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The Block winners revealed after nail-biting auction

The winners of the 2024 season of The Block have been crowned, after the nail-biting auction came to a dramatic end on Sunday night. In a break from tradition, it was the last house sold that made the most money, with sisters Maddy and Charlotte making a huge $1,550,00 profit from their house, as well as the $100,000 prize money. The sisters, aged just 25 and 22, were in disbelief at how quickly it was all over. <div id="paragraph-9"> <div> “It took us a second to be like, ‘No, no. Like, you just won The Block.’ And I think I was a bit of a stunned mullet,” Maddy said. </div> </div> <div id="paragraph-10"> <div> “I was expecting anticipation and to be, like, ‘Oh, what’s gonna happen next?’ It was like, ‘Well, you’ve won.’ It’s like … time to go. It was the quickest auction of the day; it was over so quickly.” </div> </div> Coming in second were Courtney and Grant with $1,300,050 profit, followed by Kristian and Mimi in third place with $1,030,000. Fourth were Haydn and Ricky who made $750,000 and coming in last, but still smiling, were Kylie and Brad who made $650,000. Kylie, who was embroiled in much on-screen drama this season, said all the hardships of the show were worth it, and they were happy with their result. "It was worth it," she said. "Unfortunately. Because I was a different person here. But… we made it. We're very grateful." Millionaire "Lambo guy" Adrian Portelli made a splash at what he said would be his final Block auction, as he ended up spending $15,030,000 in one day and breaking a Block record by purchasing every single house. Image credits: Nine

Drawings by teen Queen Victoria to go up for auction

A set of 19th century drawings made by a teenage Queen Victoria will be put up for sale at the Old Master, British and European Pictures auction in Roseberys, London next week. A few of the sketches were made when the royal - who reigned from 1837 until her death in 1901 - was still a princess and just 14 years old. Dated July 1833, the drawings depict a knight, a woman, and a veiled woman on a horseback. The fourth drawing was made a year after she ascended the throne, and depicted a woman sitting with a crown and sash, similar to herself, with the inscription: "by Her Majesty." Charlotte Russell, Head of Sales at the auction house, said: "These slightly early drawings show that maybe she was still learning a lot, that she was still honing her craft." "She was very curious and keen as an artist," Russell told CNN. Roseberys set an estimated sale price of £1,500 to £2,500 ($AU2853 to $4755) for the album with the four sketches, as well as works by other artists. Russel added that the album was likely assembled by Augusta Hayter, daughter-in-law of George Hayter, who was the Queen's court painter and painted her coronation portrait. The album also features royal ephemera, including an invitation to the coronation of King George IV at Westminster Abbey in 1821. "I'm interested to see how it performs," Russell said. Queen Victoria was very passionate about art, receiving her first drawing lesson at just eight years old. She went on to be tutored by renowned artists like Edwin Landseer, William Leighton Leitch and Franz Xaver Winterhalter. "She is known to have experimented quite a lot with different subjects," Russel said, adding that Victoria would make "little sketches of costumes of people in the areas" where she travelled. Images: Roseberys Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers via CNN/ Shutterstock

Art

Sydney Airport launches massive auction of lost property

Have you ever lost something at the airport? You're not alone. This year there were more than 2,500 unclaimed items left at the airport including electronics, jewellery and designer handbags, and now they are up for grabs for a fraction of their retail price. The airport has launched their annual online auction, with all the money raised going to the Harding Miller Education Foundation, which grants four-year scholarships to high-school girls with high academic potential who are experiencing disadvantage. Over the past decade, the auctions have raised $1.6 million for various charities. “It’s clear the public love nabbing a bargain in support of a worthy cause," Sydney Airport general manager of corporate affairs Josh Clements said. “There’s something for everyone with plenty of great tech, clothing, accessories and beauty products as well as a host of unique items like a massage table, an electric scooter, a leaf blower and a quintessential Aussie favourite, a jaffle maker (sandwich press),” he added. “It’s great to see these unclaimed items find new homes, while also supporting a charity that’s offering comprehensive scholarships to help level the playing field for high school girls facing disadvantage.” “Opening bids start at just $10, which means shoppers have a chance to grab a great deal while also supporting an impactful charity,” Theodore Bruce Auctioneers director, Casi Prischl, said. The auction runs until Sunday May 12, with the <a href="https://www.theodorebruceauctions.com.au/sydney-airport-lost-property-auction-2024a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complete list of auctions currently open for bids below</a>: <ul> <li>Tech & Gaming - Saturday 4 May to Saturday 11 May, closing at 10am</li> <li>Sunglasses, Bags, Scarves & Accessories - Saturday 4 May to Saturday 11 May, closing at 2pm</li> <li>Jewellery & Watches - Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 10am</li> <li>Clothing - Saturday to May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 2pm</li> <li>Beauty, Alcohol, Home - Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May, closing at 4pm</li> </ul> Goods can be delivered at a price, or picked up by appointment. Images: Theodore Bruce Auctions

