Members of the Port Fairy 1A cycling team have being alternating between mastering the power of the pedal and brush.

Each year the team of 10 take part in the Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay to raise money for Moyne Health Services.

This year they are extending that fund-raising beyond the bike to be part of an art auction to be held this Saturday.

The art auction opens at the Port Fairy Consolidated School Hall at 8pm, with complementary finger food and drinks for a $15 entry fee.

Revenue will be generated by the sale of 70 works of art created by local and Melbourne artists.

The works will be sold in a combination of silent and open-forum auctions which will be conducted by real estate agent and auctioneer Garry Lockett.

A similar art exhibition held several years ago raised $22,000, which was used to buy an X-ray machine for the Port Fairy hospital. Port Fairy 1A team member Mark Gervis said the aim was to raise a similar amount this time.

“We spoke to the doctors in town and the head of nursing and asked them to identity something they needed,” Mr Gervis said.

“They have picked out a cardiac monitor, so hopefully we can raise enough money from the night to be able to get that.”

Mr Gervis said the standard of art would be at a high level, with renowned local artists including Jenny McCarthy, Don Stewart and Ruth Walter among those submitting works.

Painting, sculptures, photography and jewellery pieces have been submitted, all in keeping with the theme of ‘Pears, Pairs and Pares’. 

The 1A team members have also all produced a piece for the auction which Mr Gervis said were in varying degrees of quality.

“Some of the riders are very talented artists and then you have mine, which is really bad,” he joked. “But it is all for a great cause and we think it will be a really fun night. We have made it a black-tie evening to make it a little bit more special. 

“It gives everyone the chance to get out of their lycra and into some nice evening wear and dress it up a bit.”