It is a remarkable act of generosity, where Keith Drake, an 82-year-old semi-retired builder will donate the entire proceeds from the auction of his luxury coastal penthouse to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Foundation Coronavirus Action Fund. 

Mr Drake, who operated Drake Homes and Pryde Timbers with the assistance of his family for many years, is doing all he can to assist the expansion of national trials to test the effectiveness of two drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 and support other COVID-19 medical research projects. 

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Fifth Ave, Maroochydore is going to auction. Photo: Richardson & Wrench

When he learned about the need for funding, he decided to donate proceeds from the auction of his two storey-luxury penthouse in the seaside town of Maroochydore on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, for which he paid $2.75 million in 2006. 

After a flurry of hastily convened meetings with lawyers, the RBWH Foundation and selling agents James Henley and Mark Lawler from Richardson & Wrench Coolum, the campaign to get a top price for the two-level luxury penthouse now begins in earnest. 

Mr Lawler, Principal at Richardson & Wrench Coolum, is taking no commission on the sale to ensure that every cent goes towards efforts to find a treatment for COVID-19. 

RBWH Foundation CEO, Simone Garske, said it is an incredible act of generosity.

“Mr Drake and his family have been incredibly generous and we’re also grateful to Richardson & Wrench Coolum for donating their commission," said Ms Garske. 

“The funds from the sale of the property, will allow research projects, such as clinical trials, to occur and be expanded when necessary, so we get answers faster.” 

Mr Drake moved from the penthouse to an acreage property five years ago with his wife Glenda and 57-year-old son who is severely disabled with quadriplegia cerebral palsy, requiring round the clock care. 

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Fifth Ave, Maroochydore is being sold at auction where the proceeds will all go to COVID-19 research.

The penthouse was earning rental income but weighing that against the greater need to develop treatments for COVID-19, the choice for the father of four, grandfather of five and great grandfather of two, was simple. 

“I have always done a certain amount of giving when I have seen people in need,” said Mr Drake. 

“My own family are all well set-up, though not in an extravagant way and I felt the RBWH Foundation needed the funding in this instance.” 

Mr Drake found out about the trials when Professor David Paterson, Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Director at The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, was interviewed on the news. 

“When I spoke to Professor Paterson and read up about the trial and the research the Foundation is supporting, I thought they are going to need a bit of money to make this work," said Mr Drake. 

“The penthouse brings in a bit of rent, but we don’t need to have it. I know what is more important. I have enough and the family has enough, so I said to Glenda, ‘let’s do it’ and she said yes.” 

Mr Lawler said he was hoping to draw interest from around Australia, with buyers not just motivated by the chance to own a luxury penthouse in an idyllic seaside town but the opportunity to help the nation’s efforts to defeat COVID-19. 

“I reckon that if Shane Warne’s baggy green can generate more than a million for bushfire relief there will be people willing to put their hand up to support efforts to find treatments for COVID-19,” said Mr Lawler. 

“Time is not on our side and we will be going out with a short, sharp marketing campaign, with an Openn Negotiation auction that will allow bids to be made and viewed in real time ahead of the closing date of May 16."

Several local trades people have also contributed adding further value to the penthouse before its auction. 

R&W owner and managing director Andrew Cocks said the network’s offices in NSW and Queensland would lend support to the auction, promoting the sale to their respective databases. 

“In these uncertain times we all need to pull together and concentrate on what really matters,” said Mr Cocks.

“Keith Drake is an inspiration to all of us and we want to support his generosity by doing everything we can to make this auction a success, generating the funds for the RBWH Foundation to support clinical trials and COVID-19 research projects.” 

To register to bid on the property, head to Openn Negotiation, search for the property address and join as a bidder.

Once documentation is completed and approved, the buyer is qualified and ready to bid.

Anyone interested in watching the bidding unfold can joining as an observer.

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Fifth Ave, Maroochydore is being sold at auction where the proceeds will all go to COVID-19 research. Photo: Richardson & Wrench

The Penthouse 

No expense has been spared to create the ultimate beachside penthouse at Melrose on Fifth. 

Occupying two complete floors, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home spans 670sqm of living, including a roof deck with a private heated swimming pool, covered and open entertaining areas, bathroom and sauna. 

On the floor below, directly accessible by lift, the light-filled interiors include three distinct living areas with high ceilings, curved walls and bamboo flooring. 

The kitchen includes top of the range Miele appliances and marble benchtops and island, while the master suite occupies its own private wing with an indulgent en suite, customised cabinetry and its own balcony. 

Another three bedrooms also enjoy their own balcony, with views taking in Mooloolaba Lighthouse, Maroochydore Beach, the Maroochy river mouth, Mount Coolum and the hinterland.

Other luxury extras include a walk-in pantry with its own air-conditioning, temperature-controlled wine cellar, media room, storeroom and secure parking for four cars. 

The location is perfect – 300 metres to the beach, 10 minutes to the Sunshine Coast’s new international airport and 20 minutes to Noosa.

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