When she first heard news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, Wombarra’s Dianna Watson knew she had to do something to help.
Having visited Kathmandu a few years ago, Dianna knew she could simply write a cheque, but felt this time, she should do more.
So she rallied a handful of capable friends, and set about organising Trivia for Nepal, which will be held at Thirroul Bowling Club from 6.30pm on Saturday May 23.
The small group of wonder-workers have pulled the event together in just days, and are expecting to sell all 190 tickets. They’ve walked the streets of Thirroul and Wollongong, and sent loads of emails to businesses they frequent, and collected prizes that will help raise money on the night.
“Local businesses have been incredibly generous,” says Dianna. “We already have more than $3000 worth which will be given away or auctioned. The Bowling Club has kindly donated use of the room, so everything we raise will go to Save the Children Australia for the Earthquake Emergency Response.”
We have Trivia-Master Iain Johnson running the night, and the theme is Music, Movies and TV Trivia. It’s fancy-dress, and there are special prizes for the best-dressed.
Dianna was touched by the poverty in Nepal. “Even in Katmandu they only have 12 hours of electricity every day,” she says. “On our first night there we heard a massive bang that shook our room. We raced into the street, not really knowing what to do, and saw there had been a gas explosion just up the road. We saw five fireman with no shoes on climbing into the burning building. The next day, the power lines to that building were lying on the road, in the water.”
“Another morning we were having breakfast alongside a human rights lawyer who was trying to negotiate the release of two primary-school aged girls who had been sold into slavery.
“The lawyer had to be forceful, but not push too hard or the trafficker would walk away. We stayed and listened as long as we could, and when we left, it looked as though one of the girls may have been released, but not the other. It was heartbreaking.
“Having said that, it’s an amazingly beautiful place, but the poverty really struck me, and right now, the Nepalese really need our help.”
Trivia for Nepal will be held at Thirroul Bowling Club from 6.30pm on Saturday May 23.
Tickets are $20 or $25 at the door and are available from www.stks.be/trivia-for-nepal-northern-illawarra or have a look HERE
