Community
17 January, 2025
Community generosity on show
A SPECIAL fundraising trivia night and auction proved to be a rousing success, raising over $4000.
Over 100 people filled the Camperdown Golf Club rooms last Friday to answer trivia questions and bid on a variety of donated hampers to support Camperdown’s Kellarnie Edwards’ fundraiser for the Cure Brian Cancer Foundation, which began last year following her mother, Jan, being diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme.
Organiser Rowena Dunstan said the night was “very successful” and “well-represented by the community”.
“We raised $4040 for the night,” she said.
“We’re blown away - I was hoping for between $2000 and $2500, and to get that amount is just incredible.
“There was no entry fee – there was a token exit fee if people had any money left over, and they were just throwing it in as they left.
“The whole community was so generous.”
George Edwards, father of Ms Edwards and husband of Jan, said surprise special guest Brydon Coverdale – better known as The Shark on the quiz show The Chase – proved to be a hit with attendees.
“I reckon he raised an extra $1300 by walking around the room – you could buy a question help from him for $10-$20. That was really good,” he said.
“Another highlight of the night was Bidge Boyd, who provided the music for the night.
“He was very good – he even got people up doing the Nutbush.”
Ms Dunstan extended her gratitude to businesses across the district who donated auction items, with 31 items going under the hammer as part of the silent auction.
She said another highlight of the night was a poetry reading from emcee Michael Brebner.
“Michael Brebner was our emcee for the night, asking the questions, and he read out a couple of his poems that were relevant to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation,” Ms Dunstan said.
“One was about cancer, and the other was about being grateful for what we have.”
Mr Edwards said, following the trivia and auction night, Ms Edwards’ fundraising total has passed $8000 and extended his gratitude to the Camperdown community.
“Jan and myself have been in Camperdown for 10 years, and both our kids did their university courses at Warrnambool – we always stopped at Camperdown,” he said.
“We always felt a great sense of community here, hence why we ended up retiring here.
“When Jan was diagnosed it really stepped up to the forefront how generous and caring the community is.
“It’s been wonderful. A big thank you to the people of Camperdown.”