An exuberant 200 strong audience attended Support Act Victoria’s inaugural Great Celebrity Trivia Night held at the fabulously refurbished Trak Showroom in Toorak on 15th October. You’ve heard about duelling banjos but this night was all about duelling MCs as Dickie Knee’s alter ego, John Blackman and the appropriately named Wilbur Wilde took everyone on a ride down musical memory lanes. The good natured sparring between John and Wilbur set the mood for the audience to get right into the swing of things. Nothing was taken too seriously and, after some spirited brainwork (some may say guesswork) from the crowd, the perspiring folk at John Swan’s table were declared winners.

Then it was time for top level entertainment as the stage opened up for nearly two hours of non stop revelry. Performers donating their talent and time and energy for the cause of Support Act included the aforementioned Swanee, Russell Morris, Jim Keays, The Vanilla Supremes, Lisa Edwards and Michael Cristian, Ron Peers, The Mid Life Crisis Band, Kim Denereaz and all the fine players who stepped up to make the closing song one of the best renditions of IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP this side of AC/DC.

The Events committee, headed by the tireless Garry Spry, worked long and hard to make this event a ‘must attend’ for next year’s social calendar. Sponsorship played a great part in maximising the income. Special thanks go to Bendigo Bank, Mt Langi Ghiran Wines, Pier 10 Wines, Lamberti Brothers, HAG Wholesalers, Plumms Restaurant, Amstel Golf Club, Resolution X Lighting, Arthur Murray Motor Inn, Visible Ink and Dianne Buettel’s Oscar Services. Many others were in there too, including John Blackman and Wilbur Wilde who donated their manic and hilarious talents, with additional questions (and answers) from Alan Howe, Dom Barbuto for invaluable help with marketing and printing and Jamie Nasser, who donated the Trak Showroom which must be one of the best venues in Australia. With events like this there are many willing hands who contribute so apologies to those who have not had a proper name check. Our thanks go to you all for your generosity and a wonderful job well done.

In the aftermath of the event it was so gratifying to hear positive feedback from those who attended so on behalf of the committee: Garry Spry, Jill Moffitt, Mae Parker, John Grant, Frank Howson, Vic Crump, Sara Hood, John Swan, Michael Snelson and Julie Cavanagh, I would like to emphasise that we’ll be back with another Great Celebrity Trivia Night to blow those musical memory cobwebs away next year. Watch this space.

Keith Potger
Chair, Support Act Limited Victoria