Dip and sip fundraiser

FOR twenty years Rotary Club of Ballarat West has held an annual wine auction raising funds for the Ballarat community.

While it has always been a Club effort organising the event, members Barry Bedggood and Dr John Richmond were the faces at the front of the fundraiser.

Last week was the last time that Club they officiated the auction.

Dr Richmond, said to have the best wine knowledge of the team, worked alongside Mr Bedggood collecting the wine for auction.

“Over the years what Barry and I’ve done is approach wineries, individuals we know outside Rotary and members of the Club for donations,” said Dr Richmond.

“We would then put the wine in lots to make them attractive for one reason or another.”

Marie Bedggood, Barry’s wife, typed up the auction catalogues by lot, with what they considered to be the least expensive first and end the night with the most expensive wines up for sale.

Dr Richmond said they will still be involved in making it a successful event.

“We just decided that we wouldn’t be the face on the night of the [future] wine auctions,” he said.

Mr Bedggood said it was always exhilarating and fun conducting the auction.

“John and I are not withdrawing our assistance, it’s just time for someone else to take the baton,” he said.

On the night the 94 lots up for bidding realised a total of $6700 while raffle tickets sold for a hamper donated by club member Joy Taylor added $504 to the coffers.

Club secretary Lidia Aitken said over $137,000 has been raised across the years.

“Each year a different organisation is the recipient of the funds,” Ms Aitken said.

“This year was Her Majesty’s turn to take home the money raised.”

The proceeds will support the theatre with the restoration works plus sponsor an honour board for the foyer listing the people and organisations involved in the refurbishment.

At this stage none of the Club members have put their hand up to take on the auctioneering next year.

“It is early days yet,” Dr Richmond said.