Cricket legend Steve Waugh returned to Wollert at the weekend for a bout of backyard cricket and some gardening at the Renee II, the first Victorian house built by AV Jennings for his namesake charity.
The Renee II was named in honour of Steve Waugh Foundation ambassador Renee Eliades, 21, who suffers from a rare disease called geleophysic dysplasia, which hampers the development of bones in the body.
The house at Lyndarum – a 2600-lot development in Melbourne’s north – will be auctioned early next year. All proceeds will go to the foundation.
“Renee is an amazing young adult and her story of courage is inspiring,” said Waugh, who visited the site on October 22 to lay the house’s foundation. Construction is almost finished, all that remains to be done is the addition of a final coat of paint and garden landscaping.
During a community garden party, Waugh wasted little time starting on some gardening with the help of AV Jennings staff and friends and family of the Wollert community. Pupils from Epping Views Primary School were later treated to a game of cricket with the legendary batsman.
A huge canvas featuring the pupils’ handprints, as well as those of Waugh and Eliades, will be hung on a wall inside the Renee II upon completion.
The special occasion fell within Social Inclusion Week, which encourages people to reconnect and fully take part in society, and it was emceed by the ABC’s Coodabeen Champions star Greg Champion.
Whittlesea council and AV Jennings also took the chance to unveil a new communal vegetable garden.
Renee II’s sale, early next year, is hoped to rival the first foundation home sold on the NSW central coast in February; that netted $420,000. The foundation has raised more than $6.5 million and helped more than 450 Australian families.
