About Us
About The Farm
The Farm is a not-for-profit charitable organisation located in country NSW. It was established to support women recovering from alcohol and other drug misuse. The work of the Farm is underpinned by the belief that whatever has been lost in a person's life can be restored.
Our Vision
The Farm in Galong provides a place of restoration for women and children affected by substance abuse. We aim to reunite families and provide a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
Our Values
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Respect
for all in recognition of the inherent dignity of each person
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Awareness
of the need for family, community and participation for life to be meaningful
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Respecting
rights and meeting responsibilities
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Care
for the most vulnerable in our community
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Unity
within our differences: we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers
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Environmental
stewardship
Why The Farm?
The Farm in Galong Ltd was formed to address particular aspects of the problem of drug abuse in the community. Two things were of specific concern and became the focus of the group’s planning: recidivism and the effects of drug use on the user’s family.
One particularly tragic effect is the removal of children from their parents. They believed that a place was needed that provided care for people seeking permanent recovery from substance abuse through the development of constructive and meaningful habits of life. They also felt there was a gap in the provision of women only services to address their specific needs, especially those connected to inter-personal trauma and the removal of their children.
In 2017 the group was offered a convent on three hectares in a beautiful rural setting to use as a rehabilitation facility for women. The site is ideal for the program, offering residents a quiet and secluded environment away from the pressures of modern urban life.
Our History
In 2017 a beautiful three-hectare property and 4 buildings were gifted to The Farm for peppercorn rent, previously having served as an aged care facility and, prior to that, a boarding school. With loving restoration, the buildings and grounds have been transformed to retain the dignity of their heritage while also providing modern comfort. By November 2019 renovation of the main building was sufficient to enable our first intake of clients.
The Social Enterprise
Work is ongoing to cultivate the land, through planting and tending the orchard, vegetable and kitchen herb gardens, flowers, bees for honey, goats, hens and guinea fowl for eggs, and other initiatives including a greenhouse for propagation, water tanks and sustainable permaculture. Working with nature is a key part of the program and provides organic food for consumption by clients, live-in staff members or other workers, with a view to increasing production over time for sale, to help provide a revenue stream for ongoing operations.
Meet the Board
Ron Natoli
It was a chance meeting between the now Chair of the Board, Ron Natoli, and CEO and founder, Kate Cleary, that was to springboard The Farm in Galong into existence. Ron offered his considerable building and construction skills to renovate the property that is now The Farm in Galong.
A background of builders on both sides of his family provided the basis of a building career for Ron whose work includes residential construction, including setting up a number of companies, and property development.
Following a visit to poverty-stricken areas in The Philippines in 2001 he established an NFP humanitarian organisation which was the beginning of many partnerships and associations with like-minded people and organisations, both in Australia and overseas, to source land and provide housing and community development training for the underprivileged. To date three villages have been built which are providing accommodation for over 3,000 people who are now living, working and enjoying a new life.
Kate Cleary
Kate founded the Farm in Galong (2017 – current) while also assisting women in Canberra to access services for drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and associated health problems. (2013 – current). This assistance involved linking them in with the Vinnies outreach workers in their local areas, accompanying them to methadone clinics and medical appointments, being their support person in meetings with Child Protection Services, their next of kin when accessing hospital care, accompanying them to court and visiting them in prison.
As the CEO of the Farm in Galong, Kate has overseen the preparation for opening the facility in November 2019, and the development and delivery of the program thereafter. She is the driving force in hiring staff, supporting clients, and being the community face of The Farm for all stakeholders.
Jane Brooks
Jane’s extensive experience spans corporate services including financial, risk, governance, HR, IT, and operational matters.
Jane has successfully led the strategic implementation and operational leadership and governance including the development of strategic, operational and risk management plans, resulting in substantial growth and planned outcomes.
Jane’s passion for voluntary work sees her apply her business acumen, and understanding of governance, finances, and stakeholder issues enabling organisations to grow and gain greater value from their funding and from strategic alliances to improve the delivery of community services. Jane has been involved in helping the Farm since the start-up phase.
Nyree Ashton
Nyree is a local businesswoman, with offices in Yass and Boorowa. The Farm approached Nyree to assist with the financial side of the operations, and thankfully she agreed.
Nyree is a qualified accountant and financial planner. She has her own public practice accounting firm and financial planning practice and is the financial administrator of The Farm in Galong Limited.
Previously Nyree was a Partner in an accounting firm for 4 years and has worked in public practices for over 25 years.
Nyree has a strong interest in helping clients with a holistic approach to accounting and business needs.
Our Governance
The Farm in Galong Limited is a not-for-profit company, governed by a Constitution and regulated as a charity by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The Farm has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status so donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. The Board has three Committees - a Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, a Fundraising Committee, and a Treatment and Ethics Committee. The Board and Committees meet at least quarterly, with a General Meeting held annually. At each AGM, the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements are tabled for the previous year. The Farm is also a member of the peak body, the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association and of the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies (NADA).