In 2007-08 then president Gordon ASHLIN lead the club in our major fundraising project of his year to support the establishment of the PKD Foundation in Australia, to raise awareness of Polycystic Kidney Disease and to raise funds in support of the Foundation and research into this common life threatening genetic disease.

The dance group performing at the auction

PP John ROBERTS who was the MC for the Auction night

Leigh Martin - supplier of the fishing boat we auctioned

Convener of the PKD Foundation of Australia Jenni MILLER (one of the guest speakers on the night) and her son Ajay

Our support for PKD continued in 2008-09 with President Robert VOSS leading the club program, assisted greatly by Rotarians Ian and Donna SHIRLEY , and PP Gordon ASHLIN to hold our PKD Monster Charity Auction at the Commercial Club in Albury, on Friday 24th October, 2008. The evening was a resounding success. PP John ROBERTS was the MC for the auction, and he kept the program rolling along, introducing dancers from the Border Dance Works who entertained with demonstrations of various dance styles during the evening.

The auction was booked out and some 170 Rotarians, friends, families and supporters enjoyed an excellent three course meal, lively entertainment and great fellowship prior to the major auction taking place.

Dr. James DEAN from Monash University was the major speaker, and he spoke of his interest in and research into Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, which affects 1 in 500 worldwide. PKD affects more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, sickle cell anemia and Huntington's disease - combined.

Jenni MILLER, the convener of the PKD Foundation in Australia also addressed those present, and spoke of her experiences dealing with PKD, as her husband Damian is a sufferer. Damian has recently received a kidney transplant (non matching) from his mother Christine. Christine lost her husband Peter to PKD some years ago. Jenni and Damian have two young boys who have a 50% chance of developing PKD later in life.

A local recipient of a recent kidney transplant as a result of PKD, Donna Sedzonia spoke of her experiences, and gave a first hand report of how PKD had affected her and her family, and how she was adjusting to life with a new kidney. Donna received a matching kidney transplant from her husband Henry.

A "Silent Auction" with 28 lots ran at the back of the room for the duration of the evening. Items donated by sponsors Bunnings, "The Lighting Shop", Footsteps Podiatry, Henri's Bakery, the Dederang Store, Ashlin Computers , Mobil Service Centre, the Bended Elbow and Princess House, to list only some, were eagerly sort throughout the evening. The most unusual item on offer was a 1930 Kodac 1A box camera. donated by PE Darrell MARTIN. It attracted many bids and was purchased by a camera buff.

The major auction, with 61 items up for sale, saw spirited bidding and kept auctioneer Braham METRY busy. Most items sold quickly. A Quintrex 350E Explorer fishing boat, with a 15 HP Mercury motor and Quintrex trailer from Leigh Martin Marine was the largest and most expensive item sold.

With items such as a Lamp Table and Coffee Table crafted by Davis Furniture from Australian Blackwood Timber supplied by Corsair Sustainable Timbers, Yackandandah, 40 sq.m. of spray paving from Spray Pave Australia, a sun lounge from Wodonga Plant Farm, two night accommodation at "Edelweiss Cottage B & B" at Dederang, a 10kg block of chocolate from Cadbury Schweppes, financial guidance from Bridges Personal Investment Services and a forklift driving course from Workforce Training Solutions - to name a few, the range of items up for auction was varied and wide.

In a comedy skit, just before the auction of a set of Bridgestone Gold golf clubs bag and buggy from The House of Golf- Bernie & the Bear, PP Ian ELSTON, suitable dressed in 1940-50's golfing attire entered the Stanley Room of the Commercial Club calling "Has anyone seen my ball?"

That got the golf enthusiasts bidding, and I think the clubs went for over $700. Sports fans bid for various memorabilia - a Doug Hawkins framed and signed Western Bulldogs jumper, a Casey Stoner MotoGP World Champion poster, framed Bathurst poster signed by Craig Lowndes and Jamie Wincup and a football signed by Carlton players quickly passed their reserve and were taken home by the winning bidders.

One unique item donated by the Kneebone family was a print by our late PP Eddie KNEEBONE, which in fact went to one of our club members after spirited bidding. Cash donations on the night of $2,000 from T and P Miller, $1,000 from JWS Transport , and $500 from WAW Credit Union boosted the total collected on the night.

Treasurer Marie MAROTTA reports that the nett amount raised from the evening exceeded $18,000, every dollar of which will be going to the PKD Foundation and Dr. James DEAN for his research into PKD at Monash University.

Great credit must go to Pres. Robert VOSS, PP's Gordon ASHLIN and John ROBERTS, Rotarians Ian and Donna SHIRLEY, secretary Lorraine LAWRY and their committee who put together a wonderful night. With the generous support of our many sponsors, a fun and fellowship night that raised substantial funds for a very worthy cause was enjoyed by all.

Peter ROGERS
Bulletin Editor.
Rotary Club of Wodonga.

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