Treasure from trash

By Danielle Galvin
SINCE 1965, trash and treasure trawlers have been looking forward to the annual White Elephant Sale hosted by the Pakenham Rotary Club.
The clearing sale and auction gives residents a chance to get rid of their unwanted items, or perhaps those cherished, well-loved belongings they can no longer stand the sight of.
In previous years, money raised from the sale went towards community projects the club wanted to help out.
When the sale was first run in 1965, Rotarians used a vacant block of land in Station Street in Pakenham to invite residents to trade in and swap items that had been taking up space in their garages for far too long.
But the white elephant sale has become something of an institution since its humble beginning. 46 years on, the sale and auction continues to be a day to look forward to.
Kevin Sheean, former Rotary president, calls the white elephant sale his ‘Rotary baby’.
“As I have been involved with its growth very closely for 30 years I do feel like a hovering parent,” he said.
The sale is an annual day out for some regulars.
“The oldies in Pakenham see it as a fun day out. It’s bargains galore for those who come along. We have a barbecue and often people from Warragul are driving past and want to check it out,” he said.
Mr Sheean has been organising the sale for three decades. He estimates that over 1000 people come along on the day to the sale each year, usually in dribs and drabs.
“Two years ago, we had a huge storm and I thought about calling it off, but I think I would have been lynched if I had!” he joked.
Items sold in previous years include cars, fridges, tables, books and lamp shades, to name a few.
Rotarians and club members volunteer to run the sale. Mr Sheean says organising and displaying all of the items can be a logistical challenge, but it is something he continues to enjoy.
“In the end the community benefits from the sale. They get rid of stuff, and the money raised goes back into the community,” he said.
Since the beginning of the sale, nearly $200,000 has been raised for a variety of community projects.
“Our board changes each year. They meet after the sale to allocate the funds raised depending on what is required in the community. Every year who we donate to changes, depending on the need,” he said.
While the sale may have been around for nearly 50 years, it doesn’t seem like the annual event will be drawing to a close anytime soon.
This year’s white elephant sale will be on 26 November at 9am, followed by the clearing sale at noon, at the Pakenham Recreation Reserve on Princes Highway.