News - Dennis Family Corporation

Charity home delivers boost to Ballan Hospital

The Dennis family’s affinity with the Ballan area has led to a substantial donation to its local hospital.

Dennis Family Homes selected the Ballan Hospital to be the beneficiary of the proceeds of its latest charity home built at Delacombe in Ballarat’s western growth corridor.

The design chosen by Dennis Family Homes for the project was the three-bedroom Columbia 211 Tempo from its Aspirations Series. Advertised for sale through the Ballarat office of The Professionals real estate firm, the house was sold just prior to the completion of construction in July.

Following the recent settlement of the purchase, Dennis Family Homes has donated its full profit on the sale, which amounted to $26,164.00.

The proceeds were presented to Ballan District Health & Care CEO, Glenn Rowbotham on September 26 by Dennis Family Homes CEO, Peter Levinge and his wife Adele, who is the CEO of the Dennis Family Office and the eldest daughter of company founder, Bert Dennis. Also in attendance for the cheque presentation were Ballan District Health & Care Board President, James Hay and Dennis Family Homes Area Manager – Ballarat, Peter Martin.

Mr Rowbotham said the funds would be allocated towards the $3m redevelopment of the hospital, which is scheduled to commence in early 2012.

“Given that we still have a shortfall in reaching our target funding figure, this generous donation from Dennis Family Homes becomes even more significant,” he commented.

“As a not-for-profit community-owned hospital, we do not receive automatic Government funding and rely on a network of support from local businesses, the community and philanthropic trusts to continue improving the quality of health services and facilities we provide.”

Built in 1966, the Ballan Hospital is now nearly fifty years old and currently services a population of over 20,000 residents from the outskirts of Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat. The new hospital facilities will include a palliative care unit, additional acute beds, two publicly-funded beds, a new Emergency Stabilisation Department and Ballan’s first x-ray facility.

Adele Levinge said the Dennis family had a long-held attachment to the Ballan area and was delighted to support the hospital fundraising effort through the charity home project.

“Our family owned a farm in Ballan for more than twenty years from the mid 1970s,” she explained.

“The property was in Monteville Lane on the southern hillside of Pykes Creek Reservoir and my parents have maintained close ties with several long-standing friends in the region, particularly Alyne and Claire Fagg.”

Peter Levinge said that Dennis Family Homes has a strong connection with regional Victoria and that its charity home initiatives are an important part of its business philosophy.

“Our company builds throughout the state and is regularly active in the Ballan area, including a number of homes under construction at present.  Over many years, we have scheduled charity home projects in various locations as a unique and effective way of giving back to the local communities in which we operate.”

Updated September 2011

Local groups rewarded through The Hunt Club Community Fund

Estate project manager the Dennis Family Corporation has awarded a total of $14,000 to 18 local not-for-profit organisations operating in the Cranbourne area through financial grants from The Hunt Club Community Fund for 2011.

The annual initiative assesses, approves and allocates funding of either $500 or $1000 to eligible groups who make application for assistance towards projects, programs and activities within the local community.

“Our Community Fund at The Hunt Club has reached its tenth year and has now distributed in excess of $135,000 to a variety of organisations within the Casey Community,” said Dennis Family Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Peter Levinge.

“The fund rewards some of the important work being carried out in the local community, which often otherwise would go without recognition. We have seen The Hunt Club estate prosper in its development over the past decade and the Community Fund has been an ongoing source of support for an ever expanding list of deserving organisations within the region,” he added.

Grant recipients from The Hunt Club Community Fund of 2011 announced at the presentation function at The Hunt Club Land Sales Office on 14 September were as follows:

