The Mallacoota Wilderness Collective has celebrated a strong year, highlighted in the organisation’s 2025 Annual Report.
The Wilderness Collective officially announced the outright purchase and renovation of its headquarters at 56 Maurice Avenue, a move leaders say ensures the town “owns its future.”
The acquisition was made possible by a massive community effort that raised more than $800,000.
The funding was a hybrid of philanthropic support and local determination, with 52 per cent coming from individual donations and 18 per cent generated through the Collective’s own co-working revenue.
Founded by five local women in the wake of the fires, the Wilderness Collective was designed to address systemic vulnerabilities in the remote town, such as over-reliance on seasonal tourism and limited employment opportunities.
“Reflecting on 2025 raises a host of emotions,” executive officer and co-founder, Paris Brooke wrote.
“At the forefront is immense gratitude and pride to the extraordinary women behind this organisation who took a huge risk to pull off the purchase of a main street building for the future benefit of our community.”
The “Hub” has been renovated to high sustainability standards, featuring updated electrical systems, rooftop solar panels and battery backup, ensuring the facility remains functional even during regional power instabilities.
The Collective’s mission to foster an entrepreneurial culture is already yielding measurable results.
According to the 2025 report, the organisation has:
– Supported the development or re-launch of nine new businesses in town.
– Provided mentoring and coaching to 30 individuals.
– Welcomed 32 businesses through various skills programs.
– Enabled 20 students to participate in the Social Enterprise Schools program at Mallacoota P-12 College.
Beyond business development, the Hub has become a vital social and educational utility.
The Study Hub provides 24/7 access for local students undertaking higher education, while the backyard “micro-village” recently welcomed its first commercial tenant, Studio65 hairdressing.
Despite its remote location, the Collective has emerged as a national voice for rural entrepreneurship.
In 2025, the team traveled more than 11,800 kilometres to advocate for Mallacoota at 11 national events, podcasts and documentaries.
“Community asset ownership is catalytic,” chair and co-founder, Meg Allan wrote.
“When communities hold the keys to their own places, they unlock far more than buildings. They unlock investment, build resilience, and create conditions where collaboration and innovation can take root.”
The Collective is not slowing down – the organisation has announced that 2026 will be the year of activation, highlighted by the launch of Remote Microenterprises Australia (RMA).
This initiative, which completed a successful pilot in 2025 with women from Omeo, Orbost, and Mallacoota, is designed to support remote entrepreneurs across the country using the lessons learned in East Gippsland.
As the Wilderness Collective moves into its new phase, its leadership remains focused on a singular vision: creating a thriving, year-round economy for the community they love.
