An $11,000 18-karat gold-diamond necklace is the star of Brisbane Airport’s annual lost property auction now under way.
The annual event features a $1 reserve on all lots with bidding due to close on November 2.
The airport says the Bvlgari necklace is the star item of 800 lots, the largest in the auction’s history.
The items have been left behind by the 24 million passengers who passed through the airport in the past year despite efforts to reunite the items with their owners.
To celebrate the airport’s centenary, historic aviation-related items are also up for auction thanks to Aviation Australia, the airport says.
These lots include aircraft seats, a blackbox (flight data recorder), runway lights and signs, a private airport tour, a plane spotter accommodation and viewing package, Ansett lifejackets – and 12 months of free parking at the airport.
The money raised will go to children’s charity Courier-Mail Children’s Fund; last year’s auction raised $90,000, the airport says.
Recent recipients include Little Wings, Baby Give Back, Fair Fight Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Queensland.
APART FROM THE NECKLACE
“There’s nothing better than grabbing a bargain, especially when you know the money is going to help young Queenslanders thanks to fantastic charities,” said Brisbane Airport spokesperson Peter Doherty.
“It’s always surprising and even a little bizarre to see what gets left behind by the 70,000 passengers who pass through Brisbane Airport each day.”
Doherty says their goal is to raise $100,000 from the auction; the current bid for the necklace (Monday 12 noon AEST) is roughly $5300.
Other unclaimed items under the hammer include games, laptops, cameras, drones, CPAP machines, jewellery, surfboards, beach cabanas, musical instruments and scooters.
The Brisbane Lions (AFL), Brisbane Heat (cricket) and Brisbane Roar (soccer) also donated sporting items and experiences; these involve signed jerseys, match tickets and taking part in the game day guard of honour.
The sales process is run by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers.
“This is a highly anticipated auction every year, bidders never know what they might find,” says Anthony McLeod, the Lloyd’s auctioneer.
“It is literally like digging through a treasure trove and bidders are guaranteed to find a bargain here with all items listing from $1.”
Lots will be progressively closed off on Sunday November 2 with bidding on premium items featured in special livestream from 10am.
To view the full list of items and bid, head online to bne.com.au/auction
OTHER AIRPORT AUCTION NEWS: Auckland’s nine tonnes of lost airport luggage finding its way to new homes – NewsCop