• Cranbourne CFA … for bedding for relief staff
• YMCA - Victoria … for its youth mentoring program in Casey
• Cranbourne Information & Support Services … to assist its Christmas support program
• The Hunt Club Kindergarten … for kindergarten equipment
• Botanic Gardens Retirement Village … to assist the Men's Shed program at Junction Village
• Cranbourne Community House … to purchase safety equipment
• Cranbourne Stroke Survivors & Carers Support & Social Group … for a group excursion
• St Vincent De Paul Society - Cranbourne Conference… towards the Back to School Assistance program
• U3A - Cranbourne … for archival equipment for its active retirement projects
• Cranbourne Police Senior Citizens Register … for internet and office expenses
• Femmes - Cardinia/Casey Community house … for activity and craft materials for the Femmes ladies group assisting the aged, disabled and socially isolated within the community
• Cranbourne West Primary School … for its Brunch Club program
• Merinda Park Learning & Community Centre … for safe storage
• Lynbrook Stingers Netball Club … for the purchase of training equipment
• Cranbourne Girl Guides … for a safety ramp in their garage
• Australian Air League - Cranbourne Squadron … towards sun protection
• Flamingoes Netball Club … to purchase trophies for their two junior teams
• 1st Cranbourne Scout Group … towards hall maintenance

Updated September 2011

Record grants to local groups in Manor Lakes Community Fund

A record total of $40,000 has been shared by 43 not-for-profit groups in the Wyndham area through the 2011 Manor Lakes Community Fund.

An annual initiative of the Manor Lakes estate project manager, the Dennis Family Corporation, the fund awarded grants of either $500 or $1,000 to the eligible organisations that made application for financial assistance this year.

Since its establishment in 2003, the Manor Lakes Community Fund has distributed approximately $190,000 to local groups to assist a wide range of very worthy projects.

"This year's total pool of $40,000 was the highest ever on offer through the fund, enabling even more groups to be recognised and share in the direct financial benefit," said Dennis Family Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Peter Levinge.

The 2011 Manor Lakes Community Fund grant recipients were announced at a presentation ceremony evening at Manor Lakes
P-12 College on August 30.

The Dennis Family Corporation congratulates the following organisations which were awarded grants through the 2011 Manor Lakes Community Fund:

• 1st Iramoo Scout Group ... to assist in improvements to Scout Hall
• 1st Werribee Scout Group ... for the computerising of videos for training
• Corpus Christi Primary School ... to help establish the "Tuning into Dads" program
• Dr Charles Prouse Kindergarten ... for computer programs
• Galvin Park Secondary College ... for their "Supportive Friends" program
• Hararian Community Association Australia ... for sports activities for disadvantaged kids
• Honour Avenue Playgroup ... to assist in playtime and funtime activities
• Hoppers Crossing Secondary School ... to assist its school breakfast program
• Iramoo Community Centre ... to purchase new equipment and resources for outdoor activities and events
• Iramoo Softball Club ... to upgrade junior safety equipment
• Jamieson Way Community Centre ... for its "Tips, Tricks & Techniques" sewing workshop
• Karobran Kindergarten ... to purchase an outdoor blocks kit
• Manor Court Aged Care ... for bus modifications
• Manorvale Primary School ... for its "Toastmasters" youth leadership program
• Noah's Ark Early Childhood Intervention Service ... for its "Caring for Carers" and "Look at Me!" programs
• Our Lady of the Southern Cross Primary School ... for a playschool garden
• Phoenix Netball Club ... to update equipment
• Rotary Club of Wyndham & Manor Lakes P-12 College ... for a school tree day at Manor Lakes College
• Sayers Road Auskick Centre ... for the purchase of equipment
• Siasi 'O Tonga in Wyndham ... to assist its Polynesian youth performers
• South West Community Services ... for food relief as part of its "Making Brighter Futures" program
• South West Child Care ... to assist in outside school hours care
• Stella Maris Catholic Primary School ... for the purchase of sports equipment
• St Philip's Playgroup ... for an outdoor play area
• The Migrant Hub ... for its Migrant Hub Café
• The Salvation Army ... for its "Pure Light" community service program
• Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters - Werribee Park ... for replacing the park's weeping roses
• Werribee Baptist Church ... for woodchip for children's playground
• Werribee Cricket Club ... to purchase uniform for Under 15 team
• Werribee District Historical Society ... to provide an improved lecture presentation
• Werribee Giants Baseball Club ... to purchase safety equipment
• Werribee Little Athletics Centre ... to assist in technology upgrades
• Werribee Marching Club ... to replace and repair marching boots and uniforms
• Western Suburbs Lymphoedema Support Group ... for support and information services to sufferers of Lymphoedema
• Woodville Park Kindergarten ... to establish a stream in the outdoor play area
• Wildlife of Werribee ... to assist in wildlife care and rescue
• Wyndham Disability Action Group ... to assist in raising the group's profile
• Wyndham Community Arts Alliance ... for a community photography exhibition
• Wyndham Community & Education Centre ... for a "Strengthening Families" camp at Kinglake
• Wyndham Vale Christian Centre ... to assist in creating a new Children's Activity Centre
• Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade ... to assist in fire fighter and community training
• Yerambooee Community Centre ... for its Community Kitchen
• Yerambooee Kindergarten ... to purchase kinder puzzles and toys

