Good Home Auction

WINNING BIDDER DELIGHTED TO HELP KIDS: ‘I SPENT MY SAVINGS ON SUCH A GOOD CAUSE’

By Ruby Stewart and Tom Bowden

SA’s vulnerable children have 973,000 reasons to smile today, as The Advertiser Foundation’s Good Home at Oakden sold under the hammer on Saturday – the highlight of a massive family fun day put on by Villawood.

The brand new, fully furnished property at 24 Bluegum Way, Oakden, sold for $973,000. The entire proceeds of the auction were donated by Villawood Properties and Weeks Homes and their suppliers to help children.

The sale supports six SA children’s charities – the Childhood Cancer Association, Kickstart for Kids, the Sammy D Foundation, Backpacks 4 SA Kids, the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation’s family support program, and Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation with Raising Literacy Australia.

To celebrate both the auction and the grand opening of Oakden Rise’s display village, Villawood hosted a free family fun day on Saturday, complete with food, show rides, mini golf, a petting zoo, an appearance from Bluey and more.

The lucky buyer, Deepa Jha said she was still “taking it all in” after an intense bidding war with another keen auction attendee.

“I’m happy that I got the property and more happy that the cause the money’s going for – it is something that will stay with me for my life,” the Adelaide local said.

“I spent my savings on such a good cause.”

The mum of two said she planned to pass the property on to her daughters.

“I think they will be very happy to get some independence from me and live here,” Ms Jha said.

“I like the (house’s) design, the floor plan … everything has been set out very nicely.

“I (wouldn’t) envision having a double garage with this size of land, it’s small, so I think it’s been very well thought over and the furniture and internal furnishings are really good.”

Before the public auction, excitement was in the air with representatives from each of the six charities crossing their fingers for a successful result.

With live music pumping and plenty of entertainment available for kids, the sunny northern suburbs street was crowded with curious onlookers and determined bidders all looking to get in on the fun.

Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Verity Gobbett said she was feeling “so grateful” to be involved in the Good Home project.

“For our charity it will mean that more families who are experiencing extreme financial hardship because of their child’s hospitalisation will be able to be supported through our family support program,” Ms Gobbett said.