
If there's one place to be on Friday night it's the Coachman Hotel in Parkes as Michael Dumesny gears up for one enormous night of fundraising.
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It's all in the name of Eugowra and the prizes are as big as the crowd is expected to be.
With the help of many, Dumesny has got his hands on nine signed NRL jerseys and Nathan Lyon's Test shirt signed by the entire 2022/23 Australian Test side for the fundraising auction and raffle.
Pommy NRL legend Elliott Whitehead's match-worn World Cup English boots signed with Raiders and English player numbers will also go under the hammer, as well as champion jockey Tommy Berry's race silks signed by the entire Sydney Jockey's Room.
Dumesny, known to most as a Central West race caller, is one of the men behind Team Flood Relief, the fundraising initiative that saw many of the biggest names in harness racing donate part of their winnings throughout December to flood relief in Eugowra and Forbes.
Now he's back with this 'massive' fundraiser auction for the Eugowra community that starts at 6.30pm.
Dumesny says the merchandise and memorabilia donated towards the cause is "absolutely unreal".
"It's very humbling to think that we could get the support of people we have, from Nathan Lyon, the second best bowler ever for Australia to Jarrod Croker who's going to be probably one of the most prolific point scorers in NRL history," he said.
"Right to young kids like Benny Lovett and Billy Burns who are coming through from Parkes, it's very humbling and I'm really excited to put these items under the hammer."
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It's all grown from a few text messages to friends and connections in and beyond our community, particularly through rugby league and harness racing communities Dumesny is heavily involved in.
"You just want to help your mates, that's why I thought we had to do something like this," he said.
"I've got lots of good friends there, it's a great community with great community spirit.
"When this all happened I was absolutely heartbroken for the town.
"Only four weeks before we were there celebrating that massive day, the Canola Cup, and I was quite proud saying it was the best Carnival of Cups anywhere in Australia."
More than anything, Dumesny is urging people to come together on the night to enjoy themselves and show their support for the Eugowra community - whether that's financially through the auction or with your presence.
He's also keenly aware of good friends and those in harness racing heavily impacted by floods in other communities including Forbes and Cowra.
"The night's all about having a good night out," he said.
"To see those people have a little bit of joy, enjoy their night, will be worth it 100 per cent."
There are reserves, and items not snapped up on the night might become available online afterwards.
Dumesny is also allowing those who can't make it on the night but still like to bid on any of the items, to send him a direct message on his Facebook page and register their mobile number and items they are interested in.
"We will call on the night when the desired item comes up. We will have plenty of phones ready to go to help," he said.
Former Eugowra Eagles captain-coach will be the auctioneer, Greg Hush will be playing live and there will be lucky door prizes and games.
Attendees are also encouraged to 'wear something Eugowra'.
Among the auction and raffle items are:
- Five night's accommodation in Merimbula with $200 in fuel to get you there and back. Proudly donated by Shane Robinson and his team at Steel Supplies Bega.
- Five corporate tickets to Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos at Penrith Park on March 3 with food and drink provided. Proudly supplied by Tooheys. Also included in this package is two nights' accommodation at Panthers Mercure for the five people. Proudly donated by Coachman Hotel Parkes.
- A fully signed St George Illawarra Dragons jumper, humbly donated by Dragons first grader and former Parkes Spacemen Rugby League junior Billy Burns.
- Signed 2021 Penrith Panthers jumper, kindly organised by Forbes Magpies Rugby League co-captain/coach Mitchell Andrews.
- Orange's own Jack Wighton's 2022 World Cup captains run jersey signed by the Kangaroos team.
- Champion jockey Tommy Berry race silks signed by the entire Sydney Jockey's Room.
- Kiwi international Jordan Rapana's match-worn 150th NRL jersey signed by the team.
- 2023 Signed Canberra Raiders jersey also signed by club legends Ricky Stuart #98, Ruben Wiki #153 and local Forbes Magpies Rugby League junior Josh Miller #243.
- Pommy legend Elliott Whitehead match-worn World Cup English boots signed with Raiders and English player numbers.
- Nathan Lyon Test shirt signed by the entire 2022/23 Australian Test side.
- Canterbury Bulldogs signed jumper.
- West Tigers signed jumper.
The following thanks to South Sydney Rabbitohs, Benjamin Lovett and Claudia Lovett for organising and donating all of this...
- NSW player and Souths captain Cameron Murray's 2021 NRL Grand Final jumper, signed by the team.
- Fully signed Souths jumper by this year's top 30 squad.
- A limited edition South Sydney members jumper from 2022.
- A VIP player exposure experience on game day with the Bunnies. This includes a private function before the game, premium food and beverage, and quality seats at Accor Stadium at a Souths' home game for four people.
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