At the Elders wool auction were, from left, Darren Hayward, Omeo; Geoff Pollard, Helimed Auxiliary, Russell Foster, Omeo; Luke Nicholls,. Stratford, and; Minke Bennett, Helimed Auxiliary president.

GIPPSLAND wool growers and Elders have enjoyed strong buyer support to raise $13,450 for the Helimed Ambulance Auxiliary in the latest charity wool auction.

The fifth auction of wool donated by Gippsland wool growers on January 23 to support the Helimed Auxiliary has brought the total raised over five years to $60,000.

Elders district wool manager Mal Nicholls said this year’s donations of wool, first displayed at the Omeo show, totalled 390kg in two bales of some of the best wool grown in the country.

“The support of Gippsland’s wool growers has been fantastic, as has the support from the wool buyers.

“Modiano Australia again purchased the main bale with a bid of 5400 cents per kilogram with Lou Morsch bidding strongly for them,” he said.

“Australian Merino Exports purchased the second bale for 1650 cents per kilogram with Chris Kelly doing the buying for them.

“The total raised coming to $13,450.”

Mr Nicholls said the generosity of the wool buyers in supporting us here in Gippsland is very much appreciated and at times a little overwhelming.

“The market value of the wool donated was about $5800.

“This means the buyers of the wool have contributed a further $7600,” he said.

“This has pushed the total raised over 5 years to $60,000 which is massive in itself.

“It is an even greater achievement when you talk with the paramedics and listen to their stories regarding the lives that have been saved with the assistance of equipment purchased with this money,” Mr Nicholls said.

“Big thanks go to our wool growers, the wool buyers, Elders auction staff and particularly Belinda and Noeleen Smith and the committee of the Omeo show.

The specifications of the two wool lots were: Lot 1, 17.7 micron, 0.4 percent VM, 72.4pc yield,   114mm staple length, 34Newtons/kilotex tensile strength, 78 mid-point, 190kg, and; Lot 2, 17.7 micron, 0.3pc VM, 70.4pc yield, 96mm, 32N/kt, 55 mid-point, 202kg.