"A Little help from my friends" Fundraiser Gig success

On Saturday night last the fundraiser Gig for Gordon & Sue of Verona who lost their home during the 2019/20 bushfires and subsequently got ripped off by a shonky builder, went off like a house on fire (excuse the pun).

Approximately 100 enthusiastic supporters of the cause came out on a night that could have presented anything weather wise, but as it turned out the weather held out and the fire pits provided the ambience and warmth for people to enjoy being outside….and for the rest the dance floor was a rockin’ all night long..

The night started with some excellent food prepared by Elisha Hawkins as always catering for all requirements and then outside “Djembe Forte” an African drumming group got everyone going with some high energy drumming and interactive dancing under one of the mega marques supplied by Les Hawkins …In the mean time Jody McKenzie-Smith as always was busily putting in.. selling raffle tickets for a fantastic array of prizes donated by many generous businesses and people within the shire.

Sue Demarco addressed the crowd with a nice thankyou appreciation speech that was heart felt and received with warmth from everyone..

ChangoTRee a great now local band who initiated the idea of the fundraiser gig went to it and tore the house down with some of their “Swamp Bluesy Rock” mainly stuff from their latest album” Postcards From Tomorrow” which certainly got the dance floor humming..

When Chango finished we got Sue & Gordon to draw the raffle prizes of which there were many…in particular a Table Tennis Table set from Sports Power an Air Cooker from Betta Home Living and a BBQ from Mitre 10 in Bermagui, a very large trailer load of seasoned Iron Bark firewood split and delivered by Phil Jenkins of Narooma and an anonymous donation of 4 dozen premium bottle of wine….to name a few great prizes……. Plus many more from the list of sponsors below.

Mojo then hit the stage and let rip with an array of classic rock n roll covers from the 70’s 80’s and beyond absolutely rockin the house down until after 5 encores they finally ran out of songs but by this stage everyone had been jiving for hours and the night couldn’t have been better…

Thanks so much to all the bands for performing for free!… and Phil Phree and the lighting girls Grace & Rosie for looking after the sound and lights, thanks also to the Murrah hall committee for their overwhelming support for the gig

A huge thankyou goes to Coles in Bega for providing all the meat and water and other supplies needed including a Marque delivered onsite for us, they couldn’t have been more helpful and thanks to Theo from Pambula Fruit Market for providing all the salad ingredients and onions.

The bread was supplied by “In the Mix” bakery in Bega & “Cobargo Bakery”

Thanks to Woolworths in Bega & Bermagui both provided $100 vouchers & Merimbula for a $50 voucher and the CWA ladies for all the muffins and Candelo Community Pantry for all the Tea n Coffee.

An extra special thankyou must go to Lee Clarke for her huge effort in coordinating this event and making it such a success…Dotting the I’s & crossing the tees makes all the difference to success or not, Lee left no stone unturned.

Also Elisha Hawkins with her massive effort in gaining sponsors for the raffles and her preparation of the food was as always incredible….thanks to Les her hubby for his efforts and the two massive marquees...many hands make light work especially on the night thanks to Lynden Ferris, Paul Caruana, Neil Charnock for being gatekeepers and thanks to the birthday girl Leea Ferris for all her help and support as always…and Rowan Dixon for the fire pits.. Merimbula Sailboard n Boardrider’s club for the mega BBQ

All in all we made approximately $4000 on the night to help Sue & Gordon get their insulation paid for and Spray creting underway. We are still waiting on a decision from Bega Cheese as to whether they can make a significant cash donation….fingers crossed!

We are blessed to be surrounded by wonderful caring community who rally when required to help those in need

If you missed the night and would still like to help out you can donate through their GO Fund Me page https://shorturl.at/inJLU

List of suppliers and raffle sponsors

Coles Bega Betta Electrical

Sports Power Bega Chemist Warehouse

Mitre10 Bermagui Burragate Organics

Better Home Living Bega Ryefield Hops

Woolworths Merimbula Pambula Fruit Market

Woolworths Bega In the Mix Bakery Bega

Woolworths Bermagui Murrah Hall Commitee

Cobargo Bakery Khuba Bega

Furniture One Bega Betta Electrical Bega

Lisa Jane Beauty Bega Tough As work Wear

Mals Pizza Bega Mitre 10 Bega

BBQ Galore Dan Murphys Bega

Super Cheap Auto Nourish Merimbula

Pleveys Chemist Bega Shari Lea (Organite)

CWA Ladies Candelo Stockfeeds

Honorbread Bermagui Phil Jenkins (Firewood)

Community Pantry BBQ’s Galore

Potoroo Palace Repco

Big W Smart Dollar

Affinity Hair Design