The chips were auctioned off three times at the Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee for Kids (4K) gentlemen’s luncheon, firstly for $1000, secondly for $1600 and finally for a further $1000.

4K’s president Tony Springett said the result was “unbelievable”.

“A few years ago [at the lunch], we had sold all the auction items but hadn’t reached $100,000, so we decided to auction off a bowl of hot chips to raise the last $1000,” he said.

“We couldn’t do that this year because the club’s chef had gone home. So we grabbed a packet of chips from behind the bar counter instead.”

More than 200 men attended the lunch at the Highlands Golf Club on October 20, raising $150,000 for the children’s charity – the highest amount ever made at any 4K lunch. 

Now in its 29th year, the annual luncheon is the primary fundraiser for the 4K charity, which channels funds into support for children with disabilities in the Southern Highlands. 

The highest auction items on the day included a package from the Bowral Co-op that fetched $6200, five days in the Cook Islands that went for $6000, a party for 40 people donated by the Bowral Rugby Club bought for $5500 and a dinner for 12 catered by chef Guy Turland that sold for $4600. 

Over the past 29 years the 4K has raised more than $2.5 million.

“It’s a great cause and a great day. Every little bit helps and every little bit goes toward helping kids with special needs in the Southern Highlands,” emcee Paul Milner said.

And what happened to the packet of chips at the end of the auction? 

“They were put back behind the bar counter,” Mr Springett said, where they will be sold a fourth time for the recommended retail price.