Global RE/MAX supports Beyond the Bricks

I give credit to all of the brands that are taking part in initiative, which is not only helping those in need during the crisis but will be there for the communities as they heal.

At the time of writing this article, approximately 40 real estate industry brands and stakeholders had united in Beyond the Bricks, an industry-wide response to the devastation caused by Australia’s bushfires.

The fires sparked in September 2019 – including on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Binna Burra in the Scenic Rim. By the start of Australia’s annual bushfire season in October, embers spread, leading to more intense fires. On November 11, a state of emergency was declared in New South Wales and Queensland. Fires continued to spread. Just before Christmas, parts of Victoria were on fire. Then South Australia. The fires continued to worsen and spread. Locations were familiar names, even overseas, including Snowy Mountains, Kangaroo Island, and the ski fields of Mt Buller and Mt Hotham.

At the time of writing, the devastating bushfires had scorched more than one million hectares of land, affecting every state and territory in some way. People had died and more than 1.25 billion animals - wildlife and stock – were estimated to have perished. The bushfires also dealt a punishing blow to many primary producers.

Many people were left helpless and homeless.

The heartache prompted real estate agencies and bodies to band together, and collectively support charities who would make a difference as the extent of the damage was realised.

RE/MAX Australia was amongst the big brands to quickly join the initiative. Director Josh Davoren explains Beyond the Bricks.

“The industry-wide response to the devastation has a three-phase focus that encompasses the pillars of ‘relief, rebuild, restore’. The aim is to provide immediate relief and support to those in need (Phase 1); help to rebuild family homes and individual lives (Phase 2) and help restore affected communities and encourage ongoing support through, for example, promoting tourism and local businesses (Phase 3). “The Australian real estate industry united and RE/MAX extended that to the global real estate scene. As our Australian network sprang into action, our Denver colleagues gave their support in promoting Beyond the Bricks through the global RE/MAX network and many of the 125,000 RE/MAX members globally reached out to us.”

Beyond the Bricks rolls out in association with four charities: St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies), The Salvation Army, Australian Red Cross and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

“The extent of the devastation caused by the bushfires across Australia is shocking and we continue to count the cost in lives, homes, animals, farmland and bushland,” says Josh. “Not only is there the immediate loss of property and livelihoods but ongoing damage to communities.”

From establishment, Beyond the Bricks’ emphasis was on immediate support and long-term strategies to rebuild affected communities, while recognising there will be ongoing challenges as they attempt to rebuild. The emotional and psychological toll will be long-term.

“It may take years to rebuild these fire-ravaged communities and the emotional damage may take a lot longer,” said Josh.

“Our communities need our help. Our real estate businesses are part of the fabric of the communities they serve. As real estate professionals we stand proud as we continue to support and rebuild our communities.”