A huge crowd attended a charity house auction at VicUrban’s Tenterfield estate at Burnside Heights today, raising the highest amount so far for a Henley home in the Royal Children’s Hospital charity auction.

For the fifteenth year, VicUrban, Henley Properties and their subbies and suppliers delivered one of the largest single donations to the Good Friday Appeal through a no reserve auction of a house and land package for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The auction drew a crowd of more than 700 people, resulting in a record sale of $502, 000, with every cent going to the kids.

Campaign spokesperson, Brownlow medallist and youth campaigner, Jim Stynes, congratulated successful purchasers, Pat and Doris Garofalo on their new luxury four bedroom Henley home at Tenterfield.

“Community support here today for the Good Friday Appeal has been terrific with a real turnout from the community to support The Royal Children’s Hospital.

“It’s fantastic that for 15 years, 100’s of subbies and suppliers have joined with two property industry giants to make a difference for sick kids,” said Mr Stynes.

The Garofalos have regularly attended the charity house auctions each Good Friday and just missed out last year at VicUrban and Henley’s home in Cairnlea.

“This year we found it was the exact Henley house plan we were looking for and arranged our finance early to buy on the day,” said Ms Garofalo.

The excited purchasers were supported by family and friends during the hotly contested auction which saw 57 bids. Hocking Stuart auctioneer Scott McElroy donated $2000 of his own money, helping to take the winning bid over the $500 thousand mark, to $502,000.

Mr Garofalo commented he was looking forward to getting rid of his lawn mower once they moved into the 43.1 square metre home that includes artificial grass in the front and back yard.

VicUrban CEO Pru Sanderson thanked the local Tenterfield community, many of whom had attended the auction as well as the tradespeople and suppliers who donated their time, energy and resources to the project.

“The crowds here today at Tenterfield demonstrate community interest in a good cause. This is an example of how the building industry can join forces and make a difference for sick kids,” said Ms Sanderson.

Henley Properties Managing Director, Peter Hayes, said: “Henley is delighted to once again support the Appeal through our charity auction. We chose ‘The Wilshire’ because it features superb design, outstanding neighbourhood appeal and, thanks to the generosity of subbies, suppliers and friends of Henley Properties, a host of other quality features.”

The proceeds of past Good Friday Appeals helped the Royal Children’s Hospital become one of the leading children’s hospitals in the world which is great news for all Victorians.

Further information please contact:
Caroline Baldwin
VicUrban Communications Manager
Mob: 0400 508 748

Katherine Anthony
Henley Properties
Mob: 0413 202 080

Royal Children Hospital Charity Appeal Auction Facts:
No Reserve Charity Auction 12 pm, Good Friday, March 21 2008
The Henley and VicUrban sponsorship of the Good Friday Appeal has been going for 15 years, raising over $6.3 million 28 homes donated during that time

Address: 54 Tenterfield Drive, Burnside Heights 3023 (off Taylors Rd),
Mel Ref: 13B8

This luxurious 4 bedroom home is 43.1 squares in size on a 570sqm block, complete with landscaping and the following:
CaesarStone Benchtops
D’amani 900mm Stainless Steel Upright Cooker
D’amani Stainless Steel Dishwasher
D’amani900mm Stainless Steel Canopy Rangehood
Café Mixer
Franke Sink
Glass Splashback
Imperial Ware Vanity Basins with Nuova Mixer Tapware
Nuova Shower Mixer
Carina Bath
Gas ducted heating
Evaporative cooling
Combination of timber, tiled and carpeted floors
Jetmaster outdoor fireplace
Grand Hall BBQ
Artificial grass

The home:
One of Henley Properties Group’s most popular luxury homes, ‘The Wilshire’ was auctioned. The stunning 43 square double storey design features four bedrooms. The main bedroom includes WIR, ensuite with his and hers vanity units and balcony access. Other features of the home include tiled kitchen with stainless steel appliances and glass splashback, gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling, timber floors, tiles and carpets, Timber shutters to the front façade and selected windows, 5 Star energy rating, double garage, landscaping surrounding the home including a driveway and artificial grass, and a large outdoor alfresco dining area with a Jetmaster outdoor fireplace so the home owner can enjoy this entertaining space all year round.

Location:
The home is located in one of VicUrban’s most successful and thriving communities, Tenterfield in Burnside Heights. Tenterfield is VicUrban’s multi-award winning development with a magnificent open space corridor of wetlands, open grassy expanses, a landscaped lake and parks providing a range of recreational opportunities.