Money & Banking

Little girl's Anzac artwork sells at auction for $100,000

A moving artwork created by nine-year-old Evie Poolman has sold for a staggering six-figure sum at auction. Young Evie created the artwork of the 'Lone Soldier' just six months after receiving a devastating diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a deadly type of brain tumour. Evie underwent four brain surgeries and 30 rounds of radiation for her condition but tragically died at the age of nine in June 2021. Now, the artwork - a striking red and orange piece depicting an Anzac standing before a grave at sunset - has been auctioned off by Evie's parents in an attempt to raise money for a cure for the horrible disease. Currently, DIPG has a zero per cent survival rate but despite this, since 2015, less than a million dollars has been dedicated to research in Australia. Evie's parents Chuck and Bridget chose to auction off their late daughter's artwork at the Heels 2 Heal charity lunch in Sydney on Friday, to increase the funding of research into DIPG. The lucky winner, Jo Kinghorn, forked out a staggering $100,000 for the artwork, as she handed over the money "with absolute joy and pleasure". "It was so exciting for me, I've never really experienced anything like that before," Kinghorn, a friend of the Poolman family, told 2GB's Ben Fordham, adding that she hadn't woken up that day expecting to part with so much money. "I'm just so grateful that the painting ended up in my hands." Kinghorn was more than happy to contribute so much money, knowing the funds were going to a good cause. "It's a drop in the ocean as to what is needed, and the government has the ability to properly fund these trials," Kinghorn said of the money spent. "I saw first-hand what this did to a family, and the strength of this family is beyond words. I cannot be more proud. It's just devastating." Image credits: 2GB

Money & Banking

"It's just unbelievable": The Block winners become instant millionaires

Warning! Spoilers ahead The Block 2023 has official drawn to a close, with mixed emotions hitting the renovation couples at a chaotic auction day. Two teams became instant millionaires on Sunday night, while one couple walked away with nothing as their house failed to sell. NSW childhood sweethearts Steph and Gian emerged victorious as this year's winners, pocketing $1.65 million in a record-breaking auction. Their house was purchased for a whopping $5 million after the reserve was set at $3.35 million. Steph and Gian's win is the biggest in Block history, surpassing the $1.586 million last year’s winners Omar and Oz made over their reserve. On top of their auction earnings, the couple also take home the $100,000 prize money. Also becoming instant millionaires were Melbourne sisters Liberty and Eliza, pocketing $1.05 million after their house sold for $4.3 million. WA team Leslie and Kyle placed third in the competition, taking home a more modest profit of $130,000 after their house sold for $3.1 million. All three of those houses were bought by serial-bidder Adrian Portelli, who also purchased last year's winning house. In a bizarre twist, Portelli even bid against himself, repeatedly raising the price by $100,000 despite already having the highest bid. “That’s...never happened before,” said a dumbfounded Scott Cam, while the auctioneer called it “the strangest auction I’ve ever done.” Despite three major auction successes, South Australian couple Kristy and Brett only made a $65,00 profit for their hard work on the season, after their house sold for $3.035 million. In a devastating blow, Queenslanders Leah and Ash failed to sell their home after bids failed to climb above their $2.97 million reserve. After tense negotiations, the team decided to pass a low offer, with the home still on the market. There is some hope for the Queenslanders, as their house could still sell for more than its reserve after auction. Two of the three houses that were passed in during last year’s auctions eventually sold for well over their reserve, scoring their teams respective profits of around $170,000 each. Speaking after their win, Steph and Gian said their were “overwhelmed” and described auction day as “surreal.” “This will change our lives,” they said of their $1.75 million win. “We have no idea what we are going to do with the money yet. It’s going to clear our debts in Sydney. It’s going to set us up for whatever the next stage is. It’s just unbelievable.” Image credits: Instagram

