Mangawhai hits the jackpot at Casino night

 

Mangawhai’s recreation centre hummed last weekend with the buzz of glitz and glamour as the Casino Royale Charity evening attracted dozens of James Bond wannabe’s and their lovely ladies in Mangawhai’s ultimate gala night of the year – a fundraiser for the Mangawhai Activity Zone.

The evening was the brainchild of five local couples and conceived over dinner. Honor and Craig Stratton-Parker, Dayna and Bryce Beauchamp, Pit and Kevin Stirrat, Jo and Ricardo Lee and Natasha and John Lee literally took a tiger by the tail for six months in or-ganising the entire event.

Speaking for the organisers, Jo Lee said “We all have children who regularly use the park, and wanted to do something to help the fundraising appeal and what began as a good idea over dinner simply grew into something that ended in spectacular fashion.”

‘Spectacular’ was certainly the word as 240 guests in their finery enjoyed superb catering, courtesy of Vanessa Kerridge of Flaxmere House, Bethells Beach, and her ten staff members who worked like galley slaves to transport and set all the furniture, seating and

settings in the days prior and who kept sumptuous food running throughout the evening. Patrons happily spent their $1000 funny money at the blackjack tables then willingly bid and out-bid each other for some of the 80 items on auction finally adding some $42,000 to the MAZ coffers.

Delivering banter aplenty was host MC Lee Hart and Harcourts auctioneer Chris Kennedy was considered a super-star, his experience showing to advantage as he wrung every last cent out of his audience for the cause. Of the main auction, 11 items alone raised $17,000.

The result was again a triumph for the community as the donation of prizes was quite astonishing.

Guests were treated to an interest-ing address by former Maz Charitable Trust Chairman Simon Bennett and current Chair Colin Gallagher detailing the journey of MAZ since its inception in 2008 from the world-class skate bowl, still-expanding childrens playground, walkways and cycle tracks, multi-sport courts with BBQ and picnic areas and further beautification still to come. 

But the accent was on community involvement and creating a place for the community to enjoy and few could disagree that the goal is being achieved.

To view more pics click on this link