Almost $10,000 will be donated to support locals in their future careers thanks to the outcome of the Deni Ute Muster’s Tradie Challenge competition.

Four ‘mini mobeel’ creations designed for backyard or playground play were created as part of the competition.

These were then auctioned off to Muster patrons, with the proceeds being donated to the Country Education Fund Edward River Region.

The combined amount raised through the auction was $4600, which CEFERR member Wayne Bradley said would be matched dollar for dollar thanks to a pre-existing arrangement with the CEF.

The local CEF branch has been operating for 15 years, supporting students ages 16 to 25 with their post-school training and education.

The students must have attended school in, or still live in, the Edward River Council area.

The funding enables the young person to subsidise the costs pertaining to their chosen post-school university, apprenticeship and traineeships.

The funding can be used to purchase textbooks, computer related expenses, rent, travel or training related expenses.

Students must demonstrate a financial need and show commitment to their education and career goals.

Funding for students comes from donations and fundraising initiatives hosted by CEFERR, with some scholarships supported by corporate partners.

A mobeel designed to look like a fire truck - complete with garden hose acting as a fire hose - won the On The Go Safety Tradie Challenge.

It was designed and built by an Eltham trio - landscaping business owner Patrick Campbell and his employees Tom Keane and Lachy Mountford.

Their competition winning design sold for $1100 at the auction to Katelyn and James Shephard of Wallan.

It will take pride of place in their backyard, for son Archer.

Lucky Archer will have a second mobeel to play with too, with his grandfather, Steve Shephard buying one of the others auctioned.

Steve outbid his own son and daughter-in-law in pursuit of the mobeel designed to look like a ute.

Designed by a team from Phoenix Fabrication, it placed third in the Tradie Challenge but drummed up an equal top auction price of $2000.

The other mobeel to raise $2000 in the auction was one designed to look like a Mr Whippy van, complete with eye-catching coloured stripes.

It placed second in the Tradie Challenge and was purchased by muster general manager Vicky Lowry.

It will be gifted to Vicky’s soon-to-be-welcomed twin grandchildren, and coincidentally was built by her son Corey Lowry and his teammates Mitch Barry and Joel Lester.

The fourth mobeel, designed to look like a truck and complete with a blackboard in the back, sold for $500 to Deniliquin’s John Mitchell.

It placed fourth in the Tradie Challenge, and was built by a team who called themselves The Water Rats.

A huge crowd turned out to witness the auction, with many placing bids.

Conducting the auction was Lester Wheatley, supported by fellow Ray White Deniliquin agent and business principal Hamish Thomson.

• Applications for CEFERR grants are open now, and can be made online by October 31. Go to www.cef.org.au/foundations/edward-river/ to learn more about the eligibility criteria and to apply.

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Friday, 23rd May 2025

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