Grab a bargain at the Sydney Airport lost property auction

Ever wonder what happens to all that unclaimed lost property left on aircraft or at the airport?

At Sydney Airport, lost property is logged and held for two months, during which time hopefully owners turn up to claim their items.

"With 39 million passengers travelling through Sydney Airport each year, thousands of items are left behind at the airport," says Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport managing director and chief executive.

Where possible, owners are contacted directly if the item has been labelled or has contact details.

Any items that remain unclaimed after this period will be sold and the money raised will go to charity.

Each year, applications are sought from charities seeking a donation from the annual auction.

The proceeds from previous auctions have supported charities such as the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, Youth Off the Streets and the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation. Last year's auction raised $154,000 for charity.

This year more than 5000 unclaimed items will be sold by Pickles Auctions in Milperra.

This year's four charities to receive proceeds from the 2015 auction will be the Steve Waugh Foundation, Dymocks Children's Charities, Stewart House and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Items include mobile phones, tablets, jewellery, beauty products, clothing and some more unusual items such as a sleep apnoea machine, microwave, Chinese tea set, sewing machine, vintage telephone and musical instruments.

Click here for more information about the auction.

Auction details (all run from 9am to 9.30pm the following day):

Auction 1, Tuesday, November 10, to Wednesday, November 11

Cameras, camcorders, headphones, games, electrical.

Auction 2, Wednesday, November 11, to Thursday, November 12

iPhones, smartphones, iPods.

Auction 3, Thursday, November 12, to Friday, November 13

iPads, tablets, laptops, IT.

Auction 4, Friday, November 13, to Saturday, November 14

Jewellery

Auction 5, Saturday, November 14, to Sunday, November 15

Perfume, cosmetics, health products.

Auction 6, Sunday, November 15, to Monday, November 16

Sunglasses, footwear, hats, accessories.

Auction 7, Monday, November 16, to Tuesday, November 17

Clothing

Auction 8 - Tuesday, November 17, to Wednesday, 18 November

Liquor, cigarettes

Auction 9 - Wednesday, November 18, to Thursday, November 19

Miscellaneous: homewares, artwork, souvenirs, toys, sporting goods, musical instruments, tools.

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