Money & Banking

Princess Diana's dresses fetch an eye-watering sum at auction

Three dresses worn by Princess Diana have sold for $2.5 million (AUD) at an auction in Beverly Hills, California. The gowns were sold in a Legends: Hollywood And Royalty sale, by Julien's Auctions and featured over 1,400 items to celebrate 100 years of Warner Bros. All three dresses sold for six-figures, with one selling for almost triple it's estimated price. Martin Nolan, the executive director, said the record-breaking sale of Diana's dresses "exceeded all expectations". Princess Diana's black and jade gown was the most expensive item, selling for $895,580. The dress was made by Catherine Walker - her personal designer for over 16 years - which she wore to a gala event in Toronto, Canada, in October 1991. The second most expensive dress sold was a red silk dress made by Bruce Oldfield, which she wore to the premiere of Hot Shots at the Odeon Leicester Square the following month. The Oldfield dress fetched a stunning $895,547 - which was almost triple it's estimated $312,000 price tag. The final dress was a custom-made black velvet and ivory gown Diana wore to a private function, which was also designed by Walker, and fetched $796,070. The original price of the velvet and ivory gown was estimated to be around $93,000 - $125,000. The three dresses have not been seen in public for over 30 years, according to the auction house. They were originally bought by American businesswoman Ellen Petho, who bought five of Princess Diana's dresses for $234,000 at an auction in New York. Petho, who passed away in January aged 82, ended up only keeping three of the dresses, which her husband has now sold to help raise money for a scholarship fund for mature art and design students in memory of his wife. Petho's daughter Karrie, told the Mail: "Our mother read the inscription inside [the auction catalogue] about Prince William telling his mother that the dresses should not sit in her closet, that they should be out in the world and doing good. I think that's what inspired her." Image: Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Princess Diana's iconic jumper to be sold at auction

The iconic black sheep jumper worn by the late Princess Diana is going to auction. The woollen jumper was worn by Lady Di to a polo match in Windsor in June 1981, just one month before she married Prince Charles. Soon after Diana wore the garment to the polo match, it was returned to Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, founders of the label Warm & Wonderful because of a tear at the cuff. It was sent back to the designers along with a note from Buckingham Palace, requesting that the jumper be either repaired or replaced. A new jumper was knitted for Diana, with Joanna Osborne believing the original garment has been lost after the replacement was sent to the Princess of Wales, which she wore to another polo match in 1983. However, earlier this year Osborne discovered the jumper, which has been preserved underneath an old cotton bedspread, while searching her attic looking for an old pattern. She got in touch with Sotheby's auction house which has since given the garment an auction estimate of £50,000-£70,000 (approx. $95,000 - $133,000 AUD). It will be auctioned online between August 31st and September 14th. Speaking to <a title="The Telegraph" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/royals/you-can-now-buy-princess-dianas-original-sheep-jumper/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Telegraph</a> UK, Osborne said, "We didn't think we had any of the original sheep jumpers, because at the time, we were so desperate to complete orders that we never owned one ourselves, so I couldn't believe I'd found the original Diana sheep jumper." "It took a while to sink in. And we're so lucky it's not fallen to pieces." Sotheby's said of the now-iconic design, "The Black Sheep sweater is one of the most iconic pieces worn by Princess Diana to ever come to market." "The cultural impact of this moment from the 1980s is exemplified by the head of Rowing Blazers, Jack Carlson, who in 2020, requested to partner with the original designers and license the sheep design to be reproduced for his own fashion line." "The business partners reported an outstanding response from consumers, emphasizing the immortality of Diana's taste and her influence on popular culture." Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

