Tara Murray
Everyone’s on the tools as the Royal Children’s Good Friday Appeal Charity House takes shape at Wollert.
Going under the hammer in 2021 on April 2 is a 34-square, four-bedroom home, with four living areas, and expansive master suite by Henley Homes, located in Villawood Properties’ boutique Rathdowne community.
Organisers are hoping for a return to the festive open-air house annual auction after this year’s was cancelled due to COVID-19. Despite the setback, the house raised a thumping $790,500 for the appeal.
Good Friday Appeal chair Penny Fowler praised the efforts of the legion of volunteers and donors who poured their hearts into the charity house.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing commitment from Henley and Villawood Properties to support sick children,” Ms Fowler said.
“The Charity Home No Reserve Auction is a highlight on our fundraising calendar and it’s just amazing that so many people either give up their time to work on the property for us, or provide products and services to complete the home.
“Each year we are so thankful for the community’s personal investment to the Good Friday Appeal through their support of the home.”
Henley Homes Victorian building manager Mark Glenn said Victoria’s support for the Good Friday Appeal continues to go from strength to strength.
It’s the 28th year Henley Homes has built and donated a house, with Villawood donating the land for a 12th year.
“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,“ he said.
“Their contribution to the project is invaluable.“
Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe said it was good to be gearing up for another public auction after the 2020 auction was forced to a tender process.
“It will be great to be back with a live auction so we can get a big crowd with everyone able to really appreciate the great effort that everyone’s gone to, to produce the house,“ he said.
Mr Costelloe said the auction was returning to Melbourne’s north where history showed it could deliver a strong result. The current auction record of $860,000 was raised in the north corridor.
Details: gfacharityhouse.com.au/
