Lost property auction raises a record $267,000 for charity

Sydney Airport’s popular annual Lost Property Auction was held in May 2024, raising a record $267,000 for charity - the largest annual total since the charity auctions began in 2013.

More than 2,500 items were sold, including a variety of tech gadgets, jewellery, accessories, and unique items like a wedding dress and believe it or not – even a leaf blower.

Since 2013, Sydney Airport has raised approximately $1.9 million through these auctions for charity and community groups. In 2023, $200,000 was raised in the Lost Property Auction for Bayside Women’s Shelter.

Sydney Airport General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Josh Clements said the lost property auction is one of the airport’s most important charity events.

“With $1.9 million raised since 2013 it’s clear the public love nabbing a bargain in support of a worthy cause,” Mr Clements said.

“It was great to see these unclaimed items find new homes while also supporting a charity offering comprehensive scholarships to help level the playing field for high school girls facing disadvantage.”

All proceeds from the 2024 auction went to the Harding Miller Education Foundation to award 13 high school girls from the local community experiencing disadvantage with life-changing scholarships.

The Foundation supports teenage girls through a $20,000 scholarship over four years, which provides the tools and resources for recipients to not only complete high school but to reach their potential and build pathways to tertiary education.

Harding Miller Education Foundation executive chairperson, Cara Varian said the Foundation was delighted to be the recipients of the auction proceeds.

“We tell our young students that the sky’s the limit, so it’s a thrill to be chosen by Sydney Airport to be this year’s auction beneficiary,” Ms Varian said.

“Educating girls is a powerful way to break the vicious cycle of poverty and inequality because we know that for every additional year of education, a woman will increase her income by up to 25 per cent.”

Caption: Channel 9 Today Show weather presenter, Sarah Stewart, interviewing Harding Miller Education Foundation executive chairperson, Cara Varian and scholarship recipients, Sapphire and Zelda Truong.

The 4-year scholarship includes:

• A high-quality laptop in the first year
• High speed internet and remote IT support
• $2,500 worth of online face-to-face tutoring
• Online homework help such as uniforms, textbooks, and school excursions
• Prepaid expense cards for essential school needs

All administrative costs are covered by the foundation's founders, and 100 percent of donations go directly to fund the scholarships for students.

Previous scholarship recipient from 2020–2023, 18-year-old Sapphire Truong said the support she received over the last 4 years of high school through the Harding Miller Foundation scholarship changed the course of her life.

"As the daughter of a refugee, the scholarship opened up doors I never thought were possible, giving me the opportunity to attend tutoring, school excursions and events and get resources that would have otherwise been out of reach for me.

“One of the reasons I've decided to study to become an occupational therapist is because the Harding Miller Education Foundation has inspired me to want to give back to my community,” said Sapphire Truong.

This year, the Foundation received a record number of applications for new scholarships and is currently selecting the girls from the area surrounding the airport who will be awarded a scholarship from the funds raised at the auction.

With millions of passengers passing through Sydney Airport every month, unfortunately things do get left behind, which is why there’s a dedicated team working hard to reunite lost property with travellers.

Last year, Sydney Airport reunited more than 5,000 lost items with passengers but what remains unclaimed gets donated to local charities or repurposed through the Lost Property Auction. Lost checked bags are handled by airlines and are not included in the auctions.

The next annual Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction is expected to occur in mid-2025.