Ray White auctioneer Tim Obern recently called an auction at the Christie Marceau Trust Charity Dinner – helping the trust raise $25,000 to help teenage scholarship recipients experience an Outward Bound expedition.
The youngest daughter of Brian and Tracey Marceau, Christie Marceau was a vibrant and bubbly 18 year old woman who had only just completed examinations for her first year of University before her tragic death. In memory of their daughter the Marceau’s established the Christie Marceau Charitable trust to continue Christie’s legacy and allow a chance for a contribution to be made to society in her name – with the money raised providing scholarships for teenagers to attend Outward Bound expeditions.
Tim Obern met the Marceau’s through working with Nicky Hattam from Ray White Birkenhead who the family had chosen to sell their family home through after Christie’s passing. Tim was later then asked to assist the Marceau’s by calling the auctions at the fundraising dinner – where a variety of high value items were to be auctioned. The event was well attended, and the crowd were keen to spend and support the cause. “It was a fantastic night and we were very thankful for the support from the Ray White Birkenhead team.” Tracey enthused “Tim was amazing and certainly raised the enthusiasm of all to bid. It was thrilling.”
Encouraged and inspired by his mother’s real estate success, Tim has long been a part of the real estate industry. Starting in sales, in 2004 at the age of 18, Tim, who had a performance background being involved in bands as both a singer and musician – was naturally drawn to stepping up and calling a few auctions. He was then approached by the previous chief auctioneer at Ray White – Mark Te Whare who saw Tim’s potential and asked him to be his protégé. When Mark moved to Australia a year later, he handed his business over to Tim. Working from the Ray White Manukau office and with some of the highest performing agents from the North Shore in Auckland all the way down to Napier, Tim put over $200,000,000 worth of property under his hammer in 2012, further expanding his business in 2013. One of the youngest esteemed auctioneers in New Zealand Tim has supported and attended Young Professionals In Real Estate (YPIRE) events since its 2013 launch in New Zealand. Tim brings the enthusiasm of youth, as well as experience and knowledge to his role.
As well as calling an average of 13 auctions every week, including residential, commercial and rural, Tim will often volunteer to assist with charity auctions. “I take every opportunity to call charity auctions,” he says “I enjoy them and it’s great to get involved with and get to know people in the communities that I promote.” Ray White considers supporting the community as a key component of its business and giving back is a priority. Graeme Fraser, Auckland Business Performance Manager for Ray White New Zealand commented that “There are numerous charities out there that pull at the heartstrings and are deserved recipients of time and monetary support. Our auctioneers are a key provider of this time and support in what is an important way of supporting charities and groups looking for financial assistance. Tim Obern will go above and beyond the normal levels of support an auctioneer can provide in these circumstances, rising to the challenge with a resounding Yes!! When asked. He will always make himself available to help and support our salespeople and business owners when asked for help.”
Graeme Fraser further praised the effort and achievement of Tim and Nicky. “Well done Tim and Nicky in helping raise funds for the Christie Marceau Charitable Trust, a truly worthwhile organisation raising funds in the memory of Christie Marceau.”