This year’s Romance Writers of Australia 2026 conference Romance Queens of the Desert will see the return of the silent auction online so anyone can participate! You’ll be able to place bids via the 'auction' tab above. All funds raised go to the Members Assistance Fund (MAF) which helps members who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford the trip to the conference, come along! The site will close at 1pm on 23 August 2026 in preparation for the winners to be announced during the Closing Ceremony at 3.45pm. Make sure you get your bids in before 1pm on 23 August! Note, this website doesn't allow for Australian Central Standard Time, so this will close at 1pm AEST. Can’t make it to Darwin for the conference? No problem — you can still take part in the auction online! Just arrange for a friend who’s attending to collect any physical items for you. Some donors are covering shipping costs (these items will be clearly marked), but please check each listing before bidding. Please note: all purchases incur a 1.75% merchant fee + $0.30 per transaction. This fee is charged through the website provider, not RWA. No refunds can be given, so please double-check before purchasing or bidding. If you have any questions or need help navigating the process, email us at rwausconference@romanceaustralia.com. Happy bidding — and good luck!