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Another October has come and gone, and once again, Barry Plant has delivered a Wishtober to remember. The 2025 campaign – the 11th consecutive year of partnership with Make-A-Wish® Australia – was nothing short of extraordinary.
This year, the Barry Plant network raised $117,006, marking the second-highest Wishtober result ever. This outstanding result raises the network’s lifetime Wishtober total to $1,234,320.83. These remarkable funds continue to bring hope, joy, and unforgettable moments to children and their families across Australia.
Over the past decade, the network’s annual Wishtober campaign has become a symbol of community spirit, compassion, and generosity – with every property sold in October helping to fund life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell was thrilled with the fundraising efforts of the group.
“Wishtober continues to highlight the generosity of our network and the strength of our community. Achieving our second-highest fundraising total is an outstanding result, and we are already focused on lifting the bar again next year,” said Pennell.
“We are proud and humbled to play a small role in giving back to our community and supporting Make-A-Wish in granting life-changing dreams for children and families facing critical illness.”
Make-A-Wish Australia CEO Sally Bateman highlighted the impact of the campaign:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Barry Plant Group for their ongoing commitment and generosity. Every donation helps us bring hope and joy to wish kids across Australia. We look forward to continuing this special partnership and together making a difference for the critically ill children it’s our privilege to support.”
As part of the $117,006 total, Barry Plant Berwick contributed an impressive $6,368 through their popular Sausage Sizzle fundraiser. Alongside donating the usual portion of commission from every property sold in October, the Berwick team was determined to go further. The idea was born during a Monday morning sales meeting, where the team acknowledged that previous fundraising ambitions had often been too big to action. This year, they focused on keeping things simple and achievable, and a community sausage sizzle proved the perfect fit.
Barry Plant Berwick Director, Hayley Taufa, said she was proud of her team’s efforts.
"We wanted to do something tangible that wasn't about selling houses, but about serving our community,” explained Hayley.
“The support was overwhelming; we went from planning a small BBQ to partnering with local businesses and raising over $6,000. It’s been a powerful reminder that even simple ideas can have a massive impact when you’re working for a cause near and dear to your heart."
Individual efforts also played a key role in this year’s success. Andrew Koulaouzos, Partner, Sales Manager, Auctioneer, and Licensed Estate Agent at Barry Plant Taylors Lakes, ran the Melbourne Marathon in October to raise funds for Make-A-Wish. Andrew managed to finish the race in a brisk 4:19, but more importantly, he used his marathon running efforts to raise $2,055, contributing directly to Wishtober 2025.
“Barry Plant has supported Make-A-Wish for over a decade, so combining my love of running with this cause made perfect sense,” Andrew said. “As a parent, I feel deeply for families facing the unimaginable when a child is seriously ill. Running the marathon and raising $2,055 was my way of giving back and creating moments of joy when they’re needed most.”
With every Barry Plant office pledging donations from property sales, fundraising events, and individual initiatives, Wishtober 2025 is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community works together. From sausage sizzles to marathon runs, the collective effort of the network demonstrates the incredible impact of generosity and commitment.
Barry Plant’s goal is clear: to reach the $2 million milestone and continue pushing their fundraising even further, helping Make-A-Wish grant more wishes that bring strength, hope, and joy to the children who need it most.
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