PHOTO: Tom Panos auctions off Mick Fanning’s surf board at AREC, with proceeds going to Northern NSW flood victims.
A surfboard owned by Mick Fanning raked in $17,000 at a charity auction held at this year’s Australasian Real Estate Conference.
The auction was organised through Craig Deveson, the founder of digital media and marketing company Properti, to raise awareness and money for flood-affected communities.
Mr Deveson, who was a victim of the recent floods on the Tweed, joined property guru Tom Panos on stage to share his story.
Three-time WSL champion Mick Fanning at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.
“The Tweed was hit hard by the floods and the SES had already moved most of their resources to Lismore. What that left was a great void. We soon realised that help wasn’t coming and we would have to help ourselves,” Mr Deveson said.
Craig Deveson of Properti wants to raise money for the people of the Tweed affected by the floods.
“Water was rising fast at my property and I had a kayak ready to paddle to higher ground when I saw a jetski go past. I waved it down and it was Mick Fanning and other members of the local surfing community. He took me to another property, where myself and three families remained stranded for three days,” he said.
Mick Fanning helping to rescue Tweed residents on his jetski during the floods in March.
“The next day Mick came back and helped me transfer food, fuel and a generator and he gave me his number saying to call him if I ever needed anything.
“So I asked him if he would donate a surf board to raise some money for flood resilience for the community, and he was more than happy to help.
“Real estate has had a very good year and I wanted to see the industry give something back to the community.
“What better chance than at AREC where you have a captive audience of up to 4500 agents.”
Mr Panos turned auctioneer to sell the board, with the winning bid placed by Sunshine Coast buyer’s agent Simon Thomas.
Mr Deveson said he was blown away by the result.
More than 4000 delegates attended AREC 2022 on the Gold Coast.
“I thought if we raised $10,000 that would be good, but to reach $17,000 was just incredible,” he said.
The proceeds will go to the Tumbulgum-Tweed River Resilience Recovery Appeal.
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