Two teams of three local personalities entertained a packed house at The Clink Theatre last Friday (27th Sept) at the annual Comedy Debate. 

The evening was adjudicated by Cairns comedian, Matt Manns, who adjudicated the question of “Does money buy happiness?”. 

Butcher Todd Malone, Za Harricharan from Sky Safari and team captain and computer wiz, Dave Morrison, held fast to the view that money could not buy happiness, while Newsport Publishing’s Roy Weavers and defending 2012 debate champion team members, Melea Turnbull, and captain and tour guide extraordinaire, Ben Radford, tried to convince the audience the opposite was true.

Throughout this titanic battle, the audience was treated to a bombardment of graphs, videos, over-acting, props, lots of free hugs and, in many cases, a whole series of ‘off the wall’ arguments that kept the giggles coming and a perpetual competitive edge bubbling under the surface.

Despite the affirmative team of Melea, Roy and Ben grabbing the lion’s share of the laughs and incomparable musical prowess, their arguments could not win the day.

And with the audience’s sigh of relief, MC Bruno Bennett, declared the winners Dave, Za and Todd confirming money does not buy happiness.

Congratulations to Claire Tierney and her Portfolio Productions team for yet another brilliant success.

PICS Kerry Larsen