News

Auction raises thousands for youth homelessness fund

By Bree Harding

May 21, 2026

Salvation Army North East Youth Services youth participation worker and event organiser Jim Gow shows donated items while local auctioneer Kevin Hicks conducts the auction at Shepparton Brewery. Photo by Bree Harding

Thousands more dollars have boosted a youth homelessness fund for future transitional housing at a successful first charity auction by Shepparton’s Salvation Army North East Youth Services.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

On the back of the NEYS annual April outdoor sleepout event, Under the Same Stars, and its incorporated Miles From Home running and walking event, the service provider held the goods and services auction at Shepparton Brewery on May 19.

The guest speakers, runners Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino, and event ambassador Jac McCarty, joined NEYS youth partcipation worker and event organiser Jim Gow on a panel to discuss the earlier sleepout and running events and outline their reasons for being involved.

Businesses and individuals donated items such as professional league sporting jerseys, grazing platters, artwork, appliances, tools, lawn mowers, printing and design, and more to go under the hammer when local auctioneer Kevin Hicks opened bidding.

The final total from the auction night is yet to be tallied; however, Mr Gow said he estimated around $8500 was raised from the auction, cover charge and donations.

“We’re ecstatic with the result of the auction night,” Mr Gow said.

“When combined with our $50,000 raised from the Under the Same Stars featuring Miles from Home event and the auction night, to reach nearly $60,000 is truly staggering.

“We can’t thank our supporters, sponsors, partners and donors enough. This is very much a community effort.”

Initially, Mr Gow had considering blending the auction April’s sleepout event held overnight at Deakin Reserve on Youth Homelessness Day, but wanted to avoid taking away from the experience’s atmosphere and message.

Shepparton Brewery hosted the auction, providing ticket holders with a two-course dinner and drink for $30 a head, which was donated back to NEYS.

“We thank the brewery for their sponsorship and partnership,” Mr Gow said.

Mr Gow said he hadn’t thought much further ahead than this year’s auction, but given its success, NEYS would consider making it an annual event like the sleepout.

He alluded to another large event “in the pipeworks”, but remained tight-lipped on details, saying all would be revealed when it was “signed, sealed and ready to deliver”.

NEYS has made a five-year commitment to running the Under the Same Stars event, with Mr Gow predicting the Miles from Home component will only grow.

“We’d love people to join us with this moving forward,” Mr Gow said.

“Join us in being a part of creating the change you want to see for our great town.”