“As in past years, the recipient groups represent a broad cross-section of the local community, with the proceeds of our grants being directed towards assisting a wide range of special activities and programs for the benefit of people of all ages,” Mr Levinge stated.

Updated August 2011

Charity house sale to aid Legacy

Continuing the Dennis family’s ongoing support of Legacy, a third Dennis Family Homes charity house project has commenced at the Manor Lakes estate at Wyndham Vale in Melbourne’s west.

Presently under construction, the new family home will be sold privately as a house and land package when completed, with the profits from the sale of the house to be donated to Legacy.

The first Legacy charity house was also constructed by Dennis Family Homes at the Manor Lakes estate in 2006, followed by a second home at Bendigo one year later. Together these highly successful previous projects raised almost $85,000 in support of Legacy.

Dennis family patriarch, Mr Bert Dennis, announced the latest charity house initiative at the Legacy at Huntingdale Charity Golf Day event on 21 January.

Mr Dennis said that his company was proud to continue its close working association with Legacy, a uniquely Australian organisation established in 1923 dedicated to the welfare of widows and dependants of war veterans.

“Legacy provided wonderful assistance to my own family during my youth and remains close to my heart to this day,” he explained.

“It is our hope that this year’s charity house project will once again generate significant funds to aid Legacy in its ongoing welfare work for the families of deceased veterans,” he added.

Mr Chris Spence, Melbourne Legacy President, welcomed the announcement of the generous donation from Dennis Family Homes.

“We are delighted to receive confirmation of such a magnificent donation,” Mr Spence said.

“It is exciting news and a truly good news story of a former Junior Legatee demonstrating his appreciation for past Legacy support. This most generous initiative of Dennis Family Homes will provide much needed funds to support Legacy’s caring work into the future.”

The house chosen by Dennis Family Homes for the project is the Edgewood 221, a brand new design for 2011 which is featured in its Aspirations series.

Amongst its many features, the double-storey home includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, study and garage. As with all Dennis Family Homes designs, the Edgewood 221 is luxuriously appointed and expertly constructed with quality and excellence.

Mr Dennis said that construction work on the house at Lot 2052 Holloway Street in Wyndham Vale is scheduled for completion in April and the subsequent purchasers will be able to move straight in to their new home on the Manor Lakes estate.

“We feel this charitable initiative is a most positive way to actively demonstrate our ongoing support for Legacy and at the same time it will provide a fabulous new home for a fortunate family in the coming months,” he commented.

Updated January 2011

Dennis Family Homes named Victoria's 4th largest builder

Family-owned builder, Dennis Family Homeshas been named as Victoria’s fourth largest residential builder for 2009/10 in the HIA-Colorbond® Steel Housing 100 report.

Richard Uden, General Manager Dennis Family Homes, says he was very pleased that so many Victorians had chosen to build their new home with Dennis Family Homes.

"We strive to offer high quality, well designed modern homes filled with extras so that they also offer great value for money. We are very honoured that so many families have chosen Dennis Family Homes."

Overall, 53,520 new homes were started in Victoria in 2009/2010; an increase of approximately 27 per cent from the 2008/09 figures.

Dennis Family Homes is a well established builder with a strong reputation for building high quality, great-value modern homes supported by customer service excellence.

For more information about Dennis Family Homes call 1800 DENNIS; visit Dennis Family Homes or experience your local displays today.