Auction boosts bushfire appeal

By Lia Bichel
A SURVIVOR of Black Saturday has made a purchase that will inevitably help others affected by the Victoria bushfires.
Former Kinglake West resident, Robert Richings was the highest bidder for a fully furnished house-and-land package at a charity auction in Mernda two weeks ago.
The package was donated by Porter Davis and Stockland and was sold for $400,000.
Mr Riching said he was proud that his purchase supported others affected by the Victorian bushfires.
“It helps knowing where the money’s going,” he said.
Besides losing his newly renovated house and all his possessions in the fires, Mr Richings also lost many of his friends.
“It was devastating,” he said. “So it’s great knowing that Porter Davis and Stockland put the time and effort into raising money for bushfire victims.”
First National also supported the event, supplying the auctioneers, Paul Walker and Narre Warren First National managing director Ross Neilson.
“It was fantastic to be part of it,” Mr Neilson said.
Mr Richings and his wife Jenny hope to move into their new home in the next 14 to 16 weeks.