The fundraising initiative featured multiple auction formats including online, silent, and live events that attracted bidders from across the Ray White network.
Proceeds will benefit the soon-to-be-launched A Home For All Foundation and Nedd Brockmann’s partner charity, Mobilise.
Natalie Hortz, Ray White’s head of organisational development and committee member of the new foundation, highlighted the severity of Australia’s homelessness crisis.
“The visible homelessness within the Australian community is just the tip of the iceberg. Only six per cent of the 122,000 people experiencing homelessness are actually sleeping rough,” Ms Hortz said.
The fundraising began at The Shed on August 10 with an initial charity auction that raised over $4,000 for the Crows Nest Historical Society.
This event, called by Ross Whiston of Ray White Gawler East, featured prizes including sports memorabilia and a morning tea with Ray White Chairman Brian White.
Prior to the main conference, an exclusive online auction offered a meet-and-greet experience with Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo.
The opportunity generated intense competition among bidders, with two groups ultimately winning the experience and contributing over $11,000 to the cause.
Throughout the Connect 2025 conference, attendees participated in a silent auction featuring signed AFL guernseys, tickets to READY25 including a meet-and-greet with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and an exclusive mentoring session with entrepreneur Shelley Sullivan.
The fundraising culminated in a live auction on the final day of the conference, where veteran auctioneer Haesley Cush presided over a crowd of 3,000 attendees.
Bidders competed for Oasis box tickets and a run with endurance athlete Nedd Brockmann at his upcoming Uncomfortable Challenge, generating an additional $14,500.
A “Give to Win” initiative also allowed participants to donate $25 for a chance to win prizes including a signed Daniel Ricciardo cap, luxury hotel stays, and 100,000 Virgin Velocity points.
Ms Hortz said the property industry was in a unique position to address homelessness in Australia.
“As an industry, we’re privileged to play a part in creating homes, workplaces and opportunities for Australians,” she said.
“But with so many Australians missing out we have to ask ourselves the question – how can we be there to support those who need help?”
Ray White has committed to being a launch partner for the A Home for All Foundation, which will officially launch in September.
The foundation aims to leverage the property sector’s influence to drive awareness, raise funds, and create long-term solutions for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
“Our industry is powerful and we’re in a position to help drive this change,” Ms Hortz said.
“At Ready25 on 21 August, it was announced that an industry-led foundation would be launching in September to channel the property sector’s influence and reach, to drive awareness, raise funds and build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.”