John Travolta’s iconic suit snatches a sweaty sum at auction

John Travolta’s sweat stains have hit the market, snagging a staggering sum, alongside the iconic Saturday Night Fever white three-piece suit. The look rose to international fame when Travolta - as Tony Manero - took to the dancefloor in the 1977 classic, joining Stephanie Mangano for an intense disco dance competition. But it was the film’s promotional imagery that truly immortalised the suit - despite popular, yet incorrect, belief that Travolta had flaunted it during his solo ‘Night Fever’ dance. In posters - as well as on VCR, DVD, and CD covers - Travolta can be seen with his right arm in the air, on a dancefloor, white polyester front and centre. As Costume designer Patrizia von Brandenstein explained to the New York Post, they were looking for “a white, three-piece suit: dressy, inexpensive and polyester. There was a producer who thought a black suit would be more elegant. But heroes wear white; it’s as simple as that. “The pastel suits were nice and pretty, but John’s character is very much a hero. Plus, it needed to be something that a boy who works in a paint store would be able to afford. I think the suit sold for $150 or $200.” Initially purchased off the rack in Brooklyn for $100, the jacket - with matching waistcoat, flared trousers, black shirt, and Travolta’s 45-year-old sweat stains - was expected to fetch up to $250,000 USD (~$374,000 AUD) when it went under the hammer at Los Angeles’ Julien’s Auctions. Despite its distinct lack of a thorough cleaning, the suit did find a new home, with a buyer dishing out a total of approximately $388,692 AUD to call it their own. As a spokesperson for the auction house explained, “This suit is considered to be one of the most iconic costumes in cinema history. It is one of only two known to exist that was used during production. It has never been exhibited or sold at auction before. “It has become emblematic of not only the film but of the whole disco era.” The suit in question was actually one of a few purchased by the film’s costume designer - two were used on set, rotated in and out while the other dried, and another was used for promotional material - and was given to Julien’s Auctions by an anonymous collector who had received it from Saturday Night Fever’s director, John Badham in 1991. As for why the iconic outfit was being sold in its unique condition, the executive director of Julien’s Auctions had a simple explanation. “The sweat is how you know it’s authentic,” Martin J Nolan told The Guardian. “It was incredibly hot during filming, so you can still see the sweat marks around his waist. We never wash memorabilia. People want the stains, the DNA, particularly when a suit like this one hasn’t been auctioned before.” Images: Getty

Movies

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari heads to auction

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is set for auction in California in late 2023, almost 10 years on from its previous sale at ~$14.9 m AUD (~$19.3 AUD in today’s economy). The vehicle, listed by RM Sotheby’s, found its first ever owner in the American actor, and was one of only 330 examples created between 196 and 1968 with bodywork by Scaglietti. And while McQueen had previously owned the car’s convertible version - the N.A.R.T Spider - an accident saw him purchase the coupe from Hollywood Sport Cars’ Chic Vandagriff. When McQueen received the car, it was actually coated in a Nacciola golden metallic paint, but was soon transformed into its iconic red self asking a request from McQueen to his mechanic, Lee Brown. Brown had also worked on the Ford Mustang from McQueen’s Bullitt, and with this job, created the colour known as ‘Chianti Red’. The paint job wasn’t the only custom work that the Ferrari saw, with parts from the N.A.R.T Spider transferred across - including its Borrani wire wheels and its bespoke wing mirror. None of it, however, was enough for the actor to keep the car, with McQueen selling it on to fellow screen star Guy Williams in 1971. From there until 2009, it encountered a number of new owners, before it arrived in the United Kingdom and crossed paths - as a silver vehicle - with retired Australian Formula One driver 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Vern Schuppan. Schuppan had a vision in mind from the moment of the sale, intending to restore the Ferrari to how it had been in the hands of McQueen. It was a big task, and Schuppan had to call in help, even sending the car to Ferrari for restorations. In the hands of the company and its in-house restoration program, the car underwent another painting session - first to its original Nocciola, before it was sprayed back to its Chianti Red roots with a little help from a swatch from Lee Brown. Back in prime condition, the Ferrari made its way to Italy’s Museo Ferrari and then California’s Petersen Automotive Museum, before Schuppan made the decision to sell - also with RM Sotheby’s - in 2014. And while it sold then for a staggering ~$14.9m, an estimate is unavailable for the car’s - likely astronomical - 2023 selling price. Images: RM Sotheby’s

