Inaugural ‘Boot Bash’ Charity Auction a Scooting Success

Over $29,000 will help rural and regional students give the cost-of-living crisis ‘the boot’ following a charity auction for the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF).

Last week, CEF teamed up with their principal partner AuctionsPlus to auction 36 lots of generously donated items and experiences in support of the CEF ‘Boot Bash’ initiative.

The goal of the ‘Boot Bash’ is to build awareness of the post-school education participation gap that exists between regional and rural youth compared to their metropolitan peers, and raise additional funds for every CEF student in 2024.

The auction raised a total of $29,400, with the top bidding item attracting $12,000 for a Polaris Ranger SP 530, generously donated by Polaris.

The second highest bidding item was the ‘Beef Australia 2024 Package,’ donated by AuctionsPlus, attracting $4000.

Other generously donated items for the auction included leadership coaching sessions, signed sporting memorabilia, various artworks, holiday accommodation and experiences, leather goods, dining vouchers and more.

The auction was a success with a clearance rate of 86% with 31 lots selling online, attracting over 200 bids and just shy of 11,700 catalogue views.

Wendy Mason, Chief Executive Officer of the CEF was pleased with the auction results and said the funds raised from the initiative will help students the foundation supports this year to address rising costs.

“We are very happy with the results, particularly as it was the first year,” Ms Mason said.

“The funds raised will help us provide a top-up to the grant each student we support this year will receive, to help them cope with the current cost-of-living crisis.”

The CEF currently has 46 foundations across Australia and Ms Mason said partnering with AuctionsPlus helped reach a nationwide audience, generating increased interest in the important work the CEF was undertaking.

“We’ve had interest from some parts of Australia where we don’t have a presence, and there’s been interest in those areas from people wanting to understand how they can get behind the work of the CEF.” Ms Mason said.

“We currently have 46 foundations across Australia. We are wanting to encourage communities where there isn’t currently a CEF, to consider establishing one.”

“It’s a very grass roots driven, volunteer-led effort where we want people to recognise they can assist young people in making the transition into post-school education and employment through the efforts of the CEF.”

Alongside the auction efforts, Ms Mason was delighted with the engagement amongst local communities, “putting on their boots, posting to social media, and hosting events. That all helps to raise awareness.”

Since 1993, more than 8000 young people from rural, regional and remote Australia have benefitted from more than $17 million in CEF scholarships and grants. Over 70% of current CEF students also want to return to a rural or regional area after undertaking their further education or training.

You can donate to the CEF Boot Bash until 31^st March, to raise funds to help rural and regional students give the cost-of-living crisis the boot.