Farm machinery to go under the hammer for charity

It will be a bitter sweet moment when Peter Kurrle sells his Kiote tractor in the Ulverstone Lions Club “Every Move Matters” auction at Sprent Recreation Ground on October 18.

He and wife Dianne have been hobby farming at Kindred for the past 10 years, breeding beef cattle and planning their retirement move to the 16ha property.

However Dianne’s illness means new priorities and the farm is going on the market, while their son takes over their Ulverstone business, Carpet Central.

But the tractor will be sold for a good cause, one of 200 lots of farm machinery to be auctioned to raise money for the North West Regional Hospital which needs four portable humidicribs for newborn babies and two bariatric beds for adult patients.

Peter, who is membership director for the Lions Club of Ulverstone, said the decision was easier to make when there was an opportunity to support his Club and a local essential service.

“When the auction was organised it became a great opportunity, rather than selling through an agent, it’s worth around $40,000 and the Club will get an eight percent commission, that’s more than $3000 that will go into the kitty.

“All items auctioned under $1000 will attract a 10 percent commission - that’s how we’ll raise the money we need.”

Club president Gus Gleeson said that there had been great interest in the auction, with some real treasures coming out of the woodwork.

“We’re only accepting 200 entries so they’ll be quality items and it’s a chance to pick up a good buy and raise money for the hospital,” he said.

“The Sprent Community Centre committee will be helping with the event and putting on morning tea, our chef Gordon Dix will run the barbecue and Nutrien auctioneer Rodney Miles has offered to conduct the sale.”

The auction adds to a long list of projects the Lions Club of Ulverstone has been involved with this year,  including putting carpet into the Sprent Community Centre, giving $15,000 toward a Lions national campaign for the Hearing Dogs, $5000 to the Tasmanian Dogs Home - all up $100,000 in the past year has been raised for individuals and charity organisations.

The Club’s Community Shop in The Quadrant, Ulverstone, accounts for much of its revenue, thanks to the work of volunteers and support from Midway Furniture and other local businesses.

Another major fundraiser, a country music concert to be held at Preston in November, will also help towards the $100,000 needed for the hospital equipment.

“The auction will be a great day out on a Saturday and whether bidding or not it’s a nice chance to catch up with other members of the farming community,” Butch Hamilton said.

“To include an auction item people can contact me on 0438 255 434.”

A full list of items to be auctioned will appear in Tas Country on Friday, October 10.