Truckie Alan Ettridge was over the moon last week when the auction inspired by his fundraising efforts raised $20,000 for two rural primary schools.

Mr Ettridge persuaded a long list of local farming businesses to provide a massive selection of items which went under the hammer at Manypeaks hall on June 7.

Organisers said around 100 people turned up on the day to bid, with 18 bales of barley straw fetching more than $1000 and six bottles of champagne — valued at $150 — eventually going for $480.

Mr Ettridge, who owns a transport business, was delighted that Manypeaks and South Stirling primary schools would be sharing such a windfall.

“I am stoked, absolutely stoked, everyone was stoked,” he said.

“The whole event couldn’t have gone any better.

“I am so grateful to the businesses who donated products.

“I thought we maybe had $16,000-worth of stuff, so to go over that was just great.”

Although he has no current personal connection to the schools, which he drives past frequently on his trucking route, his sister used to run the Manypeaks Store and have the school bus run in the 1970s.

“The children my sister used to bus to school in those days are now the parents who attended the auction,” he said.

“Everything was sold and everyone was happy, it was beautiful.”

Fiona Denney, secretary of the Manypeaks Primary School Parents and Citizens Association, said Mr Ettridge’s efforts had been inspiring.

“It was all down to him; he’s done a fantastic job and what he achieved has been totally amazing,” she said.

“He’s the one who deserves the big applause.

“We are very grateful for all the donations, and the money will free us up to do a lot of things.”

Top of the wish list was a BMX track around the Manypeaks school and fixing up playground equipment.

More than 40 local businesses contributed goods to be sold at the auction.