The Mount Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group (MASARG Inc.) is an independent, registered, not for profit charitable organisation started in 2008 by carers in Castlemaine, a regional town in the Mount Alexander Shire region of Central Victoria.

The group has two priority projects and is seeking funding contributions and support to bring these into fruition. The first of these is to construct a purpose built Respite /Community house on beautiful undulating land generously gifted by a local farming family in December 2011.

Since 2010, MASARG has been focussing its efforts, undertaking a feasibility study and business planning to establish the financial support required to build, run and maintain the much-needed respite facility, which once in operation will be self-funding.

Fundraising is now underway for part one, see how you can be involved here.

A strong demand

There is a strong demand for a local Respite/Community house and purpose built accommodation facilities. At least 47 families would benefit from a local respite service for people with disabilities in Castlemaine.

“….caring for my daughter takes a lot of my time; she needs my help for lots of things like dressing and showering. I just need a break from being two people all the time: two people’s hair to wash, two people’s teeth to clean…”
Robyn, parent carer for thirty years

Some of the MASARG members have been full-time carers, without a break for thirty to forty years. The proposed Respite/Community house will provide carers and families with just that – a break – and in doing so, assist their capacity to continue in the caring role for as long as possible.

An urgent need

There is an urgent need for appropriate, purpose-built long-term accommodation. Many of the region’s carers are reaching an age where they will no longer be able to continue as a carer fulltime. A pressing concern is that there will be nowhere suitable within the area for their loved ones to go.

“When you are caring for a child with a disability, you don’t like to think about the future but it’s terribly, terribly important that you do…”
Bill and Theresa, parent carers for more than forty years

The number of carers seeking respite and accommodation services is increasing each year and will continue to do so in the future. A four-year waiting list currently exists for respite in the nearest regional centre, thirty-five kilometres away from Castlemaine.

A safe and inclusive community facility

There is also strong interest from other groups and organisations that are seeking a similar, safe, and appropriate facility for the region’s most vulnerable people, including several Castlemaine health services, Windarring - Central Highland Association for People with Disabilities Inc. and Baptcare.

Help us meet these challenges and priorities

MASARG Inc has identified two priority projects that it is working towards:

1. The first of these is to construct a purpose built Respite /Community house on the land donated in December 2011 which will accommodate up to four people with a disability which will be accessible seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.                
Timeframe: Completion by December 2012

2. To construct purpose built accommodation units in Castlemaine for six people with disabilities who choose, or are unable to continue living at home.               
Timeframe: Completion by December 2014

MASARG requires substantial funds to support the project, see how you can be involved here