Queensland’s property and construction industry had a cracking day out on the water for the Brisbane Charity Regatta, celebrating 10 years of sailing for homeless youth. The event raised over $135,000 for local building projects that will house and support vulnerable young Queenslanders.
Over 400 industry supporters joined us at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Friday 17 May for the Brisbane Charity Regatta. The Property Industry Foundation’s biggest fundraising event in Queensland raised $135,000 for Queensland’s homeless youth, who make up a shocking 38% of the state’s homeless population.
“It was wonderful to see so many organisations come together to raise funds and set sail for such a worthy cause,” Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills said. “There is a critical need for social and affordable housing solutions in Queensland, and we’re grateful to be able to play a small role in alleviating this pressure for homeless youth with the wider industry’s support.”
Principal Partner, Built, was proud to support the regatta for another year. “It’s a great day of networking with the industry and coming together with our colleagues and industry peers for a fantastic afternoon of sailing, all the while working towards a common goal to raise funds to support homeless youth. Built is always proud to sponsor the Regatta and assist the Foundation in their efforts to create more beds for local youth,” said Christian Adamson, QLD State Manager, Built.
Prior to the race start, participants listened to Aspen, from Bayside Adolescent Boarding Inc, one of the Foundation’s Beneficiary Partners, about their lived experience of homelessness. This brought into sharp focus the importance of an event like the Regatta to provide more beds for vulnerable young people with no-where else to go.
A total of 43 gleaming yachts sailed for homeless youth, a brilliant opportunity for team bonding and catching up with industry friends and colleagues while enjoying top notch food, drinks, and an unbeatable harbour backdrop. Surveying firm Mitchell Brandtman took out line honours on French Kiss, but the real winners on the day were homeless youth, as the day’s fundraising target was met.
All funds raised will be going directly to Haven House Logan, in partnership with the QLD Government and Lady Musgrave Trust to provide transitioning housing for at-risk young mothers and their children and Haven House Kingaroy, in partnership with South Burnett CTC, providing transitional youth housing.
Cost of living and housing affordability pressures make projects like this even more critical. “As the cost of living continues to soar and affordable housing declines, young people are finding it harder and harder to secure stable housing,” Kate Mills said. “Projects like these not only construct physical spaces but also provide essential lifelines that empower disadvantaged youth and break the cycle of hardship.”
After the regatta, guests kicked on at the official afterparty, sponsored by Unispace. “The afterparty provides an atmosphere of celebration, lively conversations, and a strong sense of camaraderie. It serves as an opportunity to unwind and reflect on the day, as well as on the Foundation’s mission to end youth homelessness,” said Joanne Taylor, Unispace Principal, Client Engagement.
Special mention to our supporters at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, including CEO Karen Baldwin and Commodore John Warlow, the functions and sailing teams, and Ian Richardson from Construction People, who assists us in securing such fantastic yachts and skippers. Our volunteers, the Queensland Board of Advisors, and all our committee members also put in long hours to ensure the event runs like clockwork.
Congratulations to our Raffle winners!
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1st prize – Holly Ramsay
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2nd prize – Peter Lincoln
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3rd prize – Liz Hetherington
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4th prize – Allison Wright
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