Sydney Airport’s popular annual Lost Property Auction for charity has kicked off today, with more than 2,500 unclaimed items up for grabs.
All the money raised in the auction will be donated to the Harding Miller Education Foundation, which awards four-year scholarships to high school girls with high academic potential who are experiencing disadvantage.
Josh Clements, Sydney Airport General Manager of Corporate Affairs, said “Our lost property auction is one of our most important charity events and with $1.6m raised since 2013 it’s clear the public love nabbing a bargain in support of a worthy cause.”
“There’s something for everyone with plenty of great tech, clothing, accessories and beauty products as well as a host of unique items like a massage table, an electric scooter, a leaf blower and a quintessential Aussie favourite, a jaffle maker.
“It’s great to see these unclaimed items find new homes while also supporting a charity that’s offering comprehensive scholarships to help level the playing field for high school girls facing disadvantage.”
Cara Varian, Harding Miller Education Foundation executive chairperson, said, “We tell our young students that the sky’s the limit, so it’s a thrill to be chosen by Sydney Airport to be this year’s auction beneficiary. We will be using all the money raised to support high potential high school girls in the suburbs surrounding the airport who are experiencing disadvantage with life-changing scholarships.
“Educating girls is a powerful way to break the vicious cycle of poverty and inequality because we know that for every additional year of education, a woman will increase her income by up to 25 per cent.”
2020–2023 scholarship recipient, Sapphire Truong, is now in her first year of university studying for a Bachelor of Applied Health. The 18-year-old says the support she received over the last four years of high school through the Harding Miller Foundation scholarship has changed the course of her life.
“As the daughter of a refugee, the scholarship opened up doors I never thought were possible, giving me the opportunity to attend tutoring, school excursions and events and get resources that would have otherwise been out of reach for me. One of the reasons I’ve decided to study to become an occupational therapist is because the Harding Miller Education Foundation has inspired me to want to give back to my community,” said Sapphire Truong.
The 2024 Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction for charity includes:
- 150+ laptops
- 300+ headphones & ear buds
- 100+ phones and tablets
- 320+ jewellery items
- 200+ watches
- 200+ sunglasses and glasses
- 120+ bottles of wine/spirits
- an electric scooter
- a wedding dress
- a jaffle maker and kettle
- a leaf blower
- a framed and autographed photo of Lionel Messi
- a Star Wars Storm Trooper voice activated helmet, a Darth Vader helmet and a collection of lightsabers.
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers director, Casi Prischl, said: “The Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction is one of our most popular events with bidders from across the country getting involved.”
“There are lots of hot items up for grabs this year, including laptops, headphones, tablets, bottles of brand-new perfume and some beautiful pieces of jewellery.
“May the force be with Star Wars fans bidding in the auction because we have a Storm Trooper voice activated helmet, a Darth Vader helmet as well as a collection of lightsabers available.
“Opening bids start at just $10, which means shoppers have a chance to grab a great deal while also supporting an impactful charity.”
With millions of passengers passing through Sydney Airport every month, unfortunately things do get left behind, which is why there’s a dedicated team working hard to reunite lost property with travellers.
Last year, Sydney Airport reunited more than 5,000 lost items with passengers but what remains unclaimed gets donated to local charities or repurposed through the Lost Property Auction.
It’s important to note that lost checked bags are handled by airlines and are not included in the auctions. People searching for lost baggage should contact their airline directly.
Auction Details
- Tech & Gaming | Saturday 4 May to Saturday 11 May, closing at 10am
- Sunglasses, Bags, Scarves & Accessories | Saturday 4 May to Saturday 11 May, closing at 2pm
- Jewellery & Watches | Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 10am
- Clothing | Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 2pm
- Beauty, Alcohol, Home | Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 4pm
Items can be posted out at charge or picked up by appointment from 118 Coruna Lane, Stanmore, NSW 2048
About the Harding Miller Education Foundation
The Harding Miller Education Foundation supports teenage girls through a $20,000 scholarship over four years, which provides the tools and resources for recipients to not only complete high school but to reach their potential and build pathways to tertiary education.
Since 2016, over 1,200 scholarships have been awarded to girls from more than 400 schools in every state and territory in Australia.
The 4-year scholarship includes:
- A high-quality laptop in the first year
- High speed internet & remote IT support
- $2,500 worth of online of face-to-face tutoring
- Online homework help such as uniforms, textbooks, and school excursions
- Prepaid expense cards for essential school needs
All administrative costs are covered by the foundation founders, and 100 per cent of donations go directly to fund the scholarships for students.
