Good Friday auction gives again for RCH

VILLAWOOD and Henley Properties have handed a $633,000 cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital after again auctioning a house for the hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.
A large crowd came to Villawood’s Trillium community in Mickleham for the festive occasion and to witness the bidding contest for Henley’s Emperor Belle Q1 home.
As in previous years, the full amount garnered at the no-reserve auction was donated to the hospital.
Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe said the result was the highlight of a great day.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the result and just so pleased to be able to hand over yet another sizeable cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“It’s the culmination of a great collective effort and to see the home bought by a lovely family makes it even more gratifying.
“It really encapsulates what we aim to achieve at Villawood Properties, whether through the communities we create or through our philanthropic endeavours.”
Villawood donated the land and Henley built the home, with the donated help of about 400 tradespeople and suppliers.
Bellarine Property managing director Christian Bartley conducted the auction, won by bidders Joe and Houda Elsikmani.
The couple said they were thrilled at their purchase, having been won over by the home and the Trillium estate at the first viewing. “We’re just so pleased to have been successful in bidding for this beautiful home in this amazing community. The fact it’s for such a worthy cause makes it even more special.
“Once we inspected the house we knew it was the one for us. It is just such a beautiful home. Perfect for what we needed.”
The Craigieburn couple will look to move their growing family into their luxury new home as soon as possible.
The auction was the centrepiece of the community event, with the day also featuring entertainment, food, rides and appearances by contestants from Channel Seven’s My Kitchen Rules.