Victoria Stone-Meadows

Trivia fundraising night at the Central Hotel in Port Douglas is set to be the biggest event yet with community coming together to raise funds to end violence in the community.

K-Star Trivia, in conjunction with the Central Hotel and with the support of Women Supporting Women of Douglas, is aiming to raise thousands for the Domestic Violence Counsellor at Mossman Support Services.
Event organiser Kevin Eldridge said the timing of this event is particularly pertinent, as shown by the huge swell of community support for the trivia night.

“We felt in light of current situations, both locally and nationally, with the occurrence of violence in the community, not just against women but generally, and not just in the home but in schools and workplaces and in public, that an anti-violence campaign would be well supported,” he said.

“We were right, the support has been phenomenal.

“We’ve got potentially 200 people attending and we’ve been inundated with offers both solicited and unsolicited.”

Mr Eldridge said they have received about $8,000 worth of prizes for the trivia night and are ensuring that the money raised will go to helping those that need it.

“We’ve has great support from the business community but noticeably also from lots of individuals who have had some sort of experience with violence, which unfortunately is too many people,” he said.
“It’s a cause which is close to people’s hearts.”

Mr Eldridge said they chose the Mossman Support Services and the Domestic Violence Counsellor as the recipient of the funds because the community centre can help effect a change in attitudes. 

“That’s where the money will go because a) it stays in The Shire and b) the funding for the specific domestic violence counsellor can be supported,” he said.

“I think, most importantly, it’s the preventative measures the youth center offers and through this they will have funding to run specific programs for youth to educate them on why it’s not okay to use violence against anyone at any time.”

The event has had such a positive reaction within the community that the Central Hotel have had to rustle up extra seating just for the event.

“If you are going to come, come early,” Mr Eldridge said.

“It’s going to be the biggest one in seven years.”

The Trivia Night to end violence will kick off from 6pm on Wednesday, 14 November at the Central Hotel, Port Douglas.