Proving the theory that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure over 60 garage sales were held around Bendigo on Saturday as part of the nationwide Garage Sale Trail.

According to the website there were 10,932 items listed for sale in Bendigo with $18,907 projected to flow on into the local economy.

One of the first sales to set up shop in the morning was the Rotary Club of Bendigo Next Generation which was open for business at 7am to raise money for people who have been affected by the New South Wales bushfires.

 “We saw the Garage Sale Trail ad and thought it was a great way to donate,” explained Meghan Rogers.

“Rotary International supports Disaster Aid. They sent a letter asking members for donations for those affected by the New South Wales fires but we thought instead this would be a great way to raise the money, hopefully we can make a couple of $100.”

Bargain hunters Ray and Liz Benbow, helped them on their way by making an early purchase for the garden.

“We’re just here to have a sticky beak really,” said Ray.

“You never know what you might find.”

Several other organisations also decided to get involved for a good cause including the Bendigo Hawks Aquatic and the Bendigo Sustainability Group..

 “It is a lot to do with our message of being able to reuse stuff, as what some consider trash others consider treasure,” explained group president Keith Reynard.

“Rather than buying everything new, it is about reusing and recycling things which is far more sustainable. It is all about being a little more innovative,’” he added.

Lisa Chesters MP and Sustainability group member echoed his sentiment.

“It is a really good way to raise money for a great community organisation and it helps spread the word about climate change, she said.”

Meanwhile the Golden Square Fire Brigade gathered their unwanted belongings to raise money for a new shed to house a new fire engine which is expected to arrive in November.

“Considering we started this week with barely anything it is great. Random people from all over the place have been donating and last night all this stuff just appeared,” explained Tim McNeilly, whose favourite item is a child’s drum kit that some of the fire fighters are going to sign.

“We have already made a couple of hundred dollars which was what we wanted but it would be amazing if we could reach four figures.

People can get also  a 10 minute massage for $10 courtesy of local masseur Brian Vaughan with all proceeds going to the Golden Square Fire Brigade.

Plenty members of the public also decided to get involved and find a new home for some of their clutter.

“We have garage sales quite regularly and when my husband saw the ad for this his eyes lit up and we thought we’d get the neighbours together,” explained Dianne Bolitho.

“We did one not long ago so it is amazing that we could find enough stuff to put out again,” added her neighbour Kerri Nally.