Money & Banking

Jackie O survives "hectic" auction by dropping $13.25m on new home

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has dropped an eyewatering $13.25 million on a home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The radio star recently made the purchase at an auction and was congratulated by her team when she was back on-air. “I don’t know if you liked it, but how good that the paps were filming you,” the show’s newsreader said, referring to pictures taken of Jackie O at the auction that were published in several media outlets. “Actually, you know what? That was kind of good, to have that moment. You would never film yourself at an auction,” Jackie O said, calling the auction “hectic.” The KIIS FM co-host, who recently sold her Woollahra mansion for $13 million, purchased a fixer-upper with breathtaking ocean views in Clovelly. Jackie, 48, was seen at the auction with her daughter Kitty, according to The Daily Telegraph. She came out on top in a relentless bidding war against two others, winning the six bedder with gorgeous views of Gordons Bay. Photos in the publication showed her celebrating with her daughter and financial advisor, David O’Callaghan. The publication also shared artist’s impression of approved plans for a new building on the site. The reason for the move came from privacy concerns in Woollahra, with sources claiming the narrow street made it difficult for her to avoid paparazzi. She initially purchased it in June 2020 for $11 million after leaving her previous Vaucluse home that she shared with her ex-husband Lee Henderson, whom she divorced in 2018 after 18 years of marriage. Kylie Sandilands and Jackie re-signed a contract with ARN in 2019, guaranteeing the pair will remain on-air until the end of 2024. The deal means they get paid more than $39,000 each per show. <a href="http://news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News.com.au</a> reported that the new contracts mean Kyle and Jackie receive $7-8 million each per year. The iconic pair told <a href="http://news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News.com.au</a> in November that retirement plans are not yet foreseeable. “The day I die,” Kylie said in reference to retirement. “We already know Jackie is going to stay on air crying and wearing black for the rest of her life. And then there’ll be 15 years of re-runs. Just like a Friends cast member.” Image credit: Instagram

Real Estate

Melissa Caddick's luxury items auctioned off for a small fortune

Luxurious jewellery dripping with diamonds, prized art and designer handbags all once owned by Melissa Caddick have recently been sold for a fraction of what Caddick was believed to have swindled. The items were sold off piece by piece and the proceeds have been used to repay some of the $23 million that Caddick was accused of stealing from investors in an elaborate Ponzi scheme before her disappearance in November 2020. The final hammer fell on the catalogue of "luxury goods", according "strong interest" from the public driving the total amount raised to $860,000 over three auctions. "The sale of these items represents completion of significant personal assets of the Receivership and our aim was to get this completed before the end of 2022," Principal at Jones Partners, Bruce Gleeson, said. "In particular, the overall prices achieved for the designer clothing and luxury goods and jewellery reflect the strong interest in the various items, specifically the Canturi jewellery collection." From the Canturi collection, Caddick's famous black sapphire and diamond "Stella" necklace with matching earrings, originally valued by auctioneers between $80,000 and $120,000, sold for $130,000. Images: Jones Partners

Money & Banking

Incredible collection of 200 "lost" Elvis Presley items up for auction

A stunning collection of lost jewellery and other memorabilia and items that Elvis Presley gave to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, is going up for auction on August 27 with the backing of his ex-wife, Priscilla. Up to 200 items, including gold rings encrusted with jewels, cufflinks, watches and chains, have been brought together by GWS Auction. Also included is the V-2 guitar played by Presley during his famous 'comeback' TV special of 1968, which alone is listed at US$750,000. Presley's 9.81 carat-to-weight Diamond 'First' TCB ring – where "TCB" stands for "taking care of business"' a favourite expression of the music legend – is also listed for a minimal bid of US$500,000. His 18 karat lion ring, which Elvis wore in the documentary 'Elvis: That's The Way it Is' is for sale too for a minimal bid of US$25,000. Other accessories, including watches, rings and necklaces, are mostly listed between US$1,000 to US$10,000 per item. The King's “Heartbreak Hotel” original lyrics board is also for sale for a minimal bid of US$50,000. Other items in the auction include: The King's "Speedway" Racing Jumpsuit, listed for a minimal amount of US$20,000; his 1976 Harley Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide for US$100,000; his 1973 Lincoln Continental 'Last' Limo for an amount of US$50,000; and his personally owned jet purchased for his father, listed at US$100,000. Many of the jewellery pieces were provided by Priscilla, although she doesn't own them. The lost collection's total estimated value, as well as its current owner's identity, remain unknown and it is also unclear how the items were found. Priscilla has also said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them herself, including artefacts with the logo for TCB Band, the musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Presley's backing band in his later years. She also said she supported the auction in part because she was weary of seeing so many fake Elvis items for sale online. “There is so much product out there that is not authentic at all and that worries me,” she said. “I want to know for sure that that is going to go to someone who is going to care for it, love it.” The auction will be held in Los Angeles, California, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel starting at 10 pm on August 27. Image: Kruse GWS Auctions

