From assembling flatpacks and restoring overgrown gardens, to painting walls and stocking pantries … our amazing industry supporters in QLD, Victoria and NSW participated in a variety of productive working bees in Q3-4 2025. These all-in efforts build a sense of care and community in the homes of vulnerable young people, helping them to live with renewed hope and dignity.
Dexus & The Girls Refuge
On 26 June, the incredible team from Dexus added touches of home to Haven House Inner West (The Girls Refuge) in Sydney. From building furniture to landscaping the garden, this working bee turned 7-bedroom crisis accommodation into a warm, welcoming space for young women aged 13-17 experiencing housing instability or trauma.
Multiplex & Haven House Heathmont
On 21 July, Multiplex created a hive of activity at Haven House Heathmont in Victoria, currently a hub for Lighthouse Foundation case workers. From rejuvenating the garden to refreshing interiors, the group conquered every task with enthusiasm and care.
Architectus & Wayside Chapel
On 24 July, Architectus joined a winter working bee at Sydney’s inner-city Wayside Chapel – repainting the reception, shower and café areas. Wayside provides meals, showers, toiletries, fresh clothes and care coordination to thousands of people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage each year. What was achieved in a single day would’ve taken Wayside Chapel many months to complete on their own.
Charter Hall & Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre (MYRC)
On 14 August, Charter Hall joined the first of two Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre (MYRC) working bees. MYRC is a vibrant community organisation that provides a creative and nurturing place for young people in Sydney’s Inner West. “We honestly cannot believe how lucky we were to be introduced to the Foundation and to have all the amazing corporate sponsors come and donate their time,” said CEO Louise Hammond. “I will be forever grateful for everyone who gave up their time to paint our walls, to donate food to our pantry, furniture or whitegoods. The refurbishment has been more than I ever expected and something I could have never done.”
JLL, Dexus & The Salvation Army Youth Services – Yarrinup
On 22 August, teams from JLL and Dexus lent a hand to Salvation Army Youth Services – Yarrinup Parenting Program in Melbourne. These 3 x 2-bed units provide a home for young families at risk or experiencing homelessness. Volunteers provided outdoor maintenance including weeding, painting, planting, pruning, rubbish removal and cleaning. Cabot’s Australia and New Zealand and Bettina McKeown from the Dulux group donated the paint.
Vicinity Centres & Lighthouse Foundation Hub
On 10 September, Vicinity Centres cleaned up the garden and outdoor spaces of Lighthouse Foundation Hub in Melbourne. “Your support helps create a warm, welcoming environment for young people – turning the space into more than just a meeting point, but a nurturing hub that feels like a second home,” said Priscilla Heathwood, State Manager, VIC. “Lighthouse homes like this one transform lives—providing not just a place to live, but therapeutic care and stability for as long as it’s needed.”
Brookfield & Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre (MYRC)
On 25 September, Brookfield joined the second working bee at Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre in Sydney. Their dedicated team helped clear and clean storerooms, sort the pantry, prep and paint the bathroom, gurney the outside stairs and clean the main hall. “This demonstrates that MYRC wants young people to have a physical space that is inviting, warm, safe … something they may not have in other parts of their lives,” said CEO Louise Hammond. “It also sends a clear message that they deserve to have nice things and items that make them feel special.”
ISPT (now IFM Investors) & The Salvation Army Australia Yarrinup
On 9 October ISPT helped paint and clean up the garden at The Salvation Army Yarrinup in Melbourne – currently home to three young mums (aged 16–25) and their babies. The Salvos parenting program and on-site, therapeutic support helps form strong early attachment bonds between mother’s and their babies.
MPA & Lighthouse Foundation
On 17 October, MPA grabbed rakes and shovels for a Lighthouse Foundation working bee in Glen Iris, Melbourne. From trimming hedges and clearing paths to pressure washing and garden care, MPA’s volunteers brought new life to the exterior of the home. “It was such a rewarding day,” said MPA People & Capability Coordinator, Ailia Yelverton “Getting to see the difference we could make in just a few hours, and knowing it supports young people in feeling more at home, was really special.”
