From ruin to redemption: Galong's visionary winner of 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year award

The Farm in Galong doesn’t announce itself with grand gates or bold signage. Instead, it emerges from the pastoral quiet of the NSW Hilltops region as a place of understated transformation — a retreat where women confront the burdens of addiction, trauma and family violence.

This unassuming former convent has become a symbol of hope, led by the vision and tenacity of Kate Cleary who this week was honoured with the title of 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year, a plaudit that echoes the profound impact of her work.

Seven years ago, The Farm was little more than a neglected rural relic, its potential obscured by years of disrepair.

But Kate, a former social worker, could see beyond the crumbling buildings to the possibility of a sanctuary where women could rebuild their lives.

Enlisting the help of retired Sydney builder Ron Natoli, together the pair rallied a community of volunteers — carpenters, electricians, plumbers and everyday citizens — to restore the property and its surrounding 10 acres.

By 2019, The Farm had reopened its doors as an accredited rehabilitation centre, offering a rigorous 12-month program — which combines study, therapy and life skills training — designed to help women recover, heal and thrive in the outside world.

Offering a quiet and secluded environment away from the pressures of modern urban life, The Farm has seen around 8o women and their children pass through the doors in the past five years.

“Not everyone has been successful, but we have had this very high success in having people not relapsing because of the restorative effect of having their children with them,” Kate said.

That emphasis on family renders The Farm unique.

“One particularly tragic effect is the removal of children from their parents,” Kate said. “So many of the women who come to the centre arrive with their children.”

She said those children were often the silent victims of trauma.

“By focusing on the whole family unit, The Farm not only helps women regain stability but also fosters intergenerational healing,” she said.

The program’s success stories are as inspiring as they are diverse.

One graduate, a mother of four who initially arrived with only her baby, managed to regain custody of all her children after embracing the program’s teachings.

Another woman, once a fixture in courtrooms due to her troubled youth, discovered a passion for law while at The Farm.

She completed a paralegal course and now works at a boutique legal firm in Canberra, a transformation so remarkable it was chronicled in a law society journal.

These outcomes are no accident. The Farm’s approach is both intensive and innovative, says Kate.

“Therapy sessions address the root causes of trauma, while cognitive behavioural therapy equips women with tools to manage their emotions and actions,” she said.

Beyond emotional healing, the program instills practical skills and fosters independence, preparing residents for life outside its gates.

“The old lifestyle they’d been living wasn’t working, and most of them admit to that,” Kate explains. “Here, we’re training them for life experiences they’ve never had — from cooking and cleaning to taking responsibility for their actions.”

Residents run the facility themselves and even teach classes as they progress through the program. The Farm’s work extends beyond the 12-month residential program and, to that end, plans are already underway for a transition house to provide an additional year of supported living for women reintegrating into society.

“The idea is to provide a smoother transition back into the community, with continued support as the women navigate employment and parenting responsibilities,” Kate said.

There’s also a proposal to convert an old school building on the property into a child therapy centre to address the unique challenges faced by children reuniting with their mothers, many of whom exhibit behavioural issues stemming from prolonged separation and instability.

The centre will not only offer therapy but will also train mothers to become their children’s primary support system, further strengthening familial bonds.

Kate says The Farm’s success would be impossible without its dedicated network of volunteers.

“The team’s generosity and selflessness creates an atmosphere of compassion and care that profoundly affects residents,” she said.

Kate recounted the story of a long-term heroin user moved to tears as she watched volunteers work in the garden: “She said, ‘Are they doing this for me?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’

“It touched something deep within her;” Kate said, “just that difference in that these people just care about you, they’re not being paid is having an effect on the client.”

Despite its achievements, The Farm’s journey has not been without challenges.

Financial constraints limit the number of women the centre can accommodate and the scope of services it can offer.

“The more funding we have, the more qualified staff we can hire, and the more lives we can touch,” Kate said.

Hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate individuals and teams who dedicate their time to improving their communities.

Kate’s award – recognising individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and create lasting, positive change in their communities – was presented during a gala ceremony in Sydney which capped a series of 25 regional events across NSW honouring thousands of volunteers from diverse backgrounds.

She admitted she was shocked, but she hoped the accolade would bring greater awareness and support to The Farm.

“It’s a great acknowledgment of the work we do,” she said, “which is giving people a second chance, breaking cycles of trauma and showing what’s possible with support and belief.”

She said it also honoured the women and the courage and fortitude they demonstrated just by committing to the program.

“Every woman who comes through our doors has a story of resilience,” Kate said. “They inspire us as much as we hope to inspire them.”

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, who nominated Kate for the award, praised her for her extraordinary vision and dedication.

“I’ve had the privilege of visiting The Farm on several occasions and witnessing firsthand the profound impact Kate and her dedicated team are making. Their work is transforming lives, creating opportunities for recovery, and fostering hope for women and their families,” she said.

“Her unwavering commitment to supporting women impacted by trauma and helping them rebuild their lives is truly exceptional.”