Corporate News

Geelong was buzzing with excitement, as the 2025 Good Friday Appeal Auction House sold under the hammer in front of an electric crowd, raising a record $1,150,500 for The Royal Children’s Hospital

After a nail-biting 22-bid contest, Maddison Leubker from Point Cook emerged as the proud new owner of the stunning, fully furnished and professionally landscaped Juno 442-D48 home, built by Henley, with the invaluable support from volunteers trades and suppliers, on land donated by Villawood Properties.

The no-reserve auction, a highlight of the GFA calendar, saw several bidders vying for the luxury four-bedroom, double-storey Henley home in Villawood’s award-winning Armstrong community in Mount Duneed.

Maddison said she and husband Rheace, parents to two-year-old Mia, had been looking around the Armstrong area for the past year but she was left almost speechless by her win in the tightly-contested auction. “I don’t know what to say,” she said, immediately after the record result. “I think my husband’s in shock. He called me and asked ‘How are we going? I said ‘We just spent a whole lot of money!’”The couple’s new home is just 10 minutes from Maddison’s parents, Sandy and Colin Eade, in Torquay. “It hasn’t settled in just yet but I’m very excited,” she said.

Tindi Sorbera, General Manager, Marketing, Henley, said auction day always brings an overwhelming sense of pride for the entire Henley community. “Each year, this project highlights the incredible potential when people come together for a greater cause. Achieving a record-breaking sale, surpassing last year’s $1.11 million, is the cherry on top! To every tradie, supplier, volunteer, and the Henley and Villawood teams, thank you. Your contributions will profoundly impact and save the lives of our most precious little ones.”

Rory Costelloe, Executive Director, Villawood Properties, said Armstrong Mount Duneed was chosen for its vibrant, family-friendly lifestyle and award-winning amenities. “The home has absolutely everything a family needs. It’s right next door to Club Armstrong with its swimming pools, gym, sports courts and café. Mirrapoa Primary School is over the road from the club. Next door is Poa Banyul Community Hub with kindergarten, maternal and child health services and more. “There’s the Mount Duneed Village with its IGA and specialty stores, Bunjil’s Nest district park directly opposite and the Armstrong Creek nature reserve and walking tracks. “There’s public transport buses, Waurn Ponds station is 1 km away and everything Geelong has to offer – plus the Surf Coast 10 minutes away and access to the Great Ocean Road and some of Australia’s very best beaches and resorts. “It just doesn’t come any better.”

Rebecca Cowan, GFA Executive Director, says, “The Charity House Auction supported by Henley Homes and Villawood Properties is one of the most important fundraising activities in the Good Friday Appeal calendar. “This year, Henley marks 33 years of building beautiful family homes and Villawood marks 16 years of donating land in the most welcoming of communities. We cannot thank enough the hundreds of trades and suppliers who generously donate their time and resources to this incredible project.”

This is the 46th Good Friday Appeal home, and the 81st charity home built and donated by Henley as part of its wider philanthropy program. The combined effort of Henley, Villawood and a small army of trades and suppliers has raised millions to support vital care, research and equipment at The Royal Children’s Hospital.