Gold glitters at Loreto

Twenty-six year 12 students heading to Cambodia as an alternative to schoolies week launched their “Loreto Gold” online auction.

Up for grabs over the next week are a Western Bulldogs jumper signed by Bob Murphy, Luke Dalhaus and Jake Stringer, an autographed Brisbane Lions jumper and a 2016 Geelong Cats team poster signed by all the players.

Another golden experience on offer is a journey 700 metres underground to the heart of Ballarat’s active gold mine while there are also golden tickets available to Regent Cinema’s Gold Class, a corporate basketball box and a Sovereign Hill family pass.

All proceeds will support the New Hope for Cambodian Children Foundation looking after children orphaned by or abandoned due to HIV/AIDS.

Loreto College teacher Courtney Gillingham, who will accompany the group, said they will leave on November 27 and return on December 13, spending a week in the rural Kampon Speu province helping childen with their schooling and working on a specific community project.

Auction organisers and trip participants Emma-Kate McGrath and Jaya Keogh said the money raised would be spent on supporting projects they were visiting, including buying new school supplies, sporting equipment and other items for the children.

“We wanted to celebrate the end of our school year in an alternative way by giving something back to those who haven’t been as fortunate,” Emma-Kate said.

“We would greatly appreciate anyone that is interested jumping online to take a look and get involved in the bidding, so we can raise as much money as possible for these children, who we are sure will be so thankful for anything they receive.”

It is Loreto College’s second alternative schoolies trip to Cambodia, with sight seeing and capital city visits also on the agenda.

Thirty-two items are up for auction on the site, which can be found at 32auctions.com/LoretoCambodiaTrip.