social skills they can then put their hand to anything because they’re feeling more comfortable and more confident within their circle of friends.
“They’re more likely to go on and enjoy the project they’re doing.
“The kids have been amazing.”
Leanne said this has all been possible thanks to her staff and the Sunshine Butterflies board.
“It’s so important and we’re lucky to have staff who see the vision,” she said.
