Michaela Meade
The Good Friday Appeal charity house has sold for a record $903,000.
The house in Wollert’s Rathdowne estate sold at a public auction on Friday. The house was donated by builder Henley, while Villawood gifted the block of land and tradesmen donated their time to build the property. All proceeds from the sale go towards the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Epping locals Zaklina, Drage and Natasha Lazarovski secured the winning bid in front of a crowd of hundreds.
Ms Lazarovski said, “My husband and daughter saw the house earlier but today’s the first time I’ve seen it… it’s incredible, it’s excellent.”
The two-storey, fully furnished Vogue 34 home was auctioned by Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s auctioneer of the year Andy Reid.
Henley Homes chief executive Antony Blackshaw said the selling price was a fantastic result and everyone involved in the build would be pleased.
“Every person connected to the charity home build, from Henley Homes and Villawood to all the trades and suppliers, have a personal connection to the cause, or are very aware of the significant work and service the Royal Children’s Hospital provides,” Mr Blackshaw said.
“When it comes to generosity, you don’t have to look further than our amazing team, trades and suppliers, who year after year continue to support the construction and delivery of a beautiful family home to auction, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the appeal.
“Their contribution to the project is invaluable.”
Villawood Properties chief executive Alan Miller said it was great to have the auction in person after being forced to go to tender last year during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s been great to be back with a live auction and a big crowd with everyone able to really appreciate the great effort that everyone’s gone to, to produce the house,” he said.
“The excitement of the live auction is great for the Good Friday Appeal itself, too.
“It’s not just the fantastic money that’s raised but it’s also about the amazing goodwill we see on the day with everyone out again rattling tins, and in the months of preparation leading up to it.
“So many people take part in this great cause.”