Money & Banking

Elvis Presley's childhood home heads to auction

The childhood home of Elvis Presley has been listed for auction - but the once-abandoned little blue house will be sold in an unusual way. Located in Tupelo, Mississippi, the dilapidated structure was home to the King of Rock'n'Roll and his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, from 1943 to 1944. According to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/06/28/elvis-presleys-abandoned-childhood-home-goes-up-for-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a>, the home will be auctioned off on August 14 as part of week-long celebrations of Elvis Week 2022 in Memphis. However, the home has been listed by Rockhurst Auctions with an estimated price of $US 30,000-50,000 ($AUD 44-73,000) and doesn't come with any land. Instead, the house comes completely disassembled, ready to be taken to a new location. “The house itself has been dismantled and taken apart meticulously, so it can be put back together. It is being stored in a trailer,” Jeff Marren, owner of Rockhurst Auctions, explained to The Post. “So when someone buys the house, they’re going to get the whole trailer and the designs for putting back together. “Whoever buys it can actually hire the person who took it apart to put it back together for them.” When the home is put back together again, it's a simple three-bedroom, one-bathroom home with just 117 square metres of living space - a polar opposite to the sprawling Graceland, Presley's final home. Images: Domain.com.au

Real Estate

Impact of Block auction loss on Ronnie and Georgia revealed

A castmate from The Block’s Ronnie Caceres’ time on Celebrity Apprentice has shared a new insight into how he and his wife Georgia handled coming last on the DIY show. The Perth couple had been among the contestants tipped to win the 2021 season, but placed fifth and earned total winnings of $296,000 - a far cry from the $744,000 winning duo Mitch and Mark scored. Now, Ronnie’s Celebrity Apprentice castmate Darren McMullen has revealed that the palpable disappointment the couple displayed on The Block extended to the second show, which was filmed at the same time as The Block’s houses went to auction. The former Voice host told KIIS 101.1’s Breakfast Show with Jase & Lauren that after Ronnie left filming to attend the auction, he came back a different person. “Something changed dramatically after The Block; I think everybody would say that,” he told the show on Wednesday morning. “We were initially segregated into guys’ and girls’ teams - and the boys were really tight; we were winning all the challenges, everything was great. Then Ronnie went down to do The Block auctions in Melbourne and it didn’t go very well; I think they came last. “He came back a different guy.” Despite winning the most room reveal challenges, the couple made the least amount on auction day and even trailed behind the two teams implicated in the season-long “cheating scandal”. Image: The Block

Real Estate

Woman buys her childhood home at auction

A young homebuyer has had an emotional win at auction, as she bought the home she grew up in. The auction was held at the home on election day in the Adelaide suburb of Para Vista, with Ray White’s chief auctioneer John Morris calling the sale a heartwarming result for the young woman. “Gemma was taken home to this house when she was born, and has now bought it back from the owners who her family sold it to in 2014,” Mr Morris said. “As you can imagine, it is a very special sale for her and her partner who was watching on Facetime,” he said. Gemma, 28, was the only bidder and bought the house for $460,000. Despite the emotional connection, Gemma said her childhood home was not originally on her radar when she started searching for a home. “My partner and I already have another house and we had been looking for another property as an investment,” she said. “As we were searching online, the house came up and I was surprised to see it listed for sale.” “We quickly spoke to our bank and decided to go for it.” “As my partner works away we weren’t able to come for the inspections, so I decided to go to the auction nevertheless.” “It was crazy. My parents were there too and it was a super emotional day for all of us.” Gemma lived in the house from 1994 to 2012, where she said she holds many fond childhood memories. “At the moment, I am not looking to move in. We want to do it up and see how it goes,” she said. Image credits: realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Peter Brock's childhood home sells at auction

The childhood home of the late racing legend Peter Brock has sold at auction for $893,000. The three-bedroom weatherboard home in the Victorian suburb of Hurstbridge, 28km north-east of Melbourne, exceeded its price guide of $750,000 to $820,000. As three bidders battled for the property, a local couple won the bid, as Ciaran Brannigan, director of Morrison Kleeman Estate Agents, told <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/racing-champ-peter-brocks-childhood-home-comedian-shane-bournes-house-sells/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">realestate.com.au</a>. The home was last on the market in 2006 when it was sold for just $337,000, decades after it belonged to the Brock family. Mr Brannigan said, "Definitely almost everybody mentioned it [the connection to Brock] but I don't think anyone was bidding because of that." The red-roofed cottage has bee renovated over the years, with both the kitchen and bathrooms being updated to a modern aesthetic. Features of the unique home include a large paved alfresco area ideal for outdoor entertaining, a free-standing studio and a sunny lounge area with a log-burning fireplace. Despite the up to date renovations, old-style charm has been maintained throughout the home with its decorative cornice work and tessellated tiles. Peter Brock first rose to fame in the 1970s when he won the six-hour endurance race for production cars at Mount Panorama Bathurst nine times between 1972 and 1987. He was soon dubbed King of the Mountain and maintained a high profile both as a competitor and commentator on Australian and New Zealand television. The Bathurst 1000 trophy was renamed the Peter Brock trophy one month after his death in 2006. Image credits: Getty Images / realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Teen with “a lot of courage” nabs her dream home at auction

