The organising committee, Anne Hind, Mel Lyons, Al Phemister, Michaela Pothan and Kim’s daughter Caitlin Nelson, were thrilled with the turnout.

“I don't think Tootsie has ever been so full – shoulder to shoulder and spilling out the side door into the car park,” Caitlin said.

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson, a long-time family friend, officially opened the event and presented a Premier's Award posthumously to Kim, for his contribution to the Yass community.

“Renowned author Brian Caswell also read a poem as an ode to Dad and his artwork 'Red Shawl 3 - Cleansing',” she continued.

A book culminating the record of artworks from the 'Impressions of Kim' exhibition at Kim's memorial service in 2015 was launched, and is now available at Tootsie and the Yass Visitor Information Centre for $20. And, musicians Aluntum Sudnit, Orion and Akira Mandla, Frankie Stone, Chad Croker and Ken McNally provided entertainment.

“Col Medway and Stu Williams did an amazing job at getting the crowd in the bidding spirit,” she continued. “And the spectacle of my Grandma and Peter Walker involved in a heated bidding war was entertaining. I was totally overwhelmed by the amount raised, thinking we might raise maybe half that.”

YASSarts thanked Cath Williams as treasurer, Yarrh wines, Thyme to Taste, and Volley Australia for sponsoring the event, Alex Weaver and Sophie Peer who served guests and Member for Goulburn Pru Goward and Mayor Rowena Abbey for their attendance and support.

“I sincerely thank everyone there for their support. We wouldn't have raised anywhere near that much money if the quality of art wasn't so high in Yass,” Caitlin said. “Our town has a very high percentage of artistic talent, and it's groups like YASSarts and generous people like Dad who help artists and art lovers flourish. I'm looking forward too seeing residents of Yass with fancy feet.”

The committee hopes to begin plans to make the labyrinth at Cooma Cottage permanent with a plaque remembering Kim.