Guitars and surfboards up for grabs at BNE Lost Property Auction
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The 2024 Brisbane Airport Lost Property Auction is officially underway, featuring some 500 items left behind by the 22.6 million passengers who travelled through the terminal in the past year.
Despite efforts to reunite owners with their belongings, many items remain unclaimed well beyond the standard holding period.
Brisbane Airport (BNE) holds an auction once a year, with proceeds benefiting young Queenslanders through the Courier-Mail Children’s Fund. Last year’s auction raised A$80,000, assisting TrekShed’s youth programme in collaboration with PCYC and Little Wings, which flies sick children from regional areas to the city for treatment.
A total of 486 lots are going under the virtual hammer allowing people to grab a bargain in the lead-up to Christmas.
There are no reserves on any items, so everything must go, with the sale process run by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers.
“This auction is hugely popular because it offers people a chance to snag a bargain while knowing their money is supporting young Queenslanders in need,” said Peter Doherty, Brisbane Airport’s media and corporate affairs manager.
“It is simply bizarre some of the items left behind by the 60,000 passengers passing through Brisbane Airport each day.”
Some of the more unusual items going under the hammer include a set of poker chips & playing cards; surfboards and boogie boards; fishing equipment – rods & reels including a A$1,700 reel for marlin fishing; sleds; a massage table; guitars; a large JBL boombox and a Ninja Blender.
While more common items include:
- Tech items – a huge range of phones, laptops, iPads, phonebanks, air tags, headphones, AirPods, printer and more
- Cameras & photography equipment including Canon 5D with 70-200mm lens
- Jewellery – bangles, rings, bracelets, ear rings, chains/necklaces, pendants etc
- Watches
- Handbags
- Sunglasses
- Umbrellas
- Books
“There are items to entertain you, surprise you, and even relax you, with a full massage table that’s been left behind in our terminal,” adds Doherty.
“There’s even CPAP machines for a better night’s sleep. Whether you want to unwind after your travels, jam out on a guitar, or get your game on with a Sony PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch, our lost property auction has something for everyone.
“You might even find a stylish handbag, a unique piece of jewellery, or a fishing rod to inspire your next adventure. Don’t miss the chance to discover your next favourite find!”
Airport memorabilia
To boost the fundraising effort, Brisbane Airport has added special items:
- 12-month Brisbane Airport Parking
- Behind the scenes airside tour at Brisbane Airport
- Core samples from Brisbane’s legacy runway cut during the recent renovation of the threshold
- Runway signs used on the airfield
Sports memorabilia
The Brisbane Lions are the hottest team in town right now and there are some cool items as part of the auction.
A Lions VIP experience package including: 2024 Team Home Signed Guernsey with a Certificate of Authentication; 4 x tickets to a 2025 Brisbane Lions home game at the Gabba (game selection subject to availability); and life sized cutouts of Charlie Cameron (signed), Dane Zorko (signed), Lachie Neale and Cam Reyner.
From the Brisbane Heat, a VIP experience package including 4 x VIP tickets to WBBL10 home game (Gold Tickets – General Admission); 4 x VIP tickets to BBL14 home game (Gold Tickets – General Admission); and 1 x money can’t buy experience at BBL|14 home game including pre-game pitch walk. View of bat flip and on-field photo opportunity.
Help us solve a mystery
There are two items not included in the auction due to their irreplaceable sentimental value The airport is seeking the public’s help to find the owner of a set of medals which were left behind.
These medals belong to a decorated Australian Defence Force member who served in the Vietnam War and also in the 2011 Queensland Floods and 2019 North Queensland Bushfires.
“These are extremely precious items, and we’re confident that with the media attention the lost property auction receives, someone will be able to connect us with the family of this veteran with a very distinguished service record,” noted Doherty.
Anyone with information can contact feedback@bne.com.au
The second mystery item is the XXXX Mode Plate from a 1200m race at Doomben on December 5, 2020, won by the horse Isotope.
“Isotope won $1.2 million over its career, but how the plate from this race ended up lost in our terminal in 2024 is anyone’s guess,” added Doherty.
Auction end
The online auction will end on Sunday 27 October with lots progressively closed off from 10am and continuing throughout the day.
To bid for any of the items, head to bne.com.au/auction