Though she’s fresh out of high school, an 18-year-old has managed to buy her very own dream home.Angela - whose last name has been withheld - beat three other bidders to the punch at the Saturday auction of a 600-square-metre house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage.An estimated 40 onlookers witnessed the sale and were reportedly shocked when they realised the 18-year-old had won.The TAFE student secured the property for $1.025 million, after bidding began at $940,000.Angela was able to afford the million-dollar price due to a medical payout she received when she was younger, The teen received substantial compensation from the hospital where she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, after it was discovered she could have been diagnosed sooner.When she realised she had won the auction, Angela reportedly burst into tears of happiness.Martin Millard, the managing director of the company that ran the auction, said Angela’s win was incredible.“I went up and said congratulations with a little tear in my eye. That’s next level [what Angela achieved],” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/buying/heartwarming-moment-18yo-with-cerebral-palsy-buys-her-first-home/news-story/68aaf2a47ffe2f9e31bd08b1d8b36440" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>.“It takes a lot of courage to bid at an auction.”<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/auction-teen1.jpg" alt="An estimated 40 people watched as the young woman secured her dream home. Image: news.com.au" width="1280" height="720" />An estimated 40 people watched as the young woman secured her dream home. Image: news.com.auWith decades of experience in the real estate industry, Mr Millard said he’s never seen anything quite like what he witnessed at Saturday’s auction.“I’ve seen rich parents’ kids get given houses and things like that,” he said.“And I’ve seen poor parents give their kids houses.“I’ve never seen an 18-year-old turn up to an auction where there’s multiple bidders and win with her own money.”Mr Millard added that it was unusual to see young people buy their own home, but that it wasn’t impossible.Though he has seen 20-year-olds buy homes off their own back, he said there was something different about this that stood out to him.“Eighteen is a lot younger, you don’t see many 18-year-olds,” he said.“My kids’ dad is a high profile real estate (agent) and yet none of my kids have gone out to an auction and displayed that ability.”After finishing her end of school exam last year, Angela is studying a Certificate Three in Early Childhood.Speaking to <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/teenage-battler-buys-1m-home/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">realestate.com.au</a>, she said instantly fell in love with the home but “didn’t know what to expect” from the auction.“I just fell in love with the place as soon as I saw (it),” Angela said.“I didn’t know what to expect. It [the auction] was way more intense than any Year 12 exam.”Angela also hopes that her purchase will show her twin sister, who also has a disability, that they can achieve anything.Image: news.com.au

Real Estate

Jewellery belonging to royal families hits the auction market

A series of beautiful and historically-important jewels are set to hit the auction market next week. They are expected to sell for record-breaking prices, as they are all linked to royalty throughout the world, and spanning hundreds of years. The collection includes a set of sapphire jewels once owned by a member of Russia's ill-fated Romanov dynasty, diamond bracelets from Marie Antoinette's collection and a bangle given to the Duchess of Windsor as an anniversary present from her husband. Two tiaras once owned by Empress Joséphine of France are also included in the sale, along with tiaras owned by other European royals. Jewels by Bulgari, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier are also among the spectacularly glitzy collection. Auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's are auctioning off the items next week to prospective buyers, as visitors try to outbid their chances of owning a piece of history. The big ticket item at the Christie's auction, happening on November 9th in Geneva, is a pair of diamond bracelets that belonged to the last queen of France. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845362/marie-antoinette-jewels.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/528194fee718455bbae20343be1d372e" /> Image credits: Christie's A blue velvet box, labeled 'bracelets off Queen Marie Antoinette', houses the double bracelets, each composed of three strands of diamonds and a large barrette clasp, for a total of 112 diamonds. Now in the possession of a European royal family, the bracelets are said to sell for at $3 million. "To find jewels with over 200 years of French royal history is truly something that collectors and passionate jewellery people from all over the world will be keeping an eye on," Max Fawcett, head of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva, said. Also being auctioned at Christie's is a ruby and diamond bangle owned by Wallis Simpson. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845363/ruby.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9b7a68eaa4d7489b90b0114a72e8a487" /> Image credit: Christie's The former King Edward VIII ordered the Cartier bracelet for his American wife on their first wedding anniversary in 1938 after abdicating the throne. The jewellery is expected to sell for close to $3 million. The bangle features an inscription that reads, "For our first anniversary of June third". Featured at the Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale is a sapphire and diamond brooch and matching ear-clips once owned by the Romanov dynasty of Russia. They are from the collection of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the cousin of Tsar Nicholas II. With a range of other royal jewels up for auction, the auction houses in Geneva are expecting a bidding war that will result in millions of dollars of profit. Image credits: Sotheby's / Christie's

