Community & Business
3 October, 2024
Night with Tenori raises over $35k for Prader-Willi
Saturday’s Night with Tenori was labelled “absolutely brilliant” and well supported by the Pittsworth community, raising a net profit of more than $35,000 for the Prader-Willi Research Foundation of Australia (PWRFA).
Approximately 170 people enjoyed the sold out performance by tenor vocalists, Tenori.
A number of items were auctioned during the performance interval producing $4800, and almost $5000 was raised from raffle tickets.
The evening was organised by Kate and Mark Droney, in support of their great nephew Jack Munk, who was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) when he was one week old.
PWS is a complex condition that affects almost all of the systems of the body, and research to improve treatments and clinical outcomes is the main focus of the foundation.
This is the second time the event has been held in Pittsworth, having raised almost $20,000 in 2022.
Despite the success of the evening, the best-laid plans do sometimes go awry.
The event was to be hosted at “Twin Creeks”, the property of Mr and Mrs Droney, looking out over stunning views of the Pittsworth landscape.
However, the recent rain, which was still falling from the heavens on Saturday morning, meant a new venue had to be sourced.
Without any hassel, St. Stephen’s Mackillop Hall was offered as an alternative venue, free of charge.
Mr Droney said their slogan for the year, including at the Charity Draft that was held earlier in the year for PWRFA, was “You get by with a little help from your friends!”
He said it was tremendous to see so many community minded volunteers jump in and lend a hand.
Under the watchful eye of Anita Mahon, a number of volunteers organised and distributed the food that had been prepared for the evening, predominantly by Mrs Droney, while volunteers from Pittsworth Campdraft ran the bar.
Karl Radke, known by many as “the lone fencer” provided more entertainment on the night, shaving off his lock of curls in support of the Prader-Willi cause.
Tenori delighted audiences throughout the night with a number of operatic classics.
One audience member commented on how fortunate the community was to be able to enjoy such a performance - not at the Opera House or in Brisbane, not even at the Empire Theatre - but in our very own town here in Pittsworth.
“What gets us is the whole support behind it that comes from Pittsworth, it’s just incredible,” Mr Droney said.
