Hickinbotham news

Christmas came early for Anne Mason yesterday after the mother of two won the major prize in the Foodland Charity House Competition - a $300,000 home at Aldinga Beach. But there were a few nervous moments along the way, with Ms Mason failing to open the three-bedroom home at her first attempt. Ms Mason, 44, was one of eight monthly winners who each were given a randomly selected key, before trying their luck at the front door of the house. Only one winning key would open the door to the eco-friendly home built in the Sunday development. "I got up there and it (the key) turned and I got excited but it didn't open," she said. "But when the final lady's key didn't work, I was called back and I was able to push it open. "I'm still in a dream, I can't believe it. I've never been that lucky in my life." Ms Mason, of Glenelg South, said she wasn't sure what she was going to do with the house. "I didn't want to get my hopes up - so I haven't really thought about it," she said. "But I'm definitely going to have one big party." The Max Pritchard designed home was built by Hickinbotham Homes and comes fully furnished. Foodland chief executive Russell Markham said the competition had been the most successful run by the Foodland Group, with more than 90,000 entries. Foodland will donate $75,000 each to the McGuinness McDermott Foundation, Bedford Industries and the Queen Victoria Auxiliary of the Women's and Children's Hospital. "It has been incredibly popular with our customers and we're just delighted to be able to give three cheques to charity," he said.