Google AI
The Times Australia

Times Media

Veteran fundraiser also changing the lives of ordinary Australians

Kitchen & Dining

What started out as a fundraiser to help veterans is now having a positive impact on ordinary Australians to achieve smaller dreams they never thought possible.

Dream Home Art Union, best known for its luxurious homes, has given away almost $850,000 in smaller prizes over the past year, which have been life changing for the hundreds of winners including an 80 year old woman whose $120,000 win enabled her to spend time with her terminally ill brother interstate.

“A $2,000 win can make a big difference. It can help pay off a credit card, cover a mortgage repayment or travel to spend time with loved ones,” said Ben Sawkins, General Manager Lotteries at Dream Home Art Union.

“People often think it’s only the big prizes that change lives, but that’s not the case,” Mr Sawkins said.

Over its 70-year history, the Dream Home Art Union has been raising vital funds for veteran support to assist veterans and their families with housing, employment, health and wellbeing.

Next month, its biggest ever prize home will be drawn, the $15.5 million Sunshine Coast Kingdom which features an entire complex of 4 luxury apartments overlooking Kings Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Valued at more than $15.5 million, the record-breaking prize includes 3 fully furnished luxury apartments and a penthouse with a rooftop terrace, spa and outdoor kitchen. It also includes $250,000 in gold bullion, luxury furniture and electrical packages worth more than $525,000.

“The Sunshine Coast Kingdom is the largest prize home giveaway of its kind in Australian history,” Mr Sawkins said. “We have 6 winners who win $10 million-plus each year.”

The charity has proudly supported RSL Queensland for 70 years and in 2025 alone:

    • 7,563 veterans and their families were supported to improve their health and wellbeing
    • 5,293 claims and appeals were submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
    • 267 jobs were secured for veterans and their partners
    • 227 veterans and families were housed in safe, permanent accommodation
    • 4,670 individuals were supported through Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centres nationally
    • 2,240 veterans enrolled in online wellbeing programs
    • 10,104 mental health and rehabilitation sessions were delivered

“Whether it’s a simple ticket or a deeply held belief, every entry represents the possibility of something extraordinary while also supporting veterans and their families,” Mr Sawkins said.

About Dream Home Art Union

Dream Home Art Union is the fundraising arm of RSL Queensland, offering Australians the chance to win luxury homes while supporting veterans and their families. In 2026, it is proudly celebrating 70 years of making dreams come true - for winners, veterans, and the families who stand beside them. What started as a legacy of giving back has grown into a tradition that continues to change lives across generations. 
Dream Home Art Union Draw 432 | AU432L | $15,509,132 | Tickets $10 | Close: 8pm (AEST) Wed 1 Jul 2026 | Drawn: 10am (AEST) Wed 8 Jul 2026 | T&Cs apply 

Times Magazine

Melbourne Local Steps Outside Her Comfort Zone to Compete for Miss World Australia 2027

From working in Melbourne real estate, building a career and now stepping into the Miss World Prel...

Award-Winning Author Cara Barilla Writes I Pray for My Teachers to celebrate Sydney Catholic Schools

Following her recognition as the winner of the 2024 Christian Literature Book Awards, Australian aut...

Technology

MISSION 1, MISSION 1 PRO and MISSIO…

Today, GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) announced that its MISSION 1 Series of compact cinema cameras ha...

Local News

Fitstop Global Games to Bring 1,000…

The Australian-born fitness brand is bringing its global competition home, with athletes from across...

Culture

What to Consider When Choosing Assisted Livin…

There comes a point when managing everything at home starts taking more effort than it used to. Th...

Travel

School holiday pricing: fair market economics…

Every Australian family with school-aged children knows the pattern. Look at an airfare, hotel ro...

The Times Features

The moving dollar: why Australia’s exchange rate is bec…

As the Australian dollar slips against the US currency, import bills rise and some exporters gain ...

What to Consider When Choosing Assisted Living in Sydne…

There comes a point when managing everything at home starts taking more effort than it used to. Th...

Kenwood My Pizzeria Pizza Oven – The easy-to-use workto…

Pizza at home can be tricky. For years I settled on ‘cook from frozen’ mass produced ones that could...