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OUR PHILOSOPHY
Master Builders ACT has pioneered many charitable causes and functions over the last 100 years, and a ‘give back’ culture is a trademark of Master Builders ACT membership. Community contribution is a core pillar of our vision, with a goal to make a lasting difference to the ACT region through strong community partnerships.
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Over $3 million
raised for charities since 2004
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4
charity houses built
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20+ years
of giving back
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Philanthropy
Master Builders ACT has a strong commitment to philanthropy, having raised over $3 million for various charities since 2004.
Our core community contribution has come through our Charity House partnerships with Hands Across Canberra, which has seen the building of four Canberra homes to raise over $3 million for local charities, with a fifth launching in late 2026.
Our recent fundraising and philanthropy activities include:
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Skills programs
- Award-winning Woden Civil Taster Program (2025)
- JobTrainer Women in Civil Program (2023)
- ACT Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) Kickstart to Construction program (2023)
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Awareness days
- Jeans for Genes Day
- Safe Work Month
- Communities @ Work Christmas Appeals
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Mental health
- Ozhelp partnership
- Movember
- R U OK Day
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Annual events
- Push-up challenges
- Charity golf days
- Vinnies CEO Sleepout & Winter Appeals
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Donations
- Breast Cancer Foundation
- OzHelp
- Canberra Hospital Foundation
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Tradie Golf Day, 2017 -
Tradie Golf Day, 2017 -
Tradie Golf Day, 2017 -
2026 Charity House sod turning -
2026 Charity House sod turning -
Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama and Santa with Master Builders ACT’s contribution for Pack the Bus 2025 -
Master Builders ACT team with Santa for Pack the Bus -
Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama with Menslink CEO Ben Gathercole launch a new program for apprentices -
Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama with Menslink CEO Ben Gathercole launch a new program for apprentices -
Menslink CEO and Master Builders ACT CEO with an apprentice and Master Builders ACT Trainer (Braeden Crosswell-Snow) -
Menslink CEO and Master Builders ACT CEO with an apprentice and Master Builders ACT Trainer (Braeden Crosswell-Snow) -
Master Builders ACT President Frank Porreca -
Master Builders ACT President Frank Porreca
BUILDING GENEROUSLY
Charity houses
Master Builders ACT has delivered four Charity Houses in partnership with Hands Across Canberra, with a fifth in progress, raising over $3 million for local charities.
The charity house program sees a local Master Builders ACT member contribute their time, expertise and materials to build a home to be auctioned off for charity. Our Charity Houses reflect the idea that building well can also mean building generously, delivering family homes that benefit Canberrans in need.
Whitlam Charity House 2026
Building hope for Canberra, brick by brick
- BuilderA+P Leemhuis
- ArchitectOztal Architects
- BeneficiariesHands Across Canberra, for distribution to charities providing assistance to domestic and family violence survivors
The Whitlam Charity House is slated for auction in 2026 and is under construction by A&P Leemhuis Builders, with Oztal contributing its architectural design.
The guiding theme for the 2026 house is ‘Building Hope for Canberra, Brick by Brick,’ with proceeds from the auction destined for Canberra charities that provide support for survivors of domestic and family violence.
The house will have views of the Brindabellas and a playground right across the road.
The 2026 Charity House will be constructed in Whitlam by fourth-generation builders A+P Leemhuis, supported by dozens of industry partners who are contributing time, materials and expertise to bring the charity house vision to life.
Other member contributions
- Certifier: Absolute Approvals
- Equipment hire: Asset Construction Hire
- Interior design: The Dept. of Design
- Building Insurance: Master Builders Fidelity Fund
- Engineering Consultant: Sellick Consultants Pty Ltd
- Waste Removal: Tiger Waste and Recycling
- Subcontractors
- Alltype Electrical
- Belconnen Concrete
- Capital Veneering Pty Ltd
- Cord Civil
- Delnas Metal Roofing
- Piscina
- Queanbeyan Pre-Mix Concrete
- Suppliers
- Austral Bricks
- e&s
- Herzog Steel
- Joe Deren Signs
- Reece
- Rivoland Tiles
Past charity houses
2023 Strathnairn charity house
- BuilderKane Constructions
- ArchitectCK Architects
- BeneficiariesHands Across Canberra, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Karinya House, and Canberra City Care
The Strathnairn Charity House was auctioned in March 2023 for an impressive $1.596 million. Designed and led by women, the project was a flagship for gender equity in construction. Every trade involved included at least one female apprentice, and participants from the SPARK Women in Trades program used the site as a live training ground.
Led by Kane Constructions and designed by CK Architecture, the four-bedroom home featured dual living arrangements, sustainable design, and bespoke detailing.
Proceeds were distributed to Hands Across Canberra, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Karinya House, and Canberra City Care.
2016 Deakin charity house
- BuilderRenaissance Homes
- ArchitectAMC Architecture
- BeneficiariesBoundless, Hands Across Canberra, Hartley Lifecare
For the 2016 charity house project, the Land Development Agency contributed two adjoining separate title infill blocks in Deakin to create two houses. Renaissance Homes led the project. Other Master Builders ACT members contributed over $750,000 in time, hard work, expertise and materials.
The result was two properties, designed by AMC Architecture. As the two houses were conceptualised at the same time, their designs could work harmoniously to maximise solar gain and street appeal.
The project raised over $2.06 million. Profits were shared between Boundless, Hands Across Canberra, and Hartley Lifecare.
2013 Franklin charity house
- BuilderClassic Constructions
- ArchitectDesigns by Mahoney
- BeneficiariesYWCA of Canberra, YouthCARE Canberra, Canberra Men’s Centre, Inanna, Toora Women
The 2013 charity house project delivered a 386 square metre, two-storey, two-garage, four bedroom, 7-star thermal rated house. Designed by Guy Mahoney from Designs by Mahoney and built by Classic Constructions, the home stays comfortable year-round thanks to its clever positioning on the block, a modern slab foundation, double-glazed windows, and generous insulation throughout.
The property sold for $850,000. Profits from the project were shared between YWCA of Canberra, YouthCARE Canberra, Canberra Men’s Centre, Inanna, and Toora Women.
2007 Jenolan charity house
- BuilderPBS Building
- ArchitectAMC Projects
- BeneficiariesPatCH, CanTeen, Koomarri
The inaugural Jenolan Charity House, completed in 2007, marked the beginning of Master Builders ACT’s Charity House initiative. Construction of Jenolan, at Wells Station in Gungahlin, was led by PBS Building. The project raised $270,000, with profits supporting PatCH (Paediatrics at The Canberra Hospital), CanTeen, and Koomarri.
DRIVING CHANGE
Menslink: supporting mental health in construction
At Master Builders ACT, we understand the critical importance of mental health in the building and construction industry.
On average, one construction worker dies by suicide every two days in Australia[1], while apprentices are at particularly high risk, being two-and-a-half times more likely to die by suicide than other young men their age[2].
Our partnership with Menslink has the goal of enhancing mental health education and support in our sector, providing vital resources, tailored education programs and ongoing counselling services to help apprentices navigate their mental health challenges.
By raising awareness and fostering a culture of care, we are committed to ensuring that our future builders are equipped with the knowledge and support they need to thrive.
Together with Menslink, we are dedicated to driving meaningful change and improving mental well-being in our industry.