Bumper auction crowd

BRETT Collins snapped up antique farm machinery at a Powlett Plains clearing auction on Friday that saw hundreds of bidders travel from across the state.

The Bridgewater and Jarklin farmer and hay contractor’s major buy was a 1937 Sunshine harvester that had been used on the Grigg property until just two years ago.

“I didn’t intend to buy the harvester but after seeing it was in good order, decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Brett who paid $2000 for the addition to his collection.

He also picked up a tractor, an auger and a Furphy tank as more than 600 people, including 240 registrered bidders, followed auctioneer Luke Nevins around the auction lots.

With Brett was his father-inlaw Rod Holland, who recently moved to Bears Lagoon after running the hotel in Brim, to consult before making bids in the spirited auction.

Property owner Daryl Grigg, who has now leased the property in his family since 1932, said his father had bought the harvester new for £800.

“Until a few years ago, we’d still be using it to clean grainswheat, oats, barley,” he said. “It was probably last used in the paddocks 30 years ago.”

Jamie Nevins, of FP Nevins and Co Inglewood, said bidding had been solid at the clearing sale.

“There was a lot of interest and a lot of people present from out- side the district,” he said. “The vendor was renowned for having good, well-maintained and reliable gear that’s still useful for agricultural methods today.”

The large crowd also caught out experienced caterers, Inglewood Lions Club.

Volunteers had to make two trips back into Inglewood for more hamburgers, bacon, eggs and bread.

“We’ve been run off our feet since the first people started arriving,” said club president Robert Condliffe as the last cooked sausages and bacon were sold to bidders preparing to take their