Walk Against Homelessness participants
Encountering plenty of rain, mud and leeches along the way, sixteen property and construction leaders completed a two-day trek through Queensland’s Scenic Rim to raise funds and awareness for Australia’s growing youth homelessness crisis.
The two-day trek, Walk Against Homelessness, has smashed it goal and raised nearly $280,000 for the Property Industry Foundation’s largest youth housing project, Haven House South Dowling, which will provide an additional 19-bedrooms where young people can rebuild their lives.
Deborah Coakley, Executive General Manager, Funds Management, Dexus, who took part in the walk, said the torrential rain made it difficult.
“It rained the entire time,” she said. “Which means we had challenges ahead of us just crossing certain roads and bridges.”
Despite that, Ms Coakley said she had fun.
“We had a great time, she said. “But we were really dirty and really smelly when we got back and the stories about leeches are not made up, they were falling from the sky, But we were just flicking them off ourselves and kept on going.”
Michael O’Brien, Managing Director, QIC Real Estate also enjoyed the challenging walk, and said the fundraising aspect became very competitive.
Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills emphasised how the commitment and collective action of the Walk Against Homelessness participants will make a long-lasting, positive impact on the lives of thousands of Australia’s vulnerable youth.
“The dedication of our industry leaders to raise funds and awareness will go a long way in the construction of Haven House South Dowling – our largest youth housing project to date,” Ms Mills said.
“Walk Against Homelessness was a great opportunity for industry leaders to actively contribute to solutions by raising funds and awareness to shelter Australia’s most vulnerable.”
Walk Against Homelessness participants included:
- ADCO Managing Director Neil Harding
- AMP Capital Global Head of Real Estate Kylie O’Connor
- CBRE CEO Phil Rowland
- Charter Hall Office CEO Carmel Hourigan
- Construction Assignments Managing Director Drenka Andjelic
- Dexus Executive General Manager Funds Management Deborah Coakley
- GPT Group CEO and Managing Director Bob Johnston
- Investa CEO Peter Menegazzo
- Lendlease CEO Dale Connor
- Lendlease Group Head of Investments Penny Ransom
- Manulife Senior Director, Asia Real Estate Investments Kiki Lai
- Property Council of Australia CEO Ken Morrison
- Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills
- Property Industry Foundation National Head of Engagement Claudia Ferrari
- Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) Managing Director Michael O’Brien
- Stockland CFO Alison Harrop
- VFMC Head of Property Peter King