Gaba Auction Breaks Record!

The Annual GABA Charitable Trust Christmas Auction has set a new record high for funds raised with the grand total of bids reaching over $20,000. The fully sold out event held on Sunday December 5th saw over 130 people bidding for the 120 donated items with many fetching more than the indicated prices!! Despite changeable weather everyone managed to stay dry under the large Marquees, there was lots of sunshine between the blustery showers and the day went off without a hitch.

"I thought it was a fantastic day and it's very exciting to have finally broken through the $20,000 mark", said Judith Thompson Chairperson of the GABA Charitable Trust. "The first auction in 1998 raised under $10,000, and we were happy with that. We never then imagined that the Christmas Auction would become this wonderful tradition in our community and would be so successful".

Bob Hewitt from Hibiscus Auctions expertly managed to secure continuous bids above marked values as he moved through the 89 items in the live Auction keeping interest high and helping make the whole day fun and entertaining for all.

Top dollar bids included Elton John’s autographed CD Peachtree Road fetching $1550, a spectacular 7.5 ft Xmas tree with 700 lights fully decorated reaching $1050, two hot bidding wars saw separate dinners with MP’s Georgina Beyer and Chris Carter topping $1000 combined (several times their set values)!!, an HSBC $1000 cash deposit getting $1160, 3 boxed sets of cellar wines ex- the late Dr Chris Thomas bringing a grand total of $975, a guilded frame and print going for $775, the Sydney Mardi Gras travel and tickets reached $600, a yachting weekend went for $560, and a 4 play subscription to Silo Theatre went for $310 .

GABA President Richard James said, "I'd like to thank our Trust Patron, Christine Fletcher, for opening up her magnificent Mt Eden house to us once again this year and giving us use of her large billiard room, complete with a Christmassy fire burning in the hearth, for the first Silent Auction which itself raised over $1400. A special thanks to Johnny Givins for organising the logistics of the whole event, to John Stempa and Judith Thompson (and helpers) for the wonderful Lunch, to Chris Barker for once again collating the Auction Items and Catalogue".

RUGBY HEROES WIN SPORTS AWARD

The inaugural Brett Sheppard Sportsperson of the Year was won not by just one person but 15 of them - the Ponsonby Heroes Rugby Team. At the recent GABA Charitable Trust Christmas Auction, Trust Patron, Christine Fletcher presented the $1,000 Award to Heroes player Sean Aucamp, who accepted on behalf of the team. In introducing the award, Judith Thompson, Chair of the GABA Charitable Trust said, "The Ponsonby Heroes were chosen both for their sporting achievements and for their community spirit. As the first and only gay rugby team in New Zealand they are trail blazers and 'out there' role models".

The Brett Sheppard Award has capped a great year for the Heroes, which includes beating the Brisbane Hustlers 22 to 5 to win the Brian Williams Trophy, named after the legendry ex All Black who has been an ardent supporter of the Ponsonby Heroes since their formation. The Heroes also cleaned up at the Ponsonby Club annual prize giving winning the Player of the Year, Most Consistent Player and Best New Player prizes. Congratulations to the Ponsonby Heroes Rugby Team and we hope 2005 is an even better year.

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