General News
6 August, 2025
New benchmark in Thunder fundraising
The Southern Mallee Thunder’s annual Goods and Services Auction has surpassed its previous fundraising record, pulling in 56 per cent more than last year’s total.
Held in the Jeparit club rooms after Thunder clashes with Ararat on Saturday, July 26, the auction featured a mix of online bidding and live sales, with around 150 people in attendance.
One of the SMT committee members and the fundraising organiser, Georgia Hallam, said the club is pleased with the level of support.
“The amount raised honestly surprised us,” she said.
“There were some really generous contributions this year, and it all adds up to a really great total.
“The bidding was strong both online and in the room.”
In total, 180 items were auctioned, with 1290 bids placed by the 168 active bidders.
The club offered a mix of online items and live auctions.
“We probably had eight or ten items that weren’t on the online auction that we sold in the rooms on the night,” she said.
Ms Hallam said the popular items on the night were: A 3kg jar of honey that went for $400, memorabilia, an Essendon footy jumper that fetched $1000, and dressed lambs that always attract competitive bids.
The club also sold 60 Indigenous SMT jumpers on the night.
“We actually auctioned off the special Indigenous jumpers on Saturday as well,” Hallam said.
“The most popular one went for over $400, as we sold every single one of those, and there were a lot of bids on them.”
When asked how the goods were collected, Ms Hallam credited it to the SMT’s network.
“We have a really good base of sponsors throughout our district, and then our committee approaches them annually just to ask if they’re willing to donate again,” she said.
“And then people also submit things separately to that — club members.”
The money raised from the night will go towards club operations, including Guernseys and the general running of the club.
Ms Hallam expressed gratitude to both donors and the bidders.
“To our donors - your generosity packed the shelves and kicked off a big couple of weeks,” she said.
“To our bidders - you didn’t just show up, you actually competed and sometimes against your own better judgment.
"They are really good at making sure that we sell every single item."