Northam Rotary Club’s annual radio auction has this year raised more than $12,000 worth of funds to go back into the community.
Radio auction coordinator Greg Verlinden said the amount is an increase on last year by $700.
“The auction profits have been steadily increasing and the expenditure is minimal,” he said.
“We’ll be able to return $12,000 to the community.
”There are lots of regulars but also lots of new bidders
“One of the most important things is that all of this money will stay in the community.”
Since the auction began in 1987 Northam Rotary has raised more than $332,000.
Rotary president Christine Storer said said the success of the auction is based on the generosity of local businesses.
“Businesses in Northam, Bakers Hill, Toodyay and York donating these items to be auctioned off and also the local community supporting back and paying what they’re bidding for,” she said.
Projects the funds have gone towards include the redevelopment of environmental features in Northam.
“We’ve been supporting the development of Enright Park which is a very popular park in town where people who are travelling through to Goomalling often park up and there is no facilities there,” Ms Storer said.
“We have been doing tree plantings and we’ve built a shelter there.
“The young men at the Clontarf Academy did the aboriginal art work in the shelter and we’re working at the moment with the circle of elders for the signage to go there because we want to have Aboriginal appropriate information on the signs.”
Ms Storer said Rotary are also calling out for local not-for-profit groups to come forward if they need financial support.
She said previously funds have gone to PCYC to help with programs run at the centre on Wellington Street.