Money & Banking

Outrage over Australia Post auction

Image: Shutterstock Australia post have been slammed for auctioning off undelivered wine, surf-boards and TVs as the postal service grapples with delays. The postal service commonly puts unclaimed items up for auction, but a sale in Western Australia has angered Facebook users. Ever since the start of the pandemic, Australia Post have experienced delays. As warned on their website, the pandemic “has led to a major surge in parcel deliveries, as well as causing disruptions to delivery operations”. Many mail and parcel processing facilities have been affected by temporary closures. There are also fewer flights available to transport parcels. Nevertheless, the most recent auction has angered those on social media. “This is totally unacceptable. Most of these items were lost by Australia post and now they’re trying to sell them back to us. How disgraceful,” one person said. “So this is what’s going on. Australia post ‘loses’ heaps of parcels then miraculously ‘finds’ them only to auction them off,” another added. “Maybe they should just deliver the parcels. I don’t know how many times in the last couple of months they have said we don’t have your parcel and then it has been delivered that week,” a third said. The items for sale include TVs, computer monitors and alcohol. Along with assorted kitchenware for $70, a pack of 25 caps for $115 and an 11-foot tall surfboard for $725. “If an item can’t be delivered due to incorrect addressing and can’t be returned to sender, it is sent to a Mail Redistribution Centre,” Australia post said in a statement to The Daily Mail. “At the MRC, the item will be opened, catalogued and stored for two months. This catalogue is accessible by our contact centre team who will use it to reunite customers with their missing mail.” “If the two-month retention period lapses and the item hasn’t been claimed, all identifying markings are removed and the item will be auctioned with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to charity.” In rare circumstances, when the original intended recipient recognises an item listed at auction, the customer service team works to establish “proof of ownership” and return the item. Last month a photo emerged showing an Australia Post warehouse with a huge number of undelivered parcels. The photo was taken inside Australia Post‘s Sunshine West distribution warehouse in Melbourne. Australia Post recommend all Christmas parcels be sent by December the 13th for them to arrive on December 25th.

Money & Banking

Muhammad Ali’s artworks turn a huge profit at auction

Muhammad Ali’s artworks have sold for almost $1 million at an exclusive auction in New York. The boxer’s little-known passion for art saw him create a collection of works that were sold by Bonhams Auction House recently. The collection included 26 drawings and paintings that Ali created throughout the 1970s, and sold for a collective $945,000. His biggest work, titled Sting Like A Bee, set a record for the athlete’s art as it was sold to a British collector for $425,000. The artwork depicts one of Ali’s boxing ring victories, and was made while he was filming the 1979 movie Freedom Road in Mississippi. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844805/ali-art.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b103d95a1de7494e89c6e99c83a7704e" /> Image credit: Bonhams Auction House The selling price was 10 times higher than the low estimated price of $40,000, showing the works to be in higher demand than previously thought. Also in the sale was a 1979 painting on canvas reading “I Love You America” that sold for $150,000, and a 1967 pen sketch that alludes to Ali’s faith, which sold for $24,000. The works originally came from a private collection belonging to Ali’s confidante Rodney Hilton Brown. Brown was the publisher of a series of editions by Ali based on serigraphs commissioned by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. As part of the World Federation series, Ali created a politically-charged drawing titled Let My People Go, which depicted an enchained African-American man being whipped. The artwork was subsequently censored by the government agency for its graphic depiction of racial violence. The controversial artwork sold for $72,800 at Bonhams, after being estimated at just $40,000. Image credits: Getty Images / Bonhams Auction House

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