By Alan Barham.
• A total of 71 guests enjoyed the wine auction organized by the Rotary Club of Ballarat West.
• These guests included The Mayor, Cr. Samantha McIntosh and husband Greg, Deputy Mayor Cr. Daniel Moloney, representatives from Her Majesty’s Theatre, invited guests, members of the Rotary Club of Ballarat West and their partners
• The event was held at the Yacht Club on Lake Wendouree and was extremely successful
• 94 lots were auctioned and sold for a total value of $6,700.
• A hamper was donated by Rotarian Joy Taylor and this raffle raised $504.
• The auction was organized and conducted by Ballarat West Rotary Club members Barry Bedggood and John Richmond with the assistance of Barry’s wife, Marie. With support from other members of the Rotary Club, these three have been conducting the wine auction in its current format since 1999.
• Prior to the change of format in 1999, the Rotary Club of Ballarat West raised funds through bulk wine sales however, the quality of the wine was sometimes poor and the support declined.
• Over the 20 years, the wine auctions raised over $137,000 these funds have been distributed to organizations such as The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Shelter Boxes for areas affected by natural disasters, Ballarat Day Stay Centre, Avoca Group CFA, Life Education Van, Safety Shelter, SES, Pinarc and Sailability
• The $6,700 raised from this year’s auction is to be donated to Her Majesty’s Theatre to assist with the restoration works plus an honour board to be placed at the foyer of the theatre for to honour the people and organisations that assisted with helping of the restoration of our great lady known as "Her Maj".
• Four bottles of Her Majesty’s labeled gin were donated and auctioned with each bottle selling for over $100. Cr Daniel Moloney described how these bottles were from the local Kilderkin Distillery in Ballarat.
• Auctioneers, John, Barry, and Marie were thanked by Rotarian Ian Rowe, with a small rendition on the events over most of the 20 years and for their contribution, then presented them each with a parting gift.
• Due to the success of the evening, the wine auction will certainly be a feature of the Ballarat West Rotary Club’s fundraising efforts in the future.