MANY organisations are manned by valuable volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain assets and provide volunteer service in many ways to their communities.

One major thing most small groups do is to fundraise for their worthy cause. One such organisation is the Nagambie Mechanics Institute (NMI) Hall committee and its smaller fundraising group.

In 2023 the small fundraising group held a successful Trivia night to fundraise for a new kitchen.

It was a fantastic community event and fundraising success thanks to the sponsors, partners and to the 141 participants who enjoyed a great night for a great cause.

In November 2023, the NMI held their 150 year celebrations, which recognised all the years the NMI has been established for the wider community and showed appreciation for its many volunteers.

So, this year the Nagambie Mechanics Institute group organised a second trivia night extravaganza.

The hardworking organizing committee from the NMI comprised Cathy Lawrence, Annette Dodson, Traci Stumer, Elisabeth Branagan, Jacquie Spencer and Sissy Hoskin.

They put their hands and hearts together to organize another trivia night.

There was a lot of work behind the scenes to offer another great evening to the community and to support their cause once again to help with the Halls future requirements.

So from all reports on the May 25, second trivia night was a resounding success once again.

Some 102 participants truly enjoyed a very funny and friendly evening.

The quiz master, Ian Moore, captured the audience by conducting not only the trivia night but various games, contests and three major auctions.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and donors, fantastic items were donated for the auctions and for the bar (a big thanks you to Boxgrove and Mitchelton for their donation and to Traci Stumer and Viv Beaumont who were behind the bar).

Hugh Lawrence, the NMI president since 2021 thanked the generous sponsors and the participants.

He said: “The NMI belongs to the community and this event which is run by the community for the community. It appears this is now a yearly fundraising event for the NMI and shows the great community spirit."

"What a fantastic friendly night was had by all who attended and which combined social interaction, fun, and generosity," he said.

The NMI would like to thank the generous sponsors, partners and donors who contributed to the success of the event and to all those who came along and made it a fantastic night for all patrons and a great result for the NMI organising committee.