BoysTown prize homes have evolved a long way

WINNING a prize home would be a dream come true for most Australians.

APPEALING PROSPECT: The latest Boystown prize to be drawn on March 4 features a $1.68 million Buderim hinterland property surrounded by rainforest. Picture: Robert Mckellar - RAM Biz Contributed

WINNING a prize home would be a dream come true for most Australians.

Who can resist imagining life in a stunning, million dollar coastal apartment with sweeping ocean views?

How about relaxing in a beautiful home nestled on acreage surrounded by picturesque hinterlands?

They are the realities provided by the BoysTown art unions, which have been making dreams come true for hundreds of ordinary Australians since the early 1980s.

But while the latest offerings are million-dollar homes and apartments, it hasn't always been that way.

BoysTown Prize Homes have evolved from humble houses in quiet suburban streets to multi-million dollar luxury properties.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom suburban home offered in 1982 was valued at $89,000. It came with a 1982 Toyota Corolla and the promise of a fully turfed block.

By contrast the latest prize, to be drawn on Friday, is a $1.68 million Buderim hinterland property surrounded by rainforest.

It features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas and a study, and is being promoted as "an entertainer's paradise perfect for any occasion".

"Located only 10 minutes from the beach, cafes, restaurants, schools and shops, the property boasts all the conveniences of suburban living but with the serenity of your own private retreat," boasts the advertising blurb.

BoysTown chief executive Tracy Adams said the aim with every prize home was to create the perfect opportunity for supporters to not only win a new home, but create a new lifestyle for them and their family.

PROGRESSION: The Boys Town Art Union prize package from 1982 (left) and A Boys Town Art Union prize package from 1990.

Your average prize home these days varies from apartments to houses located in hinterlands, on beachfronts or in capital cities.

They are often worth more than $1 million and come with more than $100,000 of furniture and electrical goods. Gold bullion and holiday vouchers are common.

"BoysTown prize homes create brighter futures for not only 10 lucky winners each year, but also for the young people we help," Ms Adams said.

"Our art union prize homes are a vital source of income for many of our services, helping hundreds of thousands of young people every year. When you purchase a ticket, you not only have the chance to change your own life, you give young people choices, supports and someone to listen."

Ms Adams said the challenge was to make the prize homes more enticing to keep up with supporters' expectations.

"We are always looking at how we can make our next prize home even more special and luxurious.

"Last year, we enlisted the help of The Block judge Darren Palmer to design the interior for one of our prize homes."

Tickets in the latest art union offering cost $15 and are available from boystown.com.au/lot until 10pm on Wednesday or at the home itself at 94 Vise Rd, Buderim.

The home is open 9am-5pm until Tuesday, then 9am-4pm on Wednesday. The lucky winner will be drawn at 10am on Friday.

Boys Town Art Union prize packages

1982:

Valued at $89,000.

A fully-furnished, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in River Hills valued at $89,000.

1982 Toyota Corolla.

The entire turfed block.

2016:

A fully-furnished four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two living areas and a study located only 10 minutes from the beach at Buderim, valued at $1.68 million.