It has been her home for 32 years. But the family’s needs extended beyond the brick veneer dwelling’s three bedrooms when her grandchildren neared adolescence.

Mrs Castleton, 61, is raising her granddaughter Jayde,10, and grandsons Kobie, 15, and Liam, 9.

Liam has high-functioning autism.

“He needs his own room,” Mrs Castleton said. 

She has been sharing her bedroom with her granddaughter since January 2014 and said it would be unfair for the situation to continue.

“I had a plan in my head of what I was going to do,” she said. 

Mrs Castleton started seeking an extension to “her” house shortly after Jayde moved in, to give each grandchild some space.

“I need to accommodate these kids probably for the rest of my life,” she wrote in a letter appealing for help. 

“All the people and the departments that should be responsible for these children aren’t.

“It is a daily struggle for all of us here and we desperately need help.”

With the assistance of about 30 businesses and organisations, Mrs Castleton has been successful in having two new bedrooms added to the house – one for each of the boys. 

Jayde will move into one of the existing rooms. 

Mrs Castleton wants to share her story to thank all those who have supported the project. 

Getting a public house extended is a rarity in Victoria – the occupant is not the owner of the property, making it difficult to authorise works to be carried out. 

The Department of Health and Human Services could not quantify just how rare a feat the extension was, but congratulated Mrs Castleton on her work.

"Ms Castleton has been a valued tenant and we are delighted to see her reach her goal of extending her property by not one, but two bedrooms,” a spokesperson said.

"The department originally offered to move Ms Castleton to a larger property to cater for her family; however she declined as she wanted to stay in her ‘home’. 

"Ms Castleton sought permission from the department to self-fund the extension which was granted.

The department contributed to the extension by helping with the installation of internal and external fittings.

Mrs Castleton made special mention of Haven Home Safe and J.G. King Homes Bendigo.

“Ken Marchingo was the one who actually got me this house – he was my housing officer,” she said.

Haven Home Safe chief development officer Mario Roccisano helped guide Mrs Castleton throughout the two year endeavour.

J.G. King is helping build much of the project, free of charge.

The extension is expected to be finished by the end of July.

Kobie Castleton said his grandmother’s persistence and perseverance had inspired him. 

“I know she’s given me motivation – she’s shown me if she can push through things, I can too,” he said.