Local auctioneer has role in big Mt Hotham charity event

THE famous ‘Big Gig’ fundraising event for the Mt Hotham Volunteer Ski Patrol was held on Saturday night and Phillip Island real estate agent, Greg Price played a key role.

Turning over thousands of dollars for the ski patrol, the annual auction benefitted by the donation of dozens of valuable items including ski equipment and clothing from ski hire and equipment/clothing retailer Snow Monkey, dining certificates from Sir Loins steak house and a range of accommodation packages.

But the auction item that everyone wanted was an original, 1984 poster map of Mt Hotham as it was when the Brockhoff Poma was still spinning and ‘The Orchard’ expansion area was only visited by intrepid back country skiers.

After a colourful build-up by Mt Hotham identity DJ Eddy alias Buff Farnell, auctioneer Greg Price knocked the 40-year-old framed poster down to a lucky punter for $2500.

It was enough to send lodge managers scurrying home to see if their prints of the historic, valuable map were still hanging on the wall attracting little more than a passing interest.

But it was all for a good cause and with a range of items also available for bidding online, proceeds from the 2024 Big Gig surged up towards a record, despite the tightness of the economy and a year of modest snowfall across the Victorian Alps.

Overall, the night was a huge success with upwards of $40,000 raised, a decent swag of that from the silent auction online. The whole event wrapped up with a couple of feature auctions, the sale of a Working Dog guitar and the original 'Gun Barrel' ski run sign donated by Mt Hotham Supermarket where it has graced the wall for a couple of decades.

Imogen Price who played the guitar and sang on the night donated the guitar which went back to South Gippsland for $3800 and the Gun Barrel sign provided a final boost for the event selling for $6000.

It was a great result for all those involved.

Mt Hotham wouldn't be Mt Hotham without the amazing team of volunteer Ski Patrol members who circulate around the mountain all season long and as well bringing in some much-needed project and equipment funding, the annual event is also a demonstration of community support with the venue for the Big Gig, The General hotel, filled to capacity with bidders and revellers.