By Brendan Rees
Through the power of his voice, John Shore has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for those doing it tough.
Today, he has been named an Order of Australia Medalist (OAM) in the 2018 Australia Day Honours List for his service to charitable organisations in the community.
Mr Shore, who lives on a farm with his family in Cranbourne South, has used his auctioneering skills to conduct 15-20 auctions a year to raise money which has included raising $140,000 to re-open a hospital and build seven small homes in Bercy, Haiti.
However, Mr Shore says he never imagined his passion for helping others would one day add an OAM to his name.
“I had never thought that the involvement I have had over the years would lead or in fact warrant an OAM,” he said. “So this has come along as a shock and I am humbled by it.”
“I am very proud to receive it and blessed that all the contacts I have made over the years assist me in doing what I do for a wide variety of charities.”
Mr Shore, who is the director of Ray White Chelsea, says he was particularly touched by a charity event he auctioneered last year for the Children’s First Foundation (CFF) which saved two-and-half-year-old Jack’s life.
Forty-five thousand dollars was raised “with the assistance of some very generous sponsors,” for Jack, who travelled to Australia from Vanuatu to have major brain surgery.
He will now head home in the next couple of months thanks to the surgeons and staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital and CFF Charity.
“Meeting his mum first early last year and seeing the photos of this disfigured little boy and then to meet the new and improved Jack just gives everyone a great feeling of success,” Mr Shore said.
Mr Shore has also used his auctioneering skills to raise money for Rotary, Variety Club, Les Twentyman Foundation, Finnan’s Gift Op Shop Ball, Reach Foundation, CanTeen Australia, Helping Hand Helping Hearts, Children First Foundation and Monash Children’s Hospital.
He is also the co-founder of the Melbourne Op-Shop Ball, since 2011. “The Op Shop Ball was a concept I saw in WA many years ago and thought this will work in Melbourne, guests arrive in any clothing they can find in an Op Shop,” he says.
“Harvey Norman were absolutely fantastic supplying over $10,000 worth of goods each and every year for our spinning wheel, various wine companies sponsored our wine sales, suppliers to our business Ray White Chelsea also all donated auction items.”
He says his business also supports many local charities with their favourite being Pantry 5,000 in Carrum which supplies 150 families with groceries each week .
Mr Shore says making a difference to peoples lives was highly rewarding.
“I am lucky that our business allows me the time to spend on various ventures and will continue to do so,” he said.
“We are going to run the 1st Grand Final Lunch in Chelsea to support local Charities as a joint venture (with the Rotary Club of Chelsea).
“Without the support of my family none of the above would be possible; my wife Linda attends many events with me.”
