Tuesday 23 September, 2025
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Murphy Group have officially launched its newest Build It For The Kids project with a sod turning ceremony in Maleny. This inspiring initiative will see a new home constructed and auctioned, with all proceeds directly supporting the Foundation’s vital work in child safety education and providing assistance to young victims of crime.
The event, held on-site at The Enclave residential development, brought together nearly 100 supporters, tradespeople, and dignitaries, including Hon. Dan Purdie, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Mr Andrew Wallace MP, Federal Member for Fisher, who share the Foundation’s commitment to keeping children safe. Founders Bruce and Denise Morcombe, along with Murphy Group directors Mark Berry, Brooke Bastien and Leigh Murphy, were on hand to turn the first sod, officially launching the new project.
A Lasting Legacy of Protection
For over 20 years, Bruce and Denise have tirelessly championed child safety, transforming their personal grief into a national movement. Their dedication has resulted in the Foundation becoming a leader in child protection, with their annual Day for Daniel event now engaging millions of Australians. The Build It For The Kids project is a continuation of this incredible work, providing a critical new stream of funding to expand the Foundation’s reach and services.
Bruce Morcombe spoke at the ceremony, expressing his gratitude to the community for their enduring support. “Thank you for never forgetting Daniel,” he said. “Time after time, when we’ve asked for help, we are truly staggered by the number of people who say, ‘I’m in.’ Your belief in the Foundation’s efforts to keep kids safe is something we never take for granted.”
A Community United
This project is a true community collaboration, bringing together key partners like Murphy Group (Lead Project and Construction Partner), RM Developments (Principal Developer), and Stoop Studio (Marketing Partner). This effort is furthered by numerous local trades and supporters who have also pledged their time and resources.
Denise Morcombe reflected on the journey since the Foundation’s inception, noting how they recognised the public’s desire for information and support. “We wanted to turn our painful experience into something positive and make sure Daniel’s story protects other children,” she said. The Foundation’s work has since helped shift the culture around child abuse, making it clear that the fault lies with perpetrators, not victims.
What the Funds Will Achieve
The funds raised from the home auction will be used to expand the Foundation’s free child safety educational resources, which include child safety activities, videos, Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lessons, fact sheets and interactive materials for children, parents, carers and educators. This new project will also enable the Foundation to directly support more children in the local Sunshine Coast community. This includes providing critical counselling services and other forms of assistance to help young victims on their journey to recovery.
With the sod now turned, the Build It For The Kids home is expected to be completed and auctioned in mid-2026. This project is more than just a house; it’s a foundation for a safer future, built on the enduring love of a community and the powerful legacy of a young boy named Daniel.
Businesses and individuals interested in contributing to the Build It For The Kids project are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest.
