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.