Design & Build Recruitment & Burdekin
On 23 October, Design & Build Recruitment kicked off a two-part working bee at Burdekin’s property in Roselands, Sydney. Burdekin works with young people and their families to prevent homelessness, provide safe housing and support wellbeing. The team got to work on the garden, before refreshing internal paintwork and building furniture to help create a warm, welcoming environment for homeless youth.
Lendlease Community Days – Hope Street & BABI Youth Services
Lendlease Community Day volunteers participated in working bees in QLD and Victoria.On 23 October, the team lent a hand at Hope Street Youth and Family Services in Melton, Victoria – refreshing their outdoor spaces. Hope Street provides supported transitional housing for young people and families.
On 28 October, Brisbane teams completed working bees across two days on 3 properties for BABI Youth and Family Service in the Wynnum Bayside area – cleaning, gardening, painting and refreshing spaces to make them more welcoming. BABI provides support to homeless youth and young families.
Architectus, Colliers & Salvation Army
Architectus and Colliers gave the Salvation Army Youth Services a hand in Melbourne – joining a garden working bee on 29 October at their Upton Road program in St Kilda. The centre offers hands-on gardening and market programs to build community and boost the confidence and skills of young people who have experienced homelessness.
The GPT Group & Burdekin
On 30 October, The GPT Group team took on a two-part working bee for Burdekin in Roselands, Sydney. Burdekin works with young people and their families to create pathways out of homelessness through housing and support. Team GPT were all over the assignment – tidying the garden, building furniture and painting. The result is a brighter, warmer place to call home.
Architectus & Brisbane Youth Service
On 31 October, Architectus came out to support Brisbane Youth Service’s Transitional Supported Accommodation program, giving the lounge and hallway a fresh coat of paint. Steve Gibson and Keim Australia provided paint and a delicious lunch to keep the team going. “So very proud to have done my small part in supporting this amazing initiative,” said Steve Gibson, State Manager Keim Australia. “Everyone should have access to safe housing and if we all did our small part, imagine the difference we can make collectively!”
CBRE & Lighthouse Foundation
On 10 November, CBRE pitched in at a working bee at Haven House South-East Melbourne, operated by the Lighthouse Foundation. This safe home supports girls and young women who have fled early/forced marriages or modern-day slavery. CBRE helped clean outdoor spaces, painted and built furniture – helping to create a warm and welcoming environment for the residents there.
Goodman & The Salvation Army Oasis
Our supporters from Goodman joined a pre-Christmas working bee at The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Service in Sydney on 20 November. Oasis is a lifeline for many young people facing life on the streets. “Watching everyone come together – cleaning, gardening, and transforming the space in time for Christmas – was a powerful reminder of what community really means. A newly painted colourful street library added to the sense of collective impact,” said Jessica Pollard, the Foundation’s NSW Corporate Partnerships Manager
CBRE & Chameleon Housing
Big thanks also to AVID Property Group for donating furniture, accessories and bedding from one of their display homes and R.T. Edwards Commercial for supplying a range of whitegoods and electronics. ALD Expert Demo transported donated items from the display home to site. Community spirit at its finest!
Colliers, Geyer Valmont & The Salvation Army Oasis Rooftop
The Colliers Executive Team, led by CEO of Colliers and Foundation Board Member, Malcom Tyson helped put the finishing touches on a project for The Salvation Army’s Oasis Transitional Accommodation Services (OTAS) in Darlinghurst on 11 December. Volunteers helped assemble furniture and transform the rooftop into a vibrant community space for the 19 young people who call OTAS home.
A follow-up working bee with the team at Geyer Valmont on 17 December completed the special rooftop project. Geyer Valmont also acted as our building partner; generously contributing significant pro bono support.
Team CBRE joined a 16 December working bee at Clyde House in Strathpine, Brisbane for Chameleon Housing. CBRE assembled flat-pack furniture, made up beds and fully stocked the kitchen. Together they completed three bedrooms, the main kitchen, living and dining areas, plus a separate transitional unit – an incredible result in a single day.
