Community rises to the Challenge

The 2025 Ausbuild Community Challenge came to life at Peninsula Power FC’s AJ Kelly Park on October 24, when 18 community teams joined forces with five local businesses for an afternoon of fun, games and fundraising.

Teams representing Chameleon Housing, Love Army, YDF, P.C.Y.C Deception Bay, Guide Dogs Queensland, The Man Walk Redcliffe, Top Blokes Foundation, ROPE, Bolting Ahead Incorporated, Tribe Social Belonging, This Story Australia, Turner Syndrome Association of Australia Limited, Mimi’s House, Eaton’s Hill Kindy, Share the Dignity, Meals on Wheels Moreton Bay Region Inc, Raise It for Redcliffe and Give a Child a Chance took on a series of light-hearted challenges.

These ranged from musical bingo and air guitar showdowns to the crowd favourite, giant bucket pong.

See the photo gallery at the end of this story.

The community teams were proudly supported by corporate partners Place Redcliffe Peninsula, Bribie Island Real Estate, Studio Pilates Strathpine, Fernwood and the office of Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer, in creating an atmosphere of community spirit and connection.

The event celebrated collaboration and generosity, with Ausbuild contributing $50,000 to kickstart fundraising and Village Motors adding another $25,000 on the day.

A further $8721 was raised through raffle and auction items, taking the total raised for local community causes to $83,721.

“It really put the fun back in fundraising,” Tribe Social Belonging’s Ryan Elson said.

“You could feel the energy from every team; everyone was there for the same reason: to connect and raise much needed funds for all of the amazing community groups within the region.”

Hosted by Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones OAM, the afternoon built to a heartwarming finale when PCYC Deception Bay’s Rebekah Stokes realised her team had taken out first place, earning $9,209.31 in prize money.

Even the lowest-scoring team on the day walked away with an impressive $2,616.28 for their efforts, a testament to the event’s inclusive and supportive spirit.

Moreton Daily CEO Shane Newcombe, whose team organised the event, said: “When Leisel announced second place and Rebekah realised her team had actually won, she burst into tears, it was such a beautiful, emotional moment”.

“Seeing that joy and genuine pride captured exactly what this event is all about, connection, celebration and community spirit.”

Ausbuild Joint Managing Director Matt Loney added: “We’re thrilled to give back to the community in such a fun, inclusive way”.

Moreton Bay City Councillors Cath Tonks and Jodie Shipway joined the celebrations to present winners’ cheques, while Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer competed enthusiastically alongside her team throughout the event.

PCYC Deception Bay’s Rebekah Stokes, whose team won the event in partnership with Studio Pilates Strathpine, said: “What it means for our club and our community at PCYC Deception Bay... I can’t even put it into words right now because I am so shocked. Thanks to these legends from Studio Pilates at Strathpine.

“It’s going to make a massive difference to the kids at our club. Thank you.”

Candyce from Studio Pilates Strathpine said: “At the end of the day, it’s not actually about us as a business it’s about the charities that we support. It’s amazing what people can do when they come together”.

The Ausbuild Community Challenge showcased the power of teamwork, generosity and local pride, proving that when the Moreton Bay community comes together, great things happen.

Photo gallery

By Kylie Jackson