NSW: Trash and treasure at State Rail lost property auction

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2003
NSW: Trash and treasure at State Rail lost property auction

By Emma Ambler

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - One person's trash may be another's treasure but so might somebody
else's lost property.

More than 600 categories of unclaimed items, left at railway stations and on trains,
were auctioned by the State Rail Authority (SRA) in Sydney today.

Binoculars, lawn bowls, records, and even a wrestling video and "retro-stripe silk-look
tracksuit" were part of the loot up for sale, a spokesman said.

A Royal Albert China tea set also featured, along with a Royal Doulton "Harry Potter" figurine.

And if you thought you were the only one this winter to leave your umbrella behind
on the train, think again.

So many of them turned up - nearly 400 - they had to be auctioned in scores.

In the Australiana category were items including a didgeridoo, Dryzabone jacket and
even a swagman's swagbag.

A box of assorted lingerie was sure to have raised a few eyebrows, while a bag of foreign
currency would probably have been among the more profitable bids.

But it was a classic 1976 Maton acoustic guitar which stole the day, selling for $1,800.

Around 300 people turned out for the auction, and SRA Lost Property said word of the
sale revived inquiries about long-forgotten items.

Property was kept for at least two months before becoming part of the auction, normally
held twice a year.

All proceeds would go back to the Lost Property division, the SRA said.

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KEYWORD: AUCTION

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