Hollywood Quiz Night a blast!
By Pauline Stewart
The Hollywood Quiz Night at Mercury Bay Area School last Friday night, on the first day of Spring was an achievement at many levels. The aim was to raise funds for a much-needed school van, but also to involve the community, engendering their goodwill and their generosity. It worked well, particularly with the auction aspect of the evening and that was further accentuated by a silent auction and raffles. Everything from Barrier Air’s flight and Crowne Plaza accommodation package, Coromandel Lifestyle’s Smart TV, to Kids Zone multiple voucher fun pack, and a $420Auto auto pack, was donated from local businesses and members of the community. The school hall/gymnasium was decorated for a Hollywood glitz event Sound was provided by CFM and the lighting set up a dining/soft disco ambience. Everyone was invited to dress-up in Hollywood character theme. Thirteen tables of eight took part in the Hollywood cinema quiz with series of questions around movie titles, movie stars, movie theme soundtracks, cartoon characters, superheroes, voice overs. Fabian Roberts was the quiz master and compere of the night but also formulated the Quiz. Formerly a teacher at MBAS and now breakfast drive time Host for CFM, Fabian revelled in his role adding wit and youthful pizzazz as well as standing in at the last moment as a dynamic auctioneer (the auctioneer wasn’t able to come). There were prizes for the best themed quiz team and best dressed female and male quiz participant. A number of tables took up the costume challenge with dare and gusto.
The quiz was paused at intervals for live entertainment by very talented vocal and acoustic artists from the student body - Finn McDougall, Poppy Carpenter, Sam Ribet and Sunny Steele. Thank you. They were excellent and in keeping with the context of the evening. Guests could purchase large food platters for their table and the drinks bar, providing wine, beer and soft drinks ran through the evening.
At one point, the table who secured, for $500, the Kids zone multi voucher fun pack to spend in Mercury Bay, donated it back to be re-auctioned again and this time it went for $550. This generosity really added to the energy and spirit of the evening as well as to the amount of money raised.
A school can’t function effectively without the support and involvement of its community. These kinds of occasions provide an aspect of education that a curriculum can’t and encourage teachers and students alike. The Quiz benefitted everyone, not just the school.
MBAS worked very hard and creatively to make this event a success and it was a very fine evening for everyone who went and a feat of organisation for Kathy Moy-Low and her team. As for the van, every week, transport for sports teams, competition in other towns, a ride to local events is needed. There is no other mode of transport. The extra vehicle is essential. The amount raised was………
Well done MBAS.
Caption: This team were called 'Orange is the New Black.'