By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE High School’s senior VCAL students combined impressive entrepreneurial and philanthropy skills in hosting the 2016 Rotary Club of Healesville Trivia Night on 11 August.
The high school has been a dedicated supporter of the Rotary Milking Cow and Goat Project, which raises money to purchase cows and goats for underprivileged villagers in Kariakomo in Kenya.
The students ran the show, from selling tickets and getting donations of a swag of prizes to taking centre stage on the night for an entertaining night of trivia and games.
Project co-ordinator, Rotarian Wilma Guest spoke about the project, saying it was transforming lives.
She said in villages where a generation had died of HIV AIDS, leaving hundreds of children orphaned, the animals provided milk and in some cases a small income for grandparents left to care for the children.
She said the money raised on the night would go to build a shelter for one of the younger male goats in the village.
“They’re building a bigger shed for Billy, and they’re probably buying some seed and putting in tropical fruit trees, like mangoes,” Ms Best said.
“That will all happen, that’s all possible now.“
The VCAL students owned the night working as a well-oiled team to keep the night flowing and fun.
MC, Bradley Blank, ran a tight program, ad-libbing his way through any potential hiccups, engaging with the audience and taking a no-nonsense stance on any disputed answers.
“I’ve got the answer sheets … and that means I’m right,” he quipped, ensuring the first challenge was the last.
Another highlight of the night was the fast and furious auction action by Rotarian and renowned Healesville auctioneer David Brown, who came out of retirement for the event.
Mrs Best congratulated and thanked the VCAL students and everyone who supported the night, which raised $1800.
“I would just like to say the young ones did such a brilliant job,” she told the Mail.
“They’re a credit to their school; they’re a credit to the town; they’re a credit to their parents – they were outstanding, really.”
She gave her thanks to high school teacher Gabby Plunkett for her part